In the end, Leon S. Kennedy has been confirmed to seem in Resident Evil: Requiem — through a leaked picture on the PlayStation Store.
The reveal of latest cowl artwork for the sport that includes Leon lastly places to mattress considered one of this yr’s largest gaming mysteries — one thing developer Capcom has itself refused to handle — simply days forward of Requiem’s look at The Sport Awards. Presumably we’ll see Leon introduced formally there.
This morning, Resident Evil followers started recognizing the brand new cowl artwork showing on PlayStation 5 consoles in the pre-download display screen for house owners of the usual (non-Deluxe) model of the sport. IGN has now verified this ourselves, and might affirm the picture is respectable. Leon is actual.
The sport’s cowl exhibits a stubbled and haggard-looking Leon looming over Requiem’s different major protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. In his look, Leon seems to be most just like his iconic look from Resident Evil 4, his floppy hair set off by a snazzy leather-based jacket, its collar lined with fur.
Rumors have persevered for months over Leon’s involvement in Resident Evil: Requiem, with Capcom particularly declining to reply IGN’s questions over the character again at Gamescom in August. The sport’s builders have even prompt that Leon can be a poor match as a protagonist for the sport’s quieter sections as he is now too grizzled to be scared. However by all of this, Capcom left itself with simply sufficient wiggle room for Leon to nonetheless be lurking someplace — presumably throughout Requiem’s extra action-packed sequences.
This is a greater have a look at Resident Evil: Requiem’s new field artwork, with Leon’s look proven in extra element:
Regardless of Capcom’s secrecy, persistent leaks pointed to Leon’s presence in Requiem, whereas the sport’s story itself looks like it is constructed across the character’s return. Requiem returns the franchise to its roots in Raccoon Metropolis, the place Leon was as soon as a rookie cop, and its “overarching narrative” that was begun 30 years in the past, as of subsequent yr. An early trailer for the sport even confirmed the remnants of his former Raccoon Metropolis Police Division, hinting at his involvement.
Nonetheless, amid frenzied hypothesis, Capcom has been eager to maintain fan expectations in test. Final month, Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa has lastly confirmed that “sure, there are going to be some characters from the previous collection to come back in” however mentioned that followers should not “over-expect or hype it.”
All through all this, Capcom had stored the key the quiet — up till right now, simply 80 days from the sport’s February 27, 2026 launch date, and little greater than 48 hours from its large splash at The Sport Awards this Thursday — the place gameplay that includes Leon is now all however sure to be totally revealed.
Regardless of Leon’s involvement now being confirmed, Requiem nonetheless has loads of secrets and techniques left in retailer. Earlier this week, a GameStop itemizing referenced yet one more unrevealed character, Rosemary Winters, who followers have prompt will play a extra minor function. And what is going to turn into of those characters, as Requiem seemingly ties a bow on the tales of the franchise to date? Will Leon get to retire and cling his jacket up in peace? Time will inform.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You possibly can attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social