Following the official reveal of Leon S. Kennedy's return in "Resident Evil Requiem" at The Game Awards 2025, director Akihiko Nakanishi recently dished on the game's core design philosophy.
Nakanishi highlighted the game's dual-protagonist structure, where playable sections are split almost 50/50 between Leon and new character Grace Ashcroft. He emphasized that an "intense contrast" is at the heart of the experience, allowing action and horror to intertwine within the same title.
Nakanishi explained that "Requiem" features a single, unified main story. Players will switch between controlling Leon and Grace as the narrative progresses, and they'll even meet up during specific plot points. Character-wise, Grace is pegged as "the most timid character in series history," with her gameplay leaning into the oppressive horror vibe of "Resident Evil 2." The battle-hardened Leon, on the other hand, takes cues from "Resident Evil 4's" design philosophy, focusing on close-quarters combat, melee moves, and fast-paced action.
The director admitted that Leon isn't really suited for prolonged pure horror gameplay; that hide-and-seek, fear-driven rhythm just doesn't jive with his character's experience. Therefore, the team opted to focus his chapters on "adrenaline-pumping action sequences," serving as a brief reprieve from Grace's terrifying ordeal. This arrangement allows "Requiem" to maintain the series' signature suspense while injecting a fresh dose of exhilarating satisfaction rarely seen before.
Nakanishi described this structure as merging two games with completely different levels of tension. Initially, the team worried the drastic shift in pace might be jarring for players, but actual testing revealed that this hot-and-cold alternation actually forged a unique gameplay rhythm—like jumping from a scorching sauna straight into a cold plunge pool.
Regarding character design, Leon appears with a more mature, battle-hardened look. Nakanishi stated that the team repeatedly asked, "what would Leon look like in 2026?" and ultimately molded him into a "seasoned gentleman" who carries heavy responsibilities yet remains effortlessly cool. This design direction received positive feedback from players after the trailer dropped.
"Resident Evil Requiem" is slated for release on February 27, 2026, launching on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
via： AUTOMATON