Following the official confirmation that Leon S. Kennedy will appear in Resident Evil: Requiem, the game’s developers have confirmed how much we’ll be playing as the soft-haired favorite – and that’s good news for his fans.
I’m talking to Machinedirector Akifumi Nakanishi revealed that Requiem’s screen time is almost the same as that of Leon and the previously revealed Grace Ashcroft.
“Gameplay-wise, the playable sections of Grace and Leon are almost evenly split,” Nakanishi said, comparing the game’s structure to Resident Evil: Revelations, which starred both Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine.
“It’s almost like a combination of two games with completely different types of tension,” Nakanishi continued. “At first we were worried that players might not be able to keep up, but now we feel that the contrast gives the game a unique rhythm, like jumping into a cold bath after sitting in a hot sauna (laughter).”
Nakanishi then described Leon’s playable sections as “a release” after the intense horror of playing as the less experienced Grace. However, don’t expect Leon’s gameplay to be petty – the hero will also put himself in danger to protect others. Are you sure Capcom won’t kill him?
“This time, the battle will likely push Leon to his limits more than ever before, and that’s a key part of the experience,” Nakanishi noted. “He’s the type who doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself to save others, but isn’t arrogant about it and has a passion for it. I hope you’re looking forward to the dry wit and subtle sarcasm that only an older guy can bring.”
Capcom knows that Leon has a dedicated fan base, and it looks like the game will build on that – making him a “handsome” character who also has a “cool personality.” Last night’s trailer showed him driving a custom-built Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, which Capcom has officially licensed from the car’s manufacturer.
“Even though he’s a character who carries a lot on his shoulders, we tried very hard to perfect him to be an ‘ikeoji’ (cool/attractive older guy),” Nakanishi concluded. “The response to the trailer on that front has made us happy (laughter).”
Despite confirmation of Leon’s involvement, Requiem may still hold secrets. There was no mention of a potential third playable character tonight – this was brought up earlier this week on GameStop, which referenced Rosemary Winters. Be sure to check out everything announced at The Game Awards 2025 for more information, as well as the full list of winners.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s news editor. You can contact Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
