The cat’s out of the bag, and Capcom probably isn’t thrilled about it. Resident Evil 9: Requiem has been hit with multiple character leaks over the past few weeks, with the PlayStation Store accidentally revealing Leon Kennedy’s return in early December 2025. This comes after months of speculation and previous leaks that have slowly pieced together what might be one of the most ambitious Resident Evil games yet.
The PlayStation Store Slip-Up
On December 9, 2025, players who pre-ordered Resident Evil 9: Requiem noticed something interesting on their PlayStation Store pre-download page. Updated cover art showed Leon Kennedy standing behind the game’s protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. Multiple users confirmed the leak across social media, and IGN later verified the screenshots were legitimate. The timing suggests this was meant to be a surprise reveal, possibly saved for a major gaming event before the game’s February 27, 2026 launch date.
What makes this particularly interesting is that Leon appears to be using his Resident Evil 4 Remake design but significantly older. According to reliable leaker Duskgolem, Leon’s story primarily takes place in 2020, while Grace’s narrative unfolds in 2028. Rather than separate campaigns, these timelines form one interconnected storyline that weaves between past and present.
Who is Grace Ashcroft
Grace Ashcroft is the main protagonist of Resident Evil 9: Requiem, and she’s not your typical action hero. She’s an FBI technical analyst, essentially a desk worker who gets thrown into fieldwork when mysterious deaths start appearing. What makes her story compelling is the personal connection to the case. Grace is investigating deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, the same location where her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, was murdered eight years prior.
If that name sounds familiar, it should. Alyssa Ashcroft was a playable character in Resident Evil Outbreak, an investigative reporter who survived the 1998 Raccoon City incident. Her daughter Grace is described as introverted and easily scared, a stark contrast to the gun-toting veterans the series usually features. However, her FBI training provides firearm skills and calm deductive reasoning under pressure.
The GameStop Rosemary Leak
Before the Leon reveal, GameStop accidentally leaked another potential character. On December 7, 2025, a product listing for the Resident Evil 9 Deluxe Edition mentioned costumes for a second character named Rosemary. This would be Rose Winters from Resident Evil Village, who appeared as a young adult in that game’s DLC. The listing was quickly updated and all references to Rosemary were removed, but not before screenshots circulated widely.
The leak suggested Rosemary might appear as DLC content rather than in the main campaign. The Deluxe Kit apparently included costumes for both Grace and Rosemary, along with weapon skins, charms, and bonus files. Whether this was an error or a legitimate spoiler remains unclear, but it has fans speculating about how Rose’s mold powers might factor into the story.
What We Know About RE9 So Far
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is shaping up to be a return to the series’ survival horror roots. The game takes players back to Raccoon City, or at least the ruins of it, nearly 30 years after the infamous outbreak. Built on Capcom’s RE Engine and featuring Nvidia DLSS4 with path tracing, the visuals are being touted as the most advanced in franchise history.
Gameplay shifts away from the action-heavy approach of recent entries. Players will face limited resources, complex puzzles, and a persistent pursuer enemy that adapts and evolves based on player actions. The game features seamless switching between first-person and third-person perspectives, giving players tactical options for different situations. Combat emphasizes vulnerability over power fantasy, with tactical shooting, stealth mechanics, and environmental barricading taking center stage.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | February 27, 2026 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam) |
| Main Protagonist | Grace Ashcroft (FBI Technical Analyst) |
| Secondary Character | Leon S. Kennedy (Confirmed via leak) |
| Setting | Ruins of Raccoon City and surrounding areas |
| Engine | RE Engine with DLSS4 and path tracing |
The Leaker Drama
Much of the pre-release information about Resident Evil 9 has come from industry insiders, particularly a leaker known as Duskgolem (also called AestheticGamer). While Duskgolem has a track record of accurate Resident Evil leaks, not everything has been spot-on. The leaker initially suggested Leon would be the main playable character for most of the game, but official marketing has focused heavily on Grace Ashcroft.
After the GameStop Rosemary leak was later determined to be either an error or outdated information, some community members called for banning Duskgolem’s leaks entirely from discussion forums. The situation highlights the messy nature of game leaks, where even legitimate insiders can have outdated or incomplete information. Capcom itself hasn’t officially commented on any of these leaks, maintaining strategic silence as the release date approaches.
What This Means for the Franchise
These character reveals suggest Resident Evil 9 is positioning itself as a bridge between the franchise’s past and future. Leon’s presence connects to the classic era of Resident Evil, while Grace represents a new generation dealing with the long-term consequences of Umbrella’s actions. The potential inclusion of Rosemary would further tie in the supernatural horror elements introduced in Resident Evil Village.
The game’s subtitle, Requiem, traditionally refers to a mass for the dead. Combined with the tagline “Requiem for the dead, nightmare for the living,” it suggests themes of legacy, trauma, and paying respects to past horrors while confronting new ones. Grace’s personal quest to understand her mother’s death mirrors this larger narrative about reckoning with the past.
FAQs
Is Leon Kennedy confirmed for Resident Evil 9?
Yes, Leon Kennedy was confirmed through a PlayStation Store leak on December 9, 2025. The updated cover art shows Leon behind protagonist Grace Ashcroft, and multiple sources verified the leak’s authenticity. Capcom hasn’t officially announced his role yet.
Who is the main character in RE9 Requiem?
Grace Ashcroft is the main protagonist. She’s an FBI technical analyst investigating mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, where her mother Alyssa Ashcroft was killed. Grace is described as introverted and easily scared, making her a departure from typical Resident Evil protagonists.
Will Rosemary from RE8 be in Resident Evil 9?
A GameStop listing briefly mentioned Rosemary with DLC costumes, but the information was quickly removed. It’s unclear if this was an error or a legitimate spoiler about potential DLC content. Nothing has been officially confirmed by Capcom.
When does Resident Evil 9 release?
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is scheduled to launch on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. The game will feature advanced graphics powered by RE Engine with Nvidia DLSS4 support.
Does RE9 take place in Raccoon City?
The game returns to the ruins of Raccoon City nearly 30 years after the original outbreak, but it’s not the only location. According to leaks, Raccoon City is a place visited during the story rather than the primary setting throughout the entire game.
What gameplay style will Resident Evil 9 have?
RE9 emphasizes survival horror over action. Expect limited resources, complex puzzles, tactical combat, stealth mechanics, and a persistent pursuer enemy. The game allows seamless switching between first-person and third-person perspectives.
How is Grace Ashcroft connected to previous games?
Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a playable character from Resident Evil Outbreak who survived the Raccoon City incident in 1998. This connection ties Grace’s personal story directly to the franchise’s foundational event.
Are the character leaks hurting the game’s marketing?
The leaks appear to be unintentional reveals that Capcom likely planned to announce closer to launch or at major gaming events. However, the buzz generated by these leaks has kept Resident Evil 9 in gaming conversations, which could ultimately benefit the game’s visibility.
Conclusion
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror games of 2026, even if Capcom didn’t plan on revealing certain details this early. The character leaks have given fans plenty to discuss and theorize about during the wait until February. Whether you’re excited to see Leon back in action, curious about Grace’s personal journey, or wondering if Rosemary will actually appear, one thing is certain: Capcom is pulling out all the stops to deliver a game that honors the franchise’s legacy while pushing it in new directions. Just don’t expect them to confirm anything officially until they’re good and ready.