Capcom has made a bold choice for its next survival horror game by sidelining fan-favorite Leon Kennedy in favor of a new protagonist. Resident Evil Requiem, set to launch on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, will feature Grace Ashcroft as its central character.
During the recent Capcom Spotlight 2025 event, game director Koshi Nakanishi explained why Leon wasn’t chosen for the starring role. “We always thought about making Leon the protagonist,” Nakanishi said, “but making a horror game based around him is difficult. He wouldn’t jump at a bucket falling. No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing. So he’s actually quite a bad match for horror.”
This decision aligns with Capcom’s vision for Requiem, which focuses on what they call “addictive fear” – an experience so scary that players become hooked on conquering their fears. Leon, who has evolved from a rookie cop in Resident Evil 2 to a seasoned monster hunter in Resident Evil 4, simply doesn’t fit this concept anymore.
Grace Ashcroft, described as “introverted and easily scared,” provides a fresh perspective. As an FBI intelligence analyst with limited field experience, she mirrors the player’s vulnerability. Her inexperience creates natural opportunities for fear that wouldn’t make sense with Leon’s battle-hardened character.
“She learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story,” Nakanishi explained, creating a character journey that players can experience alongside her. Grace isn’t completely helpless, though – she’s trained with firearms and possesses “calm deductive reasoning” abilities that will help her survive.
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The game marks a return to Raccoon City, 30 years after the missile strike that destroyed it in earlier games. Producer Masato Kumazawa called this setting “the most fitting” for the series’ 30th anniversary, allowing Requiem to continue “the overarching narrative rooted in Raccoon City and the secret machinations of the Umbrella Corporation.”
Despite official statements, fan speculation continues to swirl about whether Leon might still appear in some capacity. Prominent leakers have suggested he could be included as a secondary character or in more action-focused segments.
Resident Evil Requiem will offer both first-person and third-person perspectives, switchable at any time. The first-person view aims to create tension and immersion, while third-person caters to players who prefer a more action-oriented approach.
As Capcom shifts back toward pure horror after recent entries leaned into action, the absence of Leon Kennedy represents their commitment to making fear the central experience of Resident Evil once again.