Last night at The Game Awards, Capcom finally unveiled what many were eagerly anticipating: the return of rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy as a central character in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, alongside newcomer Grace Ashcroft. Sure, Leon may not be a rookie anymore, but the developers are keen on emphasizing that age only adds to his allure.
If you missed the new trailer, Capcom confirmed that Leon and Grace will each present unique gameplay styles. “Grace’s gameplay takes inspiration from Resident Evil 2,” director Akifumi Nakanishi shared in an interview with Automaton, adding, “whereas Leon’s gameplay incorporates martial arts and melee elements inspired by Resident Evil 4.” According to Nakanishi, Grace is characterized as “the biggest scaredy-cat in Resident Evil history,” while Leon is firmly established as a “seasoned veteran.” And the praise for Leon doesn’t stop there.
“One thing’s for sure, Leon isn’t just handsome; he’s got a cool personality to match,” Nakanishi continues. “He’s the kind of guy who steps up to save others without a second thought, yet he remains humble about it. There’s a passionate depth to him. Plus, I think you’ll appreciate the dry wit and subtle sarcasm that only someone with a bit of age can deliver.”
Honestly, Capcom seems to have a favorite in this duo. The “hot uncle” vibes coming off the new Leon are hard to miss, and even the original Resident Evil 2 director, Hideki Kamiya, has chimed in to wish the former rookie cop all the best as he ages gracefully.
Another exciting detail to mention: Capcom is promoting a special crossover with Porsche, featuring Leon driving a custom Cayenne Turbo GT in the game. Now that’s a midlife crisis that’s fitting for Leon’s legendary status!
As we countdown to Requiem’s launch next year, these are the best Resident Evil games you can enjoy in the meantime.