Resident Evil: Requiem Drops a New Trailer – Grace Ashcroft's Here, But Where's That Bloody Leon?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
The new *Resident Evil: Requiem* trailer from Gamescom delivered a deep dive into new protagonist Grace Ashcroft's chilling backstory, tying the game back to the franchise's overarching narrative, but left fans wondering about the complete absence of fan-favourite Leon S. Kennedy, despite curious comments from the director.
Right, so Gamescom's Opening Night Live just dropped a fresh peek at *Resident Evil: Requiem*, and mate, it's got us talking. The big reveal? A proper look at the game's new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, and her backstory. But here’s the kicker, the question that’s probably still echoing through the digital halls of the internet: Where in bloody hell is Leon S. Kennedy?
You know that feeling when you're casting a complex spell, everything's going great, and then suddenly, a new, equally complex element pops up and makes you rethink everything? That's kinda what this *Requiem* trailer feels like. Capcom’s been hyping this one up as a return to form for the survival horror series, and they certainly delivered on the 'new protagonist' front. We got to see Grace Ashcroft in action, first as a youngster trying to escape a hotel with her mum, Alyssa, after the power mysteriously cuts out and things go south – fast. Then, years later, she's back, investigating the same cursed hotel as an FBI analyst. Talk about a grim family holiday, eh?
It’s a neat way to introduce a character and give them some immediate personal stakes, connecting her deeply to the game's setting. And it ties into Capcom’s earlier promises that *Requiem* will pull us back into the series’ “overarching narrative” that kicked off some three decades ago. After *Resident Evil 7* and *Village* went off on their own fantastic, albeit slightly disconnected, tangents, long-time fans have been yearning for a return to the roots. And fair dinkum, we’re seeing those roots with mentions of Raccoon City and the shadowy Umbrella Corporation. It’s like the universe is finally re-aligning, or at least, the Umbrella Corporation is finally getting back to its nefarious business in a big way.
But even with all this juicy lore reconnection and a compelling new character, the elephant in the room – or rather, the leather-jacketed hero conspicuously *not* in the room – is Leon. S. Kennedy. The fans, bless their ever-hopeful hearts, were absolutely buzzing about the possibility of seeing him. And why wouldn't they? He's practically synonymous with the franchise's peak action moments, the guy who's seen it all and still manages to quip his way out of a zombie horde. So, when the trailer wrapped and Leon was still a no-show, you could practically hear the collective sigh across the globe.
Now, here’s where things get interesting, and a touch delightfully baffling. *Requiem* director Koshi Nakanishi previously weighed in on the Leon debate, saying, and I quote, "We always thought about making Leon the protagonist, 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."
Bloody hell, Leon wouldn’t jump at a bucket? Mate, I've seen seasoned gamers jump at a shadow, let alone a rogue bucket. It’s a wonderfully candid, almost comically specific, reason not to make him the main horror lead. It speaks to a clear vision for *Requiem*'s horror focus, leaning into that vulnerable, 'everyman' feel that makes survival horror truly terrifying. If Leon's too cool to be scared by a creaky floorboard, then perhaps he wouldn't fit the 'helpless survivor' role that makes horror so effective.
However, and this is where my naturally curious and slightly skeptical brain starts whirring, Nakanishi notably stopped short of ruling him out entirely. He just said Leon wasn't suitable for *horror* sections. This has led to a flurry of speculation among the community, pondering if Leon might make an appearance in more action-orientated segments. Think about it: a different playable character for high-octane sequences, while Grace handles the nail-biting, resource-management horror bits? It's a clever way to serve both sides of the *Resident Evil* fanbase, blending the slow-burn dread with the satisfying, explosive combat the series has also become known for. Could it be a bait-and-switch? A masterclass in managing expectations while still delivering a fan-pleasing cameo? Only time, and probably another Gamescom, will tell.
It’s a long road still until *Resident Evil: Requiem* finally bursts onto our screens on February 27, 2026. Plenty of time for more trailers, more cryptic director comments, and a whole heap of fan theories about Leon's precise whereabouts. Will he be the grizzled veteran offering advice from a comms channel? A fleeting cameo in a post-credits scene? Or perhaps, in a truly meta twist, he’s just chilling at home, practicing not jumping at buckets, blissfully unaware of the horrors unfolding around Grace Ashcroft. Whatever the case, Capcom has certainly managed to stir the pot, giving us a compelling new face while keeping the mystery of an old favourite alive. And honestly, that’s just good fun, isn't it?
This analysis draws upon reporting by IGN South Africa, specifically an article originally published on their site, detailing the latest Resident Evil: Requiem trailer and its implications.
Tags: Resident Evil, Survival Horror, Gamescom, Capcom, Gaming News
Original article: IGN South Africa