Resident Evil Requiem – Official Guide | February 2026 | Source: Capcom
Resident Evil Requiem is one of the most anticipated games of 2026, and the number one question on every fan’s mind since Capcom first revealed it is simple: Will Leon be in Resident Evil Requiem? The answer, officially confirmed by Capcom themselves, is a resounding yes. Leon S. Kennedy is a fully playable co-protagonist in RE9, sharing the spotlight with brand-new character Grace Ashcroft.
He is not a supporting character or a short cameo; he is one of two leads, with his own dedicated gameplay sections, his own story arc, and a role that brings his decades-long journey full circle back to Raccoon City. This guide covers everything Capcom has officially confirmed straight from the official Resident Evil website and Capcom press releases, so you get real, accurate information and nothing else.
Resident Evil Requiem releases on February 27, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Whether you are a longtime series veteran or a newcomer stepping into this world for the first time, here is everything you need to know before the nightmare begins.
Spoiler Notice: This guide contains only officially confirmed story setup, character descriptions, and gameplay details as released by Capcom: no leaked content, no late-game spoilers. Read safely.
Table of Contents
Will Leon Be in Resident Evil Requiem? The Official Capcom Answer
Yes Leon S. Kennedy is officially confirmed as a fully playable protagonist in Resident Evil Requiem. This was revealed directly by Capcom at The Game Awards 2025 in December, where a dedicated Leon trailer showed him as the second playable character alongside Grace Ashcroft. The announcement stunned fans who had followed only Grace’s story in earlier trailers.
Capcom’s own official description of the game reads: “Experience terrifying survival horror with FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, and dive into pulse-pounding action with legendary agent Leon S. Kennedy. Both of their journeys and unique gameplay styles intertwine into a heart-stopping, emotional experience that will chill you to your core.” That description comes directly from the official Capcom press release, and it tells you everything you need to know about how central Leon is to this game.
Leon’s role in Requiem is that of a veteran DSO (Division of Security Operations) agent investigating the mysterious deaths of several Raccoon City survivors. His investigation leads him to former Umbrella scientist Dr. Victor Gideon, who serves as his next lead. Over the course of the story, both Leon and Grace’s paths converge, and together, they return to the ruins of Raccoon City itself, the place where Leon’s story began 30 years ago in Resident Evil 2.
Who Is Grace Ashcroft, Resident Evil: Requiem’s New Protagonist?
Before diving deeper into Leon’s story, it is important to understand that his co-lead, Grace Ashcroft, is the heart of Resident Evil Requiem. According to Capcom’s official character description, Grace Ashcroft is an FBI intelligence analyst who demonstrates intense focus and insight in deductive reasoning and analysis. Her mother’s death shook her to the core, making her an introvert who immerses herself in work.
Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the protagonist of the fan-favorite co-op spin-off Resident Evil Outbreak (2003). Alyssa was a journalist who survived the original Raccoon City T-Virus disaster in 1998. Grace is dispatched to investigate a mysterious string of murders at the condemned Wrenwood Hotel in the American Midwest the same hotel where her mother was murdered eight years prior.
As her investigation unfolds, she catches the eye of former Umbrella scientist Dr. Victor Gideon, who claims that Grace holds the key to unlocking a secret project.
Capcom confirmed on February 19, 2026, that British-American-Italian actress Angela Sant’Albano provides the voice and motion capture performance for Grace. This is Sant’Albano’s first-ever video game role. She is best known for her television work in HBO’s Industry and The Nevers, and appeared in the 2019 film Dumbo.
Polish model Julia Pratt serves as Grace’s face model. Grace also has her own amiibo figure, releasing in Summer 2026, the first-ever Resident Evil amiibo, making her a historic addition to the Nintendo merchandise lineup.
The Dual Protagonist System – How Capcom Designed Two Completely Different Games in One
One of the most ambitious design choices in Resident Evil Requiem is the dual-protagonist system. Capcom has not simply given you two characters who play the same way. They have built two genuinely distinct gameplay experiences that reflect who Grace and Leon are as people and what their missions demand of them.
The official Capcom description makes the contrast very clear: Leon handles the action side, while Grace handles the survival horror side. According to Capcom’s press materials, the gameplay is split equally between the two characters. Here is exactly what Capcom has officially confirmed about each:
Grace Ashcroft – Survival Horror, Stealth, and Crafting
Grace’s sections continue the first-person survival horror that defined Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village. She is pursued throughout the game by a persistent monster similar in concept to Mr. X in RE2 and Lady Dimitrescu in Village that can stalk her through walls and ceilings. To avoid detection, players can crouch, sneak, and hide under objects like tables.
Capcom officially confirms that Grace is limited by the supplies she can obtain and carry. Analyzing enemies to determine when to fight or flee is the key to survival. She can use infected enemy blood to craft items, ammo, and injectors capable of taking down enemies in a single hit. Every resource matters, every step is a risk, and the atmosphere in her sections is relentlessly oppressive.
