Resident Evil: Requiem developers give a closer look into Leon Kennedy’s return to the series and his co-leading role. Read on to find out more about the Resident Evil icon’s role in the new game.
Leon Kennedy Returns with a Leading Role in Resident Evil: Requiem
Resident Evil’s Poster Boy is Co-Leading the New Game
Resident Evil: Requiem’s development team has revealed that Leon Kennedy will have an equal amount of gameplay sections as Grace Ashcroft, the other protagonist of the game. According to the game’s director and producer, Leon Kennedy’s sections will serve as the more action-packed and combat-intensive parts of the game as he explores Raccoon City and interacts with Grace after a new virus outbreak. This news follows the announcement of Leon Kennedy’s appearance in RE9 at The Game Awards 2025.
In an interview with Automaton, RE9 director Akifumi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa sat down and discussed Leon’s inclusion in the game, as well as its dual-protagonist structure. Nakanishi pointed out that the game would have a singular story where players would take turns between Leon’s sections and Grace’s sections, and that both protagonists would be interacting with each other as the story progressed.
Leon, as a veteran character to the series and an experienced combatant, would have more intense action-oriented sections, while Grace would have the isolated and scarier horror sections. Nakanishi also points out that the contrast between the co-leads also shows through their gameplay, with Leon using his fighting style from Resident Evil 4 while Grace hides and escapes danger similar to certain sections of Resident Evil 2.
This distinction is a "consciously designed horror structure," where the juxtaposition between two characters creates a more deliberate tension for the player to experience. The intention behind this structure, as per Nakanishi, is to "feel safe during Leon’s chapters, and then scared again during Grace’s," creating an equal parts blend of action and survival horror.
RE9 Devs Wanted to Explore an Older Leon Kennedy
Leon Kennedy was revealed for Resident Evil: Requiem with a new trailer that showcased him interacting with Grace Ashcroft and exploring Raccoon City. Nothing is known yet about what role Leon will play in Resident Evil: Requiem’s story, but judging from the game’s setting, it is highly possible that his presence connects back to his involvement in the events of the Raccoon City outbreak, explored in Resident Evil 2, 3, and the Outbreak series.
Since RE9 takes place around 30 years after the events of the Raccoon City outbreak, the game will feature a much older and more experienced Leon Kennedy. Nakanishi and Kumazawa explain the decision to include him as an older character by pointing out their decision to have two protagonists, and to explore Leon’s state of mind and seasoned combat skills in a world where "bioterror never goes away."
Nakanishi also pointed out that Leon Kennedy’s design in the game was handled with great care and intention, making sure to capture him as the cool, handsome, and passionate character fans have come to know and love. He even drives a fully customized Porsche Cayenne GT now, a collaboration with the car brand that both Capcom and Porsche worked on to fit Leon’s character and the world of Resident Evil.
Resident Evil: Requiem is releasing on February 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For more on Capcom’s latest survival-horror game, read our article below:
