Tonight's Gamescom Opening Night Live broadcast offered another glimpse at Resident Evil: Requiem's protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, but once again left out fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy.
As anticipated, today's showcase provided a deeper look at Capcom's highly-anticipated survival horror title, which is also playable on the Gamescom show floor. The footage featured new lead character Grace Ashcroft in action, though fans were left speculating about the absence of Leon S. Kennedy.
After receiving a mysterious phone call, Grace Ashcroft and her mother Alyssa try to flee their hotel as the power fails and they come under attack. We already know the subsequent events, as the story jumps forward to show Grace investigating the same hotel years later as an FBI analyst.
Capcom earlier stated that Requiem would revisit the series' core narrative that began three decades ago. This comes after more recent entries like Resident Evil 7 and Village explored standalone stories with fewer ties to the overarching lore. Fans have already spotted the return of Raccoon City and nods to the Umbrella Corporation, hoping for further connections and a reveal of Leon.
"We always considered making Leon the protagonist," Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi said previously. "However, crafting a horror game around him is challenging. He wouldn't be startled by a falling bucket. Nobody wants to see Leon frightened by every minor scare. So, he's actually a poor fit for a pure horror experience."
Many supporters interpreted this statement as confirmation that Leon still appears in the game, likely in segments featuring more action-focused gameplay. While Nakanishi said the character isn't suited for horror sections, he carefully avoided stating Leon is entirely absent.
A considerable wait remains until Resident Evil: Requiem launches on February 27, 2026.
