Mixed Reactions to Leon’s Return in Resident Evil Requiem
After weeks filled with speculation and leaks, Capcom has finally confirmed that Leon Kennedy is making his return as a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem. This time, the seasoned Raccoon City cop will share the spotlight with new protagonist Grace Ashcroft when the game launches on February 27. For many fans, this announcement is a cause for celebration, as Leon has been a beloved character who hasn’t been playable in a mainline title since 2012’s Resident Evil 6 (though he has appeared in a couple of recent remakes). However, some are disappointed that Grace won’t have the stage all to herself.
Since Requiem was first revealed at Summer Game Fest, it has been marketed as Grace’s story, focusing on a more survival horror and puzzle-oriented gameplay style. So, it was a surprise to see Leon enter the fray with his signature cheesy one-liners and a more action-packed approach. Capcom has stated that the game will feature a roughly equal split between the two characters, which could help keep the gameplay fresh. Still, some fans feel that the series is relying too heavily on its classic characters and could benefit from introducing new faces.
After two games featuring the intentionally vague Ethan Winters, and with previous titles frequently swapping the lead between Leon, Jill Valentine, and the Redfield siblings, fans were eager to see Grace take center stage. She has connections to earlier games through her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, who appeared in the Outbreak series, but Grace is the first new hero in quite some time. This has led to some disappointment that she’ll be sharing the limelight with one of the franchise’s most iconic figures.
Some fans have expressed concerns that Leon will overshadow Grace, with one user noting, “Leon is gonna overshadow Grace, which sucks. Grace is officially the protag, but Leon probably got far more attention from Capcom as the ‘fan favorite.’” Another fan added, “I like Leon, I just hope Grace isn’t another damsel for him to rescue and can stand on her own as a strong, well-written character.”
There’s speculation that Capcom anticipated some fans would overlook Grace once their favorite rookie cop, who has officially undergone a transformation, was revealed as a co-protagonist. This might explain why Leon wasn’t featured prominently in early trailers and marketing. Now that the secret is out, the company has described the duo as representing “two generations” of survival horror coming together. Perhaps Requiem will tell a story of Leon “passing the torch” to a new hero, paving the way for future Resident Evil games to focus on fresh characters. If that’s the case, Grace might take the lead in a potential Resident Evil 10, or at least team up with someone who hasn’t been in the series for decades. Here’s hoping Leon gets a comfortable retirement rather than facing a grim fate that could sideline him in future installments.
While some fans are skeptical about this direction, others are simply excited to see Leon back in action, with Requiem promising to deliver both an action-oriented experience and a more intense, horror-driven atmosphere. I understand the initial disappointment, but I’m optimistic that Requiem could serve as an origin story, allowing Resident Evil to explore new characters while moving beyond its storied past. We’ll find out how it all unfolds on February 27.
