Resident Evil Requiem Will Feature Returning Characters—But Don’t Get Your Hopes Up

Capcom has already confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem will center on Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak journalist Alyssa Ashcroft. While Grace is the new protagonist, the game will not be completely disconnected from the franchise’s past. According to producer Masato Kumazawa, players can expect the return of some familiar characters—though Capcom is urging fans to temper their expectations.

In an interview with Well Played, Kumazawa addressed speculation surrounding returning characters, particularly rumors about Leon S. Kennedy appearing in the game. While he confirmed that characters tied to the Raccoon City incident will be involved, he stopped short of naming names.

“I would say that yes, there are going to be some characters from the past series to come in,” Kumazawa said. “But don’t over-expect or hype it. We can’t promise you anything. The only thing I can say is that there will be characters who were involved in the Raccoon City incident.”

Leon Kennedy, who starred alongside Claire Redfield in Resident Evil 2, would fit that description. However, Capcom previously stated that Leon was not a good fit as the protagonist of Resident Evil Requiem, citing tonal and gameplay considerations. While that explanation does not entirely rule out a cameo or supporting role, Kumazawa’s comments suggest that fans should not assume major appearances from legacy characters.

Earlier this month, Kumazawa also revealed that Resident Evil Requiem originally began development as an online, open-world multiplayer experience. Although the concept was described as enjoyable, the team ultimately abandoned it after concluding that it failed to deliver the level of fear expected from a mainline Resident Evil title.

Capcom has since refocused the project around a more traditional survival-horror structure. The developer has described Resident Evil Requiem as an intense and emotionally charged experience designed to keep players on edge throughout.

The game is currently scheduled to launch on February 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. With its return to Raccoon City and a renewed emphasis on horror, Resident Evil Requiem appears poised to blend new characters with carefully selected elements from the franchise’s past—without leaning too heavily on nostalgia.