First-person is the default perspective for Grace’s sections. Capcom describes first-person as offering “tense, realistic gameplay.”
Leon S. Kennedy – Action Combat, Weapons, and the Attaché Case
Leon’s sections are action-oriented, similar in feel and design to Resident Evil 4 and its 2023 remake. Along with an array of firearms and his trusty hatchet, Leon can fight using melee attacks, parries, and even enemy weapons. Capcom confirms he uses everything at his disposal to take down enemies.
Leon’s inventory system returns the beloved attaché case from Resident Evil 4, where players organize ammo and recovery items in a grid layout. His weapons are fully upgradeable with customizable parts. Third-person is the default perspective for Leon’s sections, which Capcom describes as “ideal for people who enjoy action-packed gameplay.”
Nick Apostolides, who voiced and performed Leon in both the Resident Evil 2 Remake and the Resident Evil 4 Remake, returns to the role for Requiem. This was confirmed by Capcom on February 19, 2026.
Brand New Feature – Perspective Switch: For the first time in the franchise, both Grace and Leon’s sections can be played in either first-person or third-person at any time. You can switch freely during gameplay. This was officially confirmed by Capcom and is one of the most significant new features in RE9, giving players full control over how they experience the horror.
The Official Story of Resident Evil Requiem – Set 30 Years After Raccoon City
Capcom’s official story description for Resident Evil Requiem is as follows, taken directly from the game’s official page:
“A body has surfaced at an abandoned hotel in the Midwest, the latest in a mysterious string of deaths throughout the United States. FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft has been assigned to the case in the same place where her mother was murdered eight years prior. But when word gets out that a police officer has gone missing at the hotel, veteran agent Leon S. Kennedy is also dispatched to the scene. As Grace and Leon’s paths converge, they must face their pasts and uncover the truth behind the Raccoon City Incident that changed the world forever. But while the terrors of their memories echo in their minds, will they relive the nightmare… or finally offer up a requiem for the dead?”
The game is set 30 years after the destruction of Raccoon City, as depicted in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, meaning the story takes place approximately in 2028. The Raccoon City of Resident Evil: Requiem is a nuclear ruin, bombed by the US government to contain the T-Virus outbreak in 1998. The police station from RE2 and the streets from RE3 appear in the game as overgrown, decayed landmarks. Both Grace and Leon eventually make their way back to those ruins over the course of the story.
A key antagonist confirmed by Capcom is Dr. Victor Gideon, a former Umbrella scientist. He is Leon’s next lead in the investigation and also approaches Grace, claiming she holds the key to unlocking a secret project. What that project is remains one of the game’s central mysteries going into launch.
Leon Kennedy’s History in the Resident Evil Series: Why His Return Matters
To truly appreciate why Leon’s return in Resident Evil Requiem is such a big deal, it helps to understand where he came from and what he has been through.
Leon S. Kennedy made his debut in Resident Evil 2 (1998), set on his very first day as a Raccoon City police officer. He arrived in Raccoon City on September 29, 1998, the same night the T-Virus had transformed most of the city’s population into zombies. He survived alongside Claire Redfield and escaped, carrying the trauma of that night with him for the rest of his life. The Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019) retold that story with modern visuals and expanded gameplay, and Nick Apostolides took on the role for the first time in that remake.
After Raccoon City, Leon was recruited as an agent reporting directly to the President of the United States. His next major mission was depicted in Resident Evil 4 (2005), where he traveled to rural Spain to rescue the President’s kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham.
He faced the Los Illuminados cult and the parasitic Las Plagas organism a completely different biological threat from the T-Virus. The Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023) gave that story the same treatment, and Apostolides delivered one of the most acclaimed voice performances in the entire series.
In Resident Evil Requiem, Leon returns to where it all started. He is now a veteran agent with nearly 30 years of experience and countless near-death situations behind him. Bringing him back to Raccoon City, the place that defined him, is exactly the kind of full-circle storytelling that earns a franchise its emotional legacy.
Official Platforms, Release Date, and Editions: Full Confirmed Details
Here is every officially confirmed detail about the release of Resident Evil Requiem, sourced directly from Capcom’s announcements:
| Detail | Official Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | February 27, 2026 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam) |
| Epic Games Store | Yes with Fortnite collaboration cosmetics for pre-orders |
| Last-Gen Support | Yes, with Fortnite collaboration cosmetics for pre-orders |
| Game Director | Kōshi Nakanishi (director of Resident Evil 7) |
| Game Type | Single-player survival horror |
| Perspective | First-person and third-person switchable at any time |
| Leon Voice Actor | Nick Apostolides (RE2 Remake, RE4 Remake) |
| Grace Voice/Mocap | Angela Sant’Albano (HBO’s Industry, The Nevers) |
| Grace Face Model | Julia Pratt (Polish model) |
| First Reveal | Summer Game Fest, June 6, 2025 |
| Leon Reveal | The Game Awards, December 2025 |
The Nintendo Switch 2 version was confirmed at The Game Awards 2025 alongside a special edition Resident Evil Requiem Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller in gunmetal-inspired black with designs from the game. This controller is available from Nintendo on launch day.
