Speculation is swirling among fans about the potential return of iconic character Leon S. Kennedy in the upcoming resident Evil: requiem. However, Capcom has directly addressed these theories, offering a clear explanation for why the seasoned agent isn’t the star of their next horror-focused entry. This statement comes alongside new details about the game, its direction, and its confirmed protagonist.
During a recent Capcom Spotlight 2025 broadcast, Resident Evil: Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi shared insights into the game’s design philosophy and the choice of its main character. Leon, a fan favorite known for his appearances in Resident Evil 2, 4, and 6, was notably absent from the new gameplay footage shown. This absence was significant enough that Nakanishi provided an unprompted explanation.
Crafting Horror: Why Leon Isn’t the Right Fit
Nakanishi didn’t mince words when discussing the decision not to feature Leon as Requiem’s primary protagonist. He explained that while the idea was considered, making a pure horror game centered around Leon proved challenging. A character with Leon’s combat experience and survival skills simply wouldn’t react to terrifying situations in the way the developers wanted the player to experience them.
“He wouldn’t jump at a bucket falling,” Nakanishi remarked, highlighting Leon’s composure. The director felt that depicting Leon constantly scared by minor threats wouldn’t align with the character fans know and love. Ultimately, Nakanishi concluded that Leon is “actually quite a bad match for horror” when viewed through the lens of traditional survival horror tension. This perspective emphasizes Capcom’s intention to pivot back towards the series’ scary roots with this new title.
Introducing Grace Ashcroft: A Protagonist for Pure Horror
Instead of Leon, Resident Evil: Requiem introduces Grace Ashcroft as the main protagonist. She is an FBI intelligence analyst, a background that provides her with both specific training and a vulnerability better suited to a horror narrative. Nakanishi described Grace as “introverted and easily scared,” marking her as a distinct character type for the long-running franchise.
The goal with Grace is to have the player share the protagonist’s fear and uncertainty. “We wanted someone that experiences horror from the same perspective as the player,” Nakanishi stated. This design choice allows for a more immersive and traditional horror experience. While Grace is easily intimidated, she also possesses the analytical skills and training expected of an FBI agent, including proficiency with firearms. This blend of fear and capability means she learns to overcome her fears throughout the story while still being able to act decisively when necessary.
Gameplay & Setting: A Return to Raccoon City’s Shadow
Resident Evil: Requiem takes players back to the infamous Raccoon City, though not as it was during the 1998 outbreak. The game is set 30 years after the city’s destruction by a missile strike, a catastrophic event depicted at the end of Resident Evil 3. This places the narrative decades into the future, exploring the legacy of the Umbrella Corporation’s actions. The “enormous crater” mentioned in the announcement trailer is a direct consequence of this history. Capcom deliberately chose the title “Requiem” to signify the game as a “eulogy to those who came before,” directly linking it to the tragic events of Raccoon City.
Gameplay revealed during the Capcom Spotlight showed a significant feature: the inclusion of both first-person and third-person perspectives. Players can reportedly switch between these viewpoints at any point in the campaign. The first-person perspective is designed to amplify horror immersion, creating “tense, realistic gameplay” as Grace navigates dark, eerie environments, often illuminated only by a lighter. Snippets showed encounters with unsettling humanoid creatures emerging from shadows.
The third-person perspective offers the familiar over-the-shoulder camera seen in recent remakes. Developers noted this view is “great for people who enjoy action-heavy gameplay,” allowing players to see “more of the action.” While both perspectives feature exploring cramped corridors and poorly lit areas, the developers emphasize that first-person is heavy on horror, aligning with Grace’s character and the game’s primary focus. The game also deliberately features urban environments, a choice made by art director Tomonori Takano to differentiate Requiem from the more rural settings of Resident Evil 7, Village, and the RE4 Remake, focusing on a “modern drama.”
Abandoned Concepts & Refocusing on Core Horror
Interestingly, Resident Evil: Requiem underwent significant experimentation in its early development phases. Director Koshi Nakanishi and producer Masachika Kawata confirmed that ideas for an open-world structure and even online multiplayer were explored. A brief glimpse of these abandoned concepts reportedly showed multiple characters engaging in action-heavy combat.
