Capcom Says Leon Kennedy Is A “Bad Match” For Horror Games

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In Resident Evil: Requiem, or Resident Evil 9, Grace Ashcroft takes the main role, who is believed to be the offspring of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil: Outbreak. It’s not unusual for Resident Evil to introduce a new protagonist, as both the previous games starred Ethan Winters, who was also new at that time. However, fans may have hoped to see a returning character like Leon S. Kennedy take on the playable role. At the Capcom Showcase in June 2025, the developers shared their reasons for not featuring Leon Kennedy in Requiem.

As a developer speaking during the showcase, I’ve often pondered about Leon taking the lead role, but crafting a horror experience around him isn’t straightforward. He wouldn’t flinch at common horror tropes like a falling bucket, which wouldn’t resonate well with players. Nobody wants to see Leon cowering at every little thing. That’s why he doesn’t fit the horror genre as snugly as we’d hoped.

On the other hand, Grace is an FBI analyst who’s proficient with firearms, but she’ll need to conquer her fears throughout the game’s narrative. Initially, she’s reserved and prone to fear, but that all changes as she faces challenges and grows stronger.

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Previously, Leon S. Kennedy has been a leading character in three major installments of the Resident Evil series: Resident Evil 2, where he teamed up with Claire Redfield; Resident Evil 4, which is frequently praised as the best in the series; and Resident Evil 6, where he was among multiple playable characters. He has also made appearances in various spin-offs throughout the history of Resident Evil, like ReVerse and Operation Raccoon City. Generally recognized as a significant figure in the franchise, Leon is well-known to fans.

It remains uncertain if Leon will appear or have a part in Resident Evil: Requiem, as Capcom often includes well-known characters in their narratives, even when they are not the main characters or playable ones. For instance, Chris Redfield plays a significant role in Resident Evil: Village.

If Leon weren’t so chiseled and brave, maybe we could see him back in action as the main character in one of Capcom’s scarier games, like the upcoming title “Requiem,” next February.

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2025-06-27 03:09