Resident Evil Requiem's Leon will make zombies cower 'with adrenaline-pumping action' while 'scaredy-cat' Grace will fight for survival

Mix of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4...

· TechRadar

News By Isaiah Williams published 15 December 2025

(Image credit: Capcom)

  • Resident Evil Requiem's director Koshi Nakanishi states that Leon and Grace's sections are equally split
  • Grace's sections will be more like Resident Evil 2, while Leon's will improve upon Resident Evil 4's foundation
  • Leon's segments will feature 'intense adrenaline-pumping action'

After the initial PlayStation Store leak revealing Leon S. Kennedy as the mystery character in Resident Evil Requiem, The Game Awards 2025 gave us our first look at the beloved legacy character – and there will be plenty for fans of the classics to enjoy.

Interviewed by Automaton at a media event, Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed that Leon S. Kennedy's return will bring 'intense adrenaline-pumping action'. At the same time, Grace Ashcroft will be the 'biggest scaredy-cat in Resident Evil history' in the franchise's ninth instalment.

It's also worth noting that Leon and Grace's time in Requiem will be split 'almost equally', as confirmed by Nakanishi, which comes after several months of speculation over Leon's potential presence in the title.

It's a very different move from Chris Redfield's appearances in Resident Evil 7 (also directed by Nakanishi) and Resident Evil Village, where he was featured in much smaller playable segments, but Leon will share the spotlight with Grace in Requiem.

(Image credit: Capcom)

That's not all, either. Nakanishi also highlighted that Grace Ashcroft's gameplay sections will be based on Resident Evil 2, taking on a much slower survival horror pace, which should highlight Grace's 'scaredy-cat' nature.

Meanwhile, Leon S. Kennedy's gameplay will build upon the foundation of Resident Evil 4, which featured plenty of intense action via gunplay and melee combat.

Based on what we've seen in the trailer, it looks as though Leon's combat will be turned up a notch, with what looks like a mechanic that will allow players to borrow enemy weapons for execution, doubling down on the intense action that made RE4 so popular.

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