Resident Evil Requiem finally comes out this month, marking the long-awaited return of Leon S. Kennedy. Newcomer Grace Ashcroft will feature the survival, sweat-inducing moments, while Leon returns in full force with his roundhouse kicks and gun-toting skills. Obviously exciting, Resident Evil Requiem is one of the first big releases of the year and fans have long been eager to see what the game brings to the lore. After all, this new chapter has raised many questions, but one mystery about the game has been solved: Leon's age.
Leon's age in Resident Evil Requiem has been discussed ever since he was confirmed for the ninth main post. The game has been marketed as taking place three decades after the Raccoon City incident, so many have assumed he was in his early 50s. However, this is not the case. Leon is definitely older than when players last saw him Resident Evil 6but his age has been misinterpreted due to Capcom's marketing.
Resident Evil fans have had trouble pinning down Leon's official age in Requiem
Capcom and Resident Evil Requiems developers have said the game takes place 30 years after the government wiped out the Raccoon City outbreak with a devastating bomb. Because of the 30-year remarks, many have assumed it Resident Evil Requiem takes place in 2028.
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Leon S. Kennedy was born in 1977.
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2028 would make him 51.
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2026 would make him 49.
The details around Resident Evil Requiems place in the timeline is murky, however. It hasn't been explicitly stated that the story takes place in 2028, and Capcom will likely round off the year to sound better from a marketing standpoint. Saying “30 years later” just sounds better than saying “28 years later”. After all, it's clear now Resident Evil Requiem takes place in 2026.
Leon's Age in Past Resident Evil Games
|
Game |
Year the story takes place |
Leon's age |
|
Resident Evil 2 (and remake) |
1998 |
21 |
|
Resident Evil 4 |
2004 |
27 |
|
Resident Evil 6 |
2012-2013 |
35 |
Resident Evil Requiem's place in the timeline is confirmed in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment
In it Resident Evil Requiem trailer that reveals Leon, there's a short scene that shows a small calendar on a desk where he's examining evidence. The calendar says that it is Saturday, October 10, but the view for the year is obstructed. However, when looking at the actual 2026 calendar, October 10th does indeed fall on a Saturday this year. October 10, 2028 is a Tuesday in particular.
It is probably the most significant piece of evidence that points to an official time frame and Leon's age. Two years apart isn't a big deal, but it's still nice to have a general idea of when the story takes place. Depending on what's going on Resident Evil Requiemplot can greatly affect the franchise going forward, so having a more concrete timeline helps keep important lore moments in order.
Resident Evil Requiem's Leon and Grace symbolize how far the franchise has come over the years
Leon may not have been the first Resident Evil main character, but he has become one of the most beloved. The classic Resident Evil The pre-Winters saga characters remain some of the most iconic heroes in the horror genre. Even still, Resident Evil 7 was such a drastic turn for the series, and Village continued this trend with intense survival-heavy moments over action. This time, Resident Evil Requiem gives the best of both worlds with Grace and Leon.
Game director Koshi Nakanishi recently confirmed in an interview, “In terms of gameplay, Grace and Leon's playable sections are almost equally split.”
Leon represents the classic formula that made Resident Evil so iconic, and Grace continues to showcase the new era that revels in heart-stopping horror moments. Leon Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft look like a fascinating contrast to create Resident Evil Requiem one of the most unique entries in the series. Between the slow-burn, sweat-inducing survival sequences of Grace and Leon's face-kicking zombie holocaust, this chapter creates a story that's as exciting as it is terrifying.
The wait for Resident Evil Requiem is finally almost over, and it will be really fascinating to see what Nakanishi does with this time around. With this year's selection Resident Evil30th anniversary, Requiem have many expectations to live up to. There's no telling what the next chapter has in store, but with Leon and Grace's completely different play styles, Resident Evil Requiems bold balance of hardcore survival and in-your-face action could make it a must-play for years to come.
- Released
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February 27, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, In-Game Purchase