Players who purchase Resident Evil Requiem via the Epic Games Store will receive special Resident Evil-themed collaboration items in Fortnite, including a Grace outfit to be distributed after the game’s release. A Hamilton watch collaboration was also announced, with custom timepieces worn by both Grace and Leon in the game and available for purchase in real life.
Grace and Leon amiibo figures for the Nintendo Switch 2 version will be available starting in Summer 2026. Grace’s amiibo is the first-ever Resident Evil amiibo in the history of the franchise.
Before You Play: Pre-load is available now on all platforms. Console versions unlock at midnight local time on February 27. PC via Steam launches globally at the same time. Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition also launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on the same day as Requiem, making it the perfect opportunity to catch up on the first-person RE entries before diving into RE9.
Final Thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be one of the most significant entries in the franchise’s nearly 30-year history, and everything about it has been officially confirmed by Capcom, not rumor or speculation.
It brings back Leon S. Kennedy for what is unquestionably one of the most emotionally resonant chapters of his career, pairs him with a compelling new protagonist in Grace Ashcroft, and delivers two genuinely distinct gameplay experiences in a single package.
The dual-protagonist system, the perspective-switching feature, the connection to Raccoon City’s history, and the involvement of former Umbrella scientist Dr. Victor Gideon all point to a story that has been planned carefully and with real respect for the franchise’s legacy.
To answer the question that brought you here one final time: yes, Leon is in Resident Evil Requiem. He is one of its two leads, he is returning to Raccoon City, and his journey is intertwined with Grace’s in a way that Capcom promises will be heart-stopping and emotionally unforgettable.
Whether you have been with Leon since 1998 or you are picking up a Resident Evil game for the first time, February 27, 2026, is a date worth marking on your calendar.
Resident Evil Requiem releases February 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The nightmare awaits and this time, it feels personal.
Will Leon be in Resident Evil Requiem?
Yes, Capcom has officially confirmed that Leon S. Kennedy is a fully playable protagonist in Resident Evil Requiem. He was revealed at The Game Awards 2025 as the game’s second playable character alongside Grace Ashcroft.
His sections focus on action-oriented combat, similar to the Resident Evil 4 Remake. He is central to the entire story of RE9, investigating the deaths of Raccoon City survivors and ultimately returning to the city’s ruins that defined his life.
Who is Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem?
Grace Ashcroft is the new protagonist introduced in Resident Evil Requiem. She is an FBI intelligence analyst and the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the protagonist of Resident Evil Outbreak (2003). Grace is dispatched to investigate a string of murders at an abandoned Midwest hotel, the same hotel where her mother was murdered eight years earlier.
She is voiced by Angela Sant’Albano (HBO’s Industry) and her face is modeled on Polish model Julia Pratt. Her gameplay sections focus on first-person stealth and survival horror.
Who voices Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem?
Nick Apostolides returns to voice Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem. He previously voiced and performed Leon in the Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019), the Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023), and the Netflix animated series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness. Capcom officially confirmed his return on February 19, 2026. His continued involvement keeps Leon’s voice and characterization consistent across the modern RE era.
What platforms is Resident Evil Requiem available on?
Resident Evil Requiem is officially confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. All versions will be released simultaneously on February 27, 2026. There is no confirmed last-generation (PS4 or Xbox One) version. The Nintendo Switch 2 version was confirmed at The Game Awards 2025.
Is Resident Evil Requiem the same as Resident Evil 9?
Yes. Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth mainline entry in the Resident Evil franchise, officially described as such by Capcom themselves on the game’s official website: “Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth title in the mainline Resident Evil series.”
Capcom has chosen to lead with the subtitle “Requiem” in marketing rather than the number “9,” similar to how Resident Evil Village (the eighth game) was never officially labeled as RE8.
What is the story setting of Resident Evil Requiem?
Resident Evil Requiem is set approximately 30 years after the destruction of Raccoon City in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. The story begins at the condemned Wrenwood Hotel in the American Midwest, where Grace investigates mysterious deaths connected to her mother’s murder.
Both Grace and Leon ultimately make their way back to the nuclear ruins of Raccoon City itself, including locations from Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 that appear as decayed, overgrown ruins in the present day.
Do I need to play previous Resident Evil games to understand Requiem?
No prior knowledge is strictly required, but playing the Resident Evil 2 Remake and the Resident Evil 4 Remake will significantly deepen your connection to Leon’s story. Grace’s storyline connects to Resident Evil Outbreak (2003) through her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft.
For the fullest experience, play the RE2 Remake first, as it introduces Leon in Raccoon City and gives full context to why his return in Requiem carries so much emotional weight. Resident Evil 7 and Village are also worth playing to get comfortable with the first-person gameplay style that Grace’s sections build on.