Capcom Confirms Leon’s Full Return in Resident Evil Requiem

Leon S. Kennedy Officially Reclaims a Central Role

After months of speculation that split the Resident Evil fanbase, Capcom has now fully confirmed Leon S. Kennedy’s return in Resident Evil Requiem.

The confirmation arrived during The Game Awards 2025, where Leon was shown older, more experienced and unmistakably battle-hardened. Despite the passage of time, he remains a dominant force against bio-organic threats, once again facing a world overtaken by zombies and biological horrors.

Capcom has been careful to stress that Leon’s inclusion is not a superficial nod to fan service. As one of the franchise’s most recognisable characters, his role in Requiem has been carefully designed to respect both his legacy and the introduction of a brand-new protagonist.

Equal Gameplay Time for Leon and Grace

In a recent interview with Automaton, director Akifumi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumuzawa confirmed that Leon and Grace will receive equal gameplay focus throughout Resident Evil Requiem. The game adopts a dual-protagonist structure, with the narrative shifting between the two characters as the story unfolds.

While Leon and Grace exist within the same timeline, their experiences are intentionally distinct. Leon represents confidence, competence and survival experience, while Grace is described as one of the most fearful protagonists Capcom has ever written. This contrast underpins the game’s pacing and structure.

Action and Survival Horror by Design

Capcom explained that the tonal split between the two characters is deliberate. Leon’s sections lean toward action-driven gameplay, reflecting his extensive combat training and crisis-response experience. Grace’s segments, by contrast, focus heavily on pure survival horror, emphasising vulnerability, limited resources and psychological tension.

Nakanishi compared the transition between the two playstyles to “jumping into cold water after sitting in a sauna,” highlighting how the constant shift in tone is meant to keep players unsettled and engaged. The approach allows Resident Evil Requiem to explore both sides of the series identity without compromising either.

A More Mature Take on Leon

From a character perspective, Capcom acknowledged that Leon’s appeal has always been tied to more than just his looks. According to Nakanishi, Leon’s defining traits are his calmness under pressure, selflessness and quiet humility. In Resident Evil Requiem, those qualities are paired with a more mature personality that reflects his age and experience.

The team described this iteration of Leon as having subtle sarcasm and an “older, charming uncle” presence. Nakanishi also noted that the response to Leon’s reveal trailer has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing Capcom’s confidence in the direction taken.

Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.