Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) is neck-and-neck with Expedition 33 for the highest user score on Metacritic. Find out what fans are saying about the game and the latest Leon craze online.
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) Is Universally Acclaimed, According to Metacritic
Tied With Expedition 33 at 9.5
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) became an instant hit among fans, going toe-to-toe against last year’s Game of the Year winner, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as the highest-rated game by users on Metacritic. As of writing, both titles have a 9.5 user rating on the aggregate review site, beating out classics such as Metal Gear Solid (1998), The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, and, hilariously, Disney’s Cory in the House.
While Expedition 33 currently maintains a higher critic rating of 92, RE9’s score of 88 may rise as more reviews are finalized. Many are praising Capcom’s approach to the sequel, with fans noting that switching between Grace and Leon's playstyles was seamless, the pacing was great, and the puzzles blended effectively with the story.
Here at Game8, we gave RE9 a 96 out of 100 for its refined gameplay and the way it expertly weaves together decades of Resident Evil lore. To know more about our thoughts on the game, check out our review below!
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) Leon Kennedy Making Waves Online
Nintendo Can’t Get Enough of Leon
It’s no secret that fans worldwide are obsessing over Resident Evil’s most iconic protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy. His inclusion in RE9 has sparked massive excitement, particularly his rugged new look that proves Raccoon City’s finest only gets better with age.
Even Nintendo, a company famously conservative about mature content, seems to have succumbed to Leon’s universal appeal. In a surprising March 1 post on X, Nintendo of America appeared to join the fan club, fondly describing the federal agent’s features and even including a "flushed face" emoji.
Though Nintendo's post caught everyone off guard, the community was in total agreement, with the comments section quickly becoming a celebration of Leon’s updated visuals. Some fans even expressed hope that he might appear in other Nintendo titles, such as Mario Kart World or the next Super Smash Bros. entry.
Even Leon’s RE9 voice actor, Nick Apostolides, quickly became aware of just how much fans were "thirsting" over this seasoned version of the character. Speaking with TheGamer on February 28, Apostolides shared his thoughts on the online reaction, noting how fans have been captivated by RE9’s male co-protagonist.
"I mean, that's what you get when you portray a highly, highly sexualized and good-looking character. I could have got a role as like an ogre or something, but he's a handsome, charming guy. It's hard not to like him. And so the internet put him in these thirst trap memes. I think it's funny as hell, personally. I've seen some that make me laugh out loud by myself," he stated.
Porsche Trusts Leon’s Driving Skills
With the launch of RE9 and Leon’s popularity at an all-time high, the renowned German automaker Porsche recently released a promotional video showcasing Leon behind the wheel of a custom Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. First announced during The Game Awards 2025, the collaboration features a one-of-a-kind vehicle designed to reflect Leon’s core characteristics.
The advert leans into Porsche’s unwavering trust in Leon’s driving skills—a choice the RE community found hilarious, given the protagonist’s notorious history of crashing nearly every vehicle he’s ever operated. To dispel these doubts, Porsche showcased Leon’s improved technique behind the wheel.
Under the guidance of racing legend Patrick Long, Leon was coached to "Persist. Outperform. And yes… keep the Cayenne in one piece." The spot concluded with a bold, full-screen declaration: "WE TRUST LEON."
The latest installment of Capcom’s flagship horror franchise has been making huge waves since its release. In less than a week, RE9 has climbed to become Steam’s second top-selling and fifth most-played game, all while maintaining an "Overwhelmingly Positive" user rating.
Resident Evil Requiem is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
Sources:
Resident Evil Requiem Metacritic
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Metacritic
Nintendo of America X post on Leon S. Kennedy
Porsche x Resident Evil Requiem: We Trust Leon.
