Resident Evil fans got one of the biggest surprises of The Game Awards 2025 when Capcom confirmed Leon S. Kennedy will be playable in Resident Evil Requiem. The announcement came through new gameplay footage that showed both Leon and Jill Valentine in action, marking Leon’s first appearance as a playable character since Resident Evil 6 in 2012. The reveal puts to rest months of speculation about the game’s roster and sets up what looks like the series’ most ambitious dual-protagonist campaign yet.
Leon and Jill Team-Up
The Game Awards trailer confirmed Leon S. Kennedy as the second playable protagonist alongside Jill Valentine, who had already been revealed earlier in 2025. Leon appeared looking slightly older but unmistakably the same agent from Raccoon City, sporting his signature leather jacket and an arsenal of modern weaponry. The footage showed him fighting mutated creatures in what appeared to be an underground facility, using both firearms and melee combat with brutal efficiency.
Jill Valentine made her appearance wielding a high-tech crossbow and engaging in tense stealth sections. The trailer emphasized how the two characters’ campaigns intersect at key moments, with player choices in one storyline affecting events in the other. This dual-protagonist structure echoes Resident Evil 5’s co-op campaign but with separate playable sections rather than simultaneous control. The synergy between Leon’s action-hero style and Jill’s more tactical approach promises varied gameplay depending on which character’s story you’re experiencing.
Not Resident Evil 9, But RE Requiem
The game carries the subtitle “Requiem,” marking a departure from Capcom’s recent numbered entries. While earlier rumors suggested Resident Evil 9, the final title Requiem suggests a thematic focus on finality, remembrance, or a definitive end to certain story arcs. Given that both Leon and Jill have been central figures since the original Resident Evil games, this could represent a climactic chapter in their stories after decades of fighting bioterrorism.
The trailer’s darker tone and more grotesque enemy designs suggest Capcom is leaning into body horror territory not seen since Resident Evil 7. Mutated humans with exposed organs, insect-like parasites bursting from hosts, and biomechanical abominations point toward a new viral threat that’s even more insidious than the T-Virus or G-Virus. The underground facility setting with industrial machinery and bio-organic research labs feels like a natural evolution of Raccoon City’s infamous Umbrella facilities.
Leon’s Long Hiatus Explained
Leon hasn’t been playable since Resident Evil 6 in 2012, though he appeared in supporting roles in Resident Evil 4’s remake and the animated Netflix series. His absence from recent mainline entries had fans wondering if Capcom planned to retire the character after nearly 30 years. Instead, Requiem gives Leon what could be his definitive story, potentially concluding his arc that began as a rookie cop in Raccoon City and evolved into a seasoned government agent.
Voice actor Nick Apostolides returns to voice Leon, providing continuity from his acclaimed performance in the Resident Evil 4 remake. Jill Valentine is voiced by Laura Bailey, bringing her extensive experience from previous Resident Evil titles and other major franchises. The familiar voices combined with updated character models create a perfect blend of nostalgia and modernity that should satisfy longtime fans.
Modern RE Engine Evolution
Resident Evil Requiem continues Capcom’s use of the RE Engine, the same technology that powered the critically acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4, as well as the mainline entries Village and 4’s remake. The Game Awards footage showcased significant graphical advancements since those titles, particularly in character detail, lighting, and environmental destruction. Leon’s face shows realistic skin textures and dynamic facial animations during combat. Enemy mutations happen in real-time with visceral detail.
The RE Engine’s signature first-person and third-person camera options remain, with Requiem appearing to primarily use third-person based on the trailer. Dynamic weather effects, destructible environments, and advanced particle systems create immersive atmospheres. Underground facility sections featured water flooding corridors, sparking electrical wires, and collapsing ceilings, all reacting realistically to player actions and combat.
Connecting the Modern Timeline
Resident Evil Requiem appears to be the next chronological entry in the main series timeline after Resident Evil Village. The presence of both Leon and Jill suggests a story of significant importance that requires the involvement of two of Umbrella’s most persistent adversaries. The underground facility setting and new viral mutations indicate a shadowy organization continuing bioterrorism research long after Umbrella’s official collapse.
Fan speculation suggests this could be the long-rumored “Project Scimitar,” a successor organization to Umbrella mentioned in Resident Evil 4’s remake. The trailer’s biomechanical enemies resemble the Regenerators from RE4, hinting at connections between the two games. Whether Requiem serves as a direct sequel to Village or a parallel storyline remains unclear, but the dual protagonists suggest a narrative scope larger than recent entries.
Release Expectations
No specific release date was announced at The Game Awards, but industry patterns suggest Resident Evil Requiem is targeting late 2026 or early 2027. Capcom’s recent track record shows Resident Evil 4’s remake released in March 2023, Village launched in May 2021, and RE2 remake came in January 2019. With the recent focus on remakes and spin-offs, a new mainline entry would fit perfectly into Capcom’s aggressive release schedule.
The game is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC with no last-gen versions planned. Given the graphical fidelity shown in the trailer, the game clearly requires next-generation hardware capabilities. Gold and Deluxe editions will likely include early access periods, additional weapons, and cosmetic items as seen in recent Resident Evil releases.
FAQs
Is Leon Kennedy playable in Resident Evil Requiem?
Yes, Capcom confirmed at The Game Awards 2025 that Leon S. Kennedy is playable alongside Jill Valentine. This marks Leon’s first playable appearance since Resident Evil 6 in 2012.
What is Resident Evil Requiem about?
While plot details remain sparse, the game features Leon and Jill fighting new viral mutations in underground facilities. The story appears to continue the main Resident Evil timeline after Village, potentially involving a successor organization to Umbrella.
When does Resident Evil Requiem release?
No official release date has been announced. Based on Capcom’s schedule and development status, expect late 2026 or early 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Is it first-person or third-person?
The RE Engine supports both perspectives. The Game Awards trailer showed third-person gameplay, but first-person options may be available depending on player preference.
Who voices Leon and Jill?
Nick Apostolides returns as Leon S. Kennedy from the Resident Evil 4 remake. Laura Bailey voices Jill Valentine, continuing her role from previous Resident Evil titles.
Is it connected to Resident Evil 4 remake?
The trailer shows enemies resembling RE4’s Regenerators and underground facilities similar to Los Illuminados bases, suggesting narrative connections between the two games.
Will there be a Gold Edition with extra content?
Capcom’s recent Resident Evil releases all feature Gold and Deluxe editions with early access and additional content. Requiem will likely follow the same model.
Conclusion
Leon Kennedy’s confirmed return as a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem represents a major milestone for the franchise. Pairing him with fellow OG survivor Jill Valentine creates the potential for the most nostalgic yet forward-looking entry in the series. Capcom continues to perfect the RE Engine formula, delivering increasingly impressive visuals and gameplay while maintaining the tension, resource management, and terrifying enemy design that define Resident Evil. Whether Requiem serves as a climactic finale for these iconic characters or launches them into new territory, the Game Awards reveal proved Capcom still knows exactly how to get Resident Evil fans excited. With the perfect blend of returning favorites, modern technology, and classic horror elements, Requiem is shaping up to be one of 2026 or 2027’s must-play experiences. Just make sure to conserve your ammo.