Leon Returns in Resident Evil Requiem with a Sharper Edge

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Capcom has shared new playable details for Resident Evil Requiem, focusing on Leon S. Kennedy’s combat-heavy sections set in the Rhodes Hill hospital. The preview centers on how Leon’s toolkit differs from new co‑protagonist Grace Ashcroft and how that split shapes the game’s rhythm. According to the studio, Leon’s scenarios lean into action and crowd control, while Grace’s segments emphasize evasion, puzzles, and strict resource management. The approach aims to blend the survival horror tone of Resident Evil 2 with the high-pressure encounters of Resident Evil 4. The game is slated to launch on PS5 on February 27.

Two Protagonists, Two Tempos

Capcom positions the duo as intentional contrasts. Leon’s chapters prioritize intense combat and improvised crowd management reminiscent of Resident Evil 4, while Grace’s moments pull toward classic survival horror – slower exploration, puzzle solving, and tight inventory decisions. She can fight, but she is less seasoned against bio-engineered threats; Leon, by comparison, is built for direct engagements.

Leon’s Combat Kit: from Sidearm to Explosives

• Firearms: Alligator Snapper pistol and MSBG 500 pump-action shotgun appear in Leon’s loadout.
• Attachments: A pistol mod that permanently reduces muzzle climb to steady aim.
• Explosives: Leon appears to have exclusive access to hand grenades for crowd clearing.
• Stealth: Crouch (R3) enables stealth takedowns with the melee weapon.

Leon’s tone reflects his experience – older, more world‑weary – yet he retains his dry one‑liners when facing new threats.

The Requiem Revolver and Upgrades

A headline addition is the “Requiem” revolver: high stopping power with piercing potential at the cost of limited ammo capacity. Capcom also reaffirms weapon progression: Power, Stability, Precision, Rate of Fire, Reload Speed, and Ammo Capacity define each gun’s strengths, with upgrading described as functionally similar to the Resident Evil 4 remake (further details are pending).

“[The title ‘Requiem’] references a remembrance of not only the [Raccoon City outbreak] incident itself, but all the effects and the people who were affected by it… so the Requiem gun also, in a way, lays the enemies to peace.” – Kōshi Nakanishi, Director

Melee Shift: the Hatchet Replaces the Knife

Leon’s trusty knife gives way to a combat hatchet. It delivers stronger base damage and staggers than the knife in the Resident Evil 4 remake, supports timed parries (L1), and features a sharpness meter that does not break. A blunt hatchet cannot parry, but it can be sharpened on demand (L1 + Square). Players can swing with R2 or charge a heavier strike by holding L1 then pressing R2. Outside combat, the hatchet pries open sealed cabinets and doors that Grace cannot access.

“[Leon’s hatchet] is another way that the team wanted to show that Leon now has a lot more experience [fighting bio-weapons]… so that was why they ended up changing the knife to a hatchet.” – Kōshi Nakanishi, Director

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Inventory and Crafting: Two Philosophies

Leon carries a 7×10 grid case akin to an attaché, allowing manual organization, rotation, or auto‑sorting of gear. Grace starts with a classic eight‑slot inventory and relies on item storage boxes, seeking packs to expand capacity. The split underscores their different playstyles.

• Leon’s crafting: Collects scrap, gunpowder, and materials to produce items and ammo, in line with RE2/RE4 remakes.
• Notable recipe: Stacked Hand Grenade – essentially two grenades combined for a larger blast.

Result – Leon’s loop favors sustained fights and on‑the‑fly refitting, while Grace’s loop leans into planning and backtracking.

Chainsaws and Clinic Nightmares

Requiem continues the series tradition of chainsaw-wielding enemies. Leon can parry a chainsaw with L1, and defeating these foes lets him use the weapon – with the caveat that dropped, still‑spinning chainsaws can injure. The hospital also hosts returning and new biohazards: fast “Blister Head” mutations and the hulking “Chunk” demand decisive shotgun use and hatchet finishers. Leon’s raw power shifts these encounters from desperate escapes into controlled takedowns.

Developer Perspective: an Older Leon Under Heavier Weight

“He’s seen a lot of sacrifice, a lot of tragedy… that weight is something that the development team wanted to express with Leon’s appearance and personality in Requiem… he’s maybe a little bit more pessimistic.” – Kōshi Nakanishi, Director

This aligns with his gravelled delivery and measured bravado, while keeping the character’s signature composure intact.

Why It Matters

Final takeaway – Resident Evil Requiem sets up a dual‑protagonist structure where Leon delivers modernized action – parries, hatchet play, crowd control – and Grace channels classic survival horror. For players, it signals a deliberate blend of RE2’s tension and RE4’s momentum, arriving on PS5 on February 27.