Resident Evil Requiem is a special entry in the beloved zombie action series. The Resident Evil games were what first got me into playing horror in the first place, and Resident Evil Requiem getting Leon Kennedy back was something I've been looking forward to ever since Capcom revealed that he would be an important part of the story. I was excited anyway, but knowing Leon was coming back was just icing on the cake. The dynamic between him and Grace is a good balance, seeing their trauma come to the surface throughout the story Requiem one of the most emotionally heavy Resident Evil game yet.
When the flashiness of Leon's roundhouse kicks in and the chainsaw cutting disappears, Resident Evil Requiem really does justice to him as a character. It's the most layered version of Leon Kennedy we've seen in the series, and it makes the game's “Requiem” subtitle make even more sense after beating the game. Leon's past comes back to haunt him in a big way, but it also gives him the opportunity to find the peace he's been seeking for so long.
Major spoilers ahead too Resident Evil Requiem, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil 6.
Leon Kennedy must face his trauma head-on in Resident Evil Requiem
Leon had the worst first day at work ever Resident Evil 2. It's hard to imagine a scenario that tops his RCPD debut. Ever since then, he has been constantly tortured by the need to save others. The events in Resident Evil 2 has left him suffering badly from PTSD, and the guilt has followed him throughout the franchise. Resident Evil Requiem references previous games in many ways, and almost all of them come back to Leon and his struggle to move past the trauma of his first day as an RCPD rookie.
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Definition of “Requiem”
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A deed or memorial
It is a way of remembering and honoring the dead, and this is something Leon has continued to do through his actions. IN Resident Evil 4his quest to save Ashley was eating away at him. No matter how hard he tried, there were still devastating victims he couldn't stop. Luis's death in Resident Evil 4 only adds to Leon's guilt. Resident Evil 6 piles on it even more. Leon must kill President Adam Benford after he becomes infected, and this makes his need to save others that much more intense. When Resident Evil Requiem comes around, Leon is now in a race against the clock to save not only himself, but Sherry Birkin and any other Raccoon City survivors potentially suffering from Raccoon City Syndrome.
Leon's return to Raccoon City is more than simple fan service
Leon returning to Raccoon City after nearly 30 years is something many longtime fans have been looking forward to. So was I, but I was also worried that it was just Capcom leaning into fan service instead of making it a meaningful part of the story. Thankfully I was wrong. Raccoon City isn't just a trip down memory lane for fans, it forces Leon into a situation that forces him to confront all of his traumas at once. Leon opening the doors to the RCPD once again gave me chills, and it's the first step in him fighting (literally) his guilt.
Raccoon City Syndrome has a deeper meaning
Yes, Raccoon City Syndrome is a latent T-Virus strain that kills Leon and Sherry, but it's also a deep metaphor. It is a physical manifestation of Leon's trauma from the Raccoon City outbreak. His trauma and guilt are literally eating him alive now, adding an even deeper layer to his quest to heal it. Resident Evil Requiem shows Leon at his most desperate, and Raccoon City Syndrome is a great way to really drive home how much his guilt and inner pain is starting to weigh on him.
Leon comes face to face with some of Raccoon City's most notable characters
In Raccoon City, Leon is forced into a reunion he probably hoped never to have. Mr. X returns, and this Resident Evil Requiem boss fight brings everything back full circle for Leon. This time it seems Leon kills him for good. It is the first fight that causes Leon to confront his past and destroy it. Next is the showdown with HUNK – or someone who definitely appears to be HUNK. If Leon and HUNK had fought in Resident Evil 2there is no way the rookie Leon would have won. However, a lot of time has passed since then, and this fight shows how far Leon has come since his first day on the job. Defeating the HUNK-like character is an assurance that he has grown and has become a much stronger and more capable person than he was then. Leon is so overwhelmed by the guilt of what he couldn't do then that he's blinded to what he can do now.
Grace is the key to Leon forgiving himself
The word “grace” basically refers to someone receiving something good that may not necessarily be deserved. Leon has definitely earned it, but even he himself doesn't think so. Grace's name has its own deeper meaning that has been made quite obvious at the time Resident Evil Requiemthe end is coming.
When she and Leon are down in the ARK with Zeno, Grace knows the password to unlock Elpis. The password is “hope”, and Zeno is completely unaware that Elpis is actually a universal cure for bioengineered viruses. She uses a shot to stop the spread of Leon's Raccoon City syndrome, but that's not all she cures. In a way, it's another way of showing Leon's trauma and guilt literally disappearing. At first, Grace Ashcroft seemed like she would constantly need saving from Leon, but it turns out that she was his savior all along. The final scenes made it clear that Leon's journey is definitely not over, but at least he can move forward with a newfound sense of confidence and self-forgiveness. He is more capable than ever, and it will be fascinating to see how this affects his character in the future Resident Evil game.
- 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