However, the development team ultimately concluded that these experimental directions didn’t align with fan expectations or the core identity of Resident Evil. The decision was made to “go back to the drawing board” and return to the series’ traditional strengths: single-player, offline survival horror. Kawata noted that despite this shift, they “managed to pack a lot into this game,” suggesting a robust return to form. This development history further underscores Capcom’s commitment to making Requiem a horror-first experience, validating their choice of a protagonist like Grace over the action-ready Leon for this specific direction.
Is Leon Secretly Appearing? Speculation Persists
Despite Capcom’s clear explanation for why Leon isn’t the main horror protagonist, speculation among fans about his potential involvement hasn’t entirely died down. The initial trailer, featuring the Raccoon City setting, sparked numerous theories. Sharp-eyed fans pointed to potential clues, including what appeared to be Leon’s old truck still parked near the ruins of the Raccoon City Police Department (RPD) as seen in Resident Evil 2.
Nakanishi’s comments, although clarifying the main character choice, didn’t definitively state that Leon would be entirely absent from the game. The director’s specific phrasing – that Leon is a “bad match for horror” – has fueled speculation that he might appear in a different capacity. Given the inclusion of a third-person perspective noted as being good for seeing “more of the action,” some fans theorize that Leon could feature in more action-oriented segments, perhaps as a supporting character or in a separate scenario.
The Resident Evil series has a history of balancing horror and action, sometimes shifting the focus between entries. The immense popularity of the action-heavy Resident Evil 4, starring Leon, is well-known. It’s possible Capcom might still be holding back reveals of more action-packed gameplay moments where a character like Leon could potentially fit more seamlessly than in the tense, horror-focused segments centered on Grace. With the game’s launch set for February 27, 2026, there is still ample time for Capcom to reveal more about Requiem’s full scope and character roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Capcom say Leon S. Kennedy doesn’t fit Resident Evil Requiem’s horror focus?
Capcom director Koshi Nakanishi explained that Leon, being a combat-tested survivor, is too capable and composed to realistically react with significant fear in a horror setting. The development team wanted the protagonist to experience horror from the same vulnerable perspective as the player. Leon’s established personality means he wouldn’t be easily scared by everyday horror tropes, making him a “bad match” for the pure horror experience Capcom aims to deliver with Requiem.
Who is the main protagonist in Resident Evil Requiem?
The confirmed main protagonist for Resident Evil: Requiem is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst. She is described as introverted and easily scared, a new type of character designed to enhance the game’s horror immersion. While initially vulnerable, Grace is also trained with firearms and possesses deductive reasoning skills, allowing her character to develop and overcome challenges throughout the story while remaining grounded in a human fear response.
Will Resident Evil Requiem feature both horror and action gameplay?
Yes, Resident Evil: Requiem is confirmed to include both horror and action elements, supported by its unique dual perspective system. The game features both first-person and third-person camera options, switchable at any time. The first-person view is emphasized for “tense, realistic gameplay” focused on horror immersion. The third-person view is noted as being “great for people who enjoy action-heavy gameplay” and seeing “more of the action.” While the developers state a primary focus on horror, these elements indicate a blend of gameplay styles, even if the main narrative through Grace leans heavily into fear.
The Path Ahead for Resident Evil
Capcom’s decision regarding Leon and the introduction of Grace Ashcroft signal a deliberate return to the survival horror roots for Resident Evil: Requiem, while still acknowledging the series’ evolution and fan expectations. By selecting a protagonist whose fear can mirror the player’s, Capcom aims to recapture the intense atmosphere that defined early titles. However, the lingering questions about Leon’s potential presence highlight the enduring popularity of the character and the series’ complex relationship between terror and action. Fans eagerly await further reveals leading up to the game’s release on February 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, hoping for clarity on whether the beloved agent will make an appearance, perhaps in a capacity that complements, rather than conflicts with, the game’s core horror vision.
