RE9 Difficulty Modes: Modern vs Classic vs Insanity

Resident Evil 9: Requiem offers four distinct RE9 difficulty modes, each dramatically changing the gameplay experience. Choosing the right difficulty affects enemy behavior, resource availability, save mechanics, and even puzzle solutions. This guide provides a complete breakdown of every difficulty option so you can select the mode that matches your skill level and playstyle.

All Difficulty Modes at a Glance

RE9 features four difficulty tiers, three available from the start and one unlocked after completing the game.

Casual Difficulty

Casual is designed for players who want to enjoy the story and atmosphere without punishing combat. Enemy health and damage are significantly reduced, ammunition and healing items are plentiful, and auto-saves occur frequently.

Best for: Story-focused players, newcomers to survival horror, accessibility needs.

Casual Mode Details

• Enemies deal approximately 40% less damage than Standard Modern
• Healing items are 50% more common in item pickups
• Auto-aim assistance is enabled by default
• Puzzles have optional hint prompts after 60 seconds
• No changes to puzzle solutions or enemy placement

Standard Modern

Standard Modern is the recommended starting difficulty for most players and the mode that the game is balanced around. It provides a fair challenge with enough resources to survive if you play carefully, without the punishing save restrictions of Classic mode.

Best for: Most players on their first playthrough, balanced challenge seekers.

Standard Modern Details

• Balanced enemy health and damage (baseline values)
• Resources are distributed to require some inventory management but not constant scarcity
• Unlimited manual saves at typewriters plus frequent auto-saves
• No hint system for puzzles
• Parrying timing is standard width

Standard Classic

Standard Classic is where RE9 pays tribute to the original survival horror experience. The most significant change is the save system: Grace can only save using Ink Ribbons at typewriters, adding a layer of tension and resource management that veteran Resident Evil players will recognize.

Best for: Veteran RE players, those seeking classic survival horror tension.

Standard Classic Details

• Enemy damage is approximately 20% higher than Standard Modern
• Fewer healing items and ammunition in the environment
• Grace uses Ink Ribbons for saving (approximately 30 found per playthrough)
• Leon has unlimited saves but no auto-saves
• Safe codes and some item locations are different from Modern mode
• Crafting material distribution is reduced

Ink Ribbon Locations

Ink Ribbons are scattered throughout Grace's areas. Key locations include:

• Starting area desk drawers (3 ribbons in the Wrenwood Hotel)
• Typewriter rooms typically have 1-2 ribbons nearby
• Safe rooms almost always contain at least one ribbon
• The Care Center has the highest concentration of ribbons in the game

Insanity Difficulty

Insanity is the ultimate challenge in RE9 and is only available after completing the game on any other difficulty. It fundamentally changes the game with altered enemy spawns, different safe codes, relocated items, and a brutally punishing damage model.

Best for: Skilled players on their second or third playthrough, CP farmers, completionists.

What Changes on Insanity

Insanity is not just "harder enemies." The game undergoes significant structural changes:

• Enemy spawns change: Enemies appear in different locations and combinations than other difficulties
• Safe codes change: Every safe and lock combination is different from Standard modes
• Item locations shift: Key resources are moved to different spots, forcing you to re-explore
• Both characters use Ink Ribbons: Leon now has limited saves like Grace on Standard Classic
• Enemy damage is extreme: Two to three hits will kill you from full health
• Resources are minimal: You will constantly be on the edge of running out of everything

Tips for Insanity Difficulty

1. Complete the game at least once on Standard to learn layouts, boss patterns, and puzzle solutions
2. Unlock infinite ammo for the handgun before attempting Insanity to save precious resources
3. Master parrying because ammo scarcity means melee combat becomes more important
4. Use third-person camera for better spatial awareness against relocated enemies
5. Save Ink Ribbons for before boss fights since losing progress on Insanity is devastating

Can You Change Difficulty Mid-Game?

You can lower difficulty at any time from the pause menu without penalty. However, raising difficulty mid-game is not allowed. If you start on Standard Modern and find it too easy, you must begin a new playthrough on Standard Classic or Insanity.

The one exception is Insanity, which cannot be switched to or from mid-game. You must start an Insanity playthrough from the beginning.

Recommended Difficulty Progression

For the best overall RE9 experience, we recommend this progression across multiple playthroughs:

1. First playthrough: Standard Modern — learn the game, choose Release Elpis ending
2. Second playthrough: Standard Classic — experience the classic survival horror tension
3. Third playthrough: Insanity — the ultimate challenge with full game knowledge and infinite ammo support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best starting difficulty for RE9?

Standard Modern is the best starting difficulty for most players. It provides a balanced challenge without punishing save restrictions. Read our beginner tips for advice on making your first playthrough as smooth as possible.

How do you unlock Insanity difficulty in RE9?

Complete the game once on any difficulty. Insanity unlocks after the credits roll on your first playthrough, regardless of which ending you chose or which difficulty you played on.

Do safe codes change on Insanity difficulty in RE9?

Yes. Every safe code, lock combination, and password in the game changes on Insanity difficulty. Solutions from Standard Modern and Standard Classic will not work. You need to find new clue documents with the updated codes throughout each area.

Can you earn trophies on Casual difficulty in RE9?

Yes. All trophies and achievements are available on every difficulty except the "True Survivor" trophy, which requires completing the game on Insanity. There is no penalty for playing on Casual.

Are there Ink Ribbons in RE9?

Yes. Ink Ribbons appear on Standard Classic (for Grace only) and Insanity (for both characters). They limit how often you can save at typewriters, adding a resource management layer reminiscent of classic Resident Evil games.

Now that you understand every RE9 difficulty mode, start your first playthrough with our walkthrough hub or review the beginner tips for essential survival strategies across all difficulties.