Resident Evil Requiem fans convinced Leon is still playable despite being “bad match for horror”

It’s been verified by Capcom that Leon S. Kennedy won’t be the central character in Resident Evil Requiem. However, this doesn’t prevent fans from guessing that Kennedy might still have a significant part to play in the forthcoming title.

At this year’s Capcom Spotlight 2025 event, I was surprised to learn that my character, Leon, was initially thought of as the protagonist in Requiem. However, director Koshi Nakanishi shared during the broadcast that they decided against it because Leon doesn’t align with the mood they’re trying to set for this game.

They pointed out that Leon doesn’t fit well into horror settings because he’s overly confident and unflappable, which prevents players from feeling genuine fear. Originally, they considered having Leon as the main character, but creating a horror game with him is challenging since he wouldn’t react even to something as commonplace as a bucket falling. Nobody would enjoy watching Leon getting scared by every minor thing.

Rather than placing players in general roles, Requiem immerses them as Grace Ashcroft, a reserved FBI technology analyst who has a personal stake in the Raccoon City event. This change leans towards an atmosphere of vulnerability and tension – a more deliberate, earthbound approach to survival horror.

Leon S. Kennedy may still be in Resident Evil Requiem

Nevertheless, enthusiasts continue their quest for details, firmly believing there might be more secrets hidden by Capcom.

On Reddit, some users are suggesting that Capcom’s statement might be a strategy to mislead fans. They argue that Nakanishi never explicitly stated that Leon isn’t in the game, only that he’s not the main character. Others believe that his action-oriented background makes him an ideal candidate for a secondary playable role, similar to how Chris Redfield was utilized in Resident Evil Village.

Additionally, there’s talk about the possibility that Capcom might save a surprise mid-game disclosure regarding Leon, or perhaps keep his participation under wraps until just before release.

In simpler terms, the widespread belief is that Leon may make appearances in specific, action-packed scenes that interrupt the suspenseful flow of the horror narrative. These could range from brief cameos to flashbacks or even entire gameplay segments. Fans strongly suspect that this character won’t be permanently written out.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got my fingers crossed about Leon Kennedy potentially joining the roster of Capcom’s upcoming game, Requiem. While they’re usually secretive, Capcom has a history of surprising us with unexpected character additions. So, it might be a while until we get official confirmation or until players stumble upon him during gameplay as we get closer to release.

Currently, Grace takes the main stage. However, as per Resident Evil’s typical narrative twist, there’s always a possibility that Leon might make an appearance precisely when things begin to unravel.

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2025-06-27 14:48