Fans of Resident Evil were surprised when the first trailer for Resident Evil Requiem dropped—because longtime franchise favorite Leon S. Kennedy wasn’t the one holding the flashlight this time. Instead, Capcom introduced a brand-new protagonist: Grace Ashcroft. And now, they’ve explained why.
During the Resident Evil Requiem Spotlight Broadcast, game director Koshi Nakanishi addressed the decision head-on. According to him, while the team originally considered making Leon the lead again, they ultimately felt he didn’t fit the horror tone they wanted.
“Players wouldn’t want to see Leon jumping at every little thing,” Nakanishi said. “He’s been through too much.” Basically, Leon’s past experience—zombie outbreaks, bioweapon battles, and a lot of near-death moments—has made him almost too composed for a true horror game. He’s seen it all.
That’s where Grace Ashcroft comes in. Unlike Leon, Grace is more introverted, more vulnerable. She gets scared—and that’s kind of the point.
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Grace is an FBI analyst with firearms training, but she’s never been thrown into anything like the chaos the Resident Evil series is known for. The team wanted players to feel fear with her, not through a seasoned pro who’s already survived multiple apocalyptic scenarios.
From a storytelling angle, it makes sense. Back in Resident Evil 2, Leon worked as a great entry point for players because he was just a rookie. Grace brings a similar energy—just with a modern spin and her own unique perspective.
Of course, fans of Leon are a bit disappointed, and that’s understandable. He’s become one of the series’ most iconic characters, showing up in games, spin-offs, and animated features. But his evolution into a hardened veteran means he’s less reactive, less uncertain—and those are key ingredients in crafting a solid horror experience.
This approach isn’t new for Capcom, either. Titles like Resident Evil 5 and 6 paired battle-hardened veterans like Leon and Chris Redfield with younger, less experienced partners to preserve that tension and fear.
So while we might not be seeing Leon dodge B.O.W.s in Requiem, we’re getting a fresh, more grounded take on horror with Grace—and that could be exactly what the series needs to keep things scary.
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