Resident Evil Requiem Gameplay: Leon’s Action vs. Grace’s Horror Explained
Resident Evil Requiem Reveals Major Gameplay Differences Between Leon and Grace
Capcom has provided a deep dive into the dual-protagonist system of Resident Evil Requiem (officially Resident Evil 9), set to release on February 27, 2026. In a recent interview with Automaton Media, director Koshi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa explained that while Leon S. Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft share a unified story, their gameplay styles are “like jumping into a cold bath after a hot sauna.”
Two Styles, One Story
The game is structured as a 50/50 split between the two characters, similar to the pacing of Resident Evil Revelations. Players will alternate between them as the narrative progresses, even seeing the two protagonists cross paths in the ruins of Raccoon City.
| Feature | Leon S. Kennedy | Grace Ashcroft |
| Inspiration | Resident Evil 4 (2023) | Resident Evil 2 (2019) |
| Perspective | Third-Person Action | First-Person Survival Horror |
| Core Mechanic | Melee, Martial Arts, Aggressive Combat | Resource Management, Stealth, Puzzles |
| Experience | Seasoned Veteran (DSO Agent) | “Biggest Scaredy-cat in RE history” |
| Tone | Adrenaline-pumping Power Fantasy | Pure, Skin-crawling Horror |
Leon S. Kennedy: The Action Veteran
Returning to Raccoon City 30 years after the initial outbreak, Leon’s sections focus on high-octane combat. Because Leon is now a veteran, the developers felt that “quiet sections where you cower before monsters” didn’t fit his character. His gameplay includes advanced melee moves, backflips, and aggressive counter-attacks, giving players a “sense of release” from the tension.
Grace Ashcroft: The Horror Protagonist
Grace, the daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak survivor Alyssa Ashcroft, provides the game’s core horror experience. Her sections are designed to be “extremely scary,” forcing players to manage limited ammunition and hide from terrifying new bio-threats. Her perspective will be in first-person, emphasizing vulnerability and psychological tension.
About Resident Evil Requiem
The ninth mainline installment takes place in a post-nuclear Raccoon City that has somehow remained a hotbed for biological anomalies. Developed on a next-gen evolution of the RE Engine, the game aims to be a “bold shift” for the franchise. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Capcom is genius for using Leon as a “safety valve” for the intense horror of Grace’s chapters. By splitting the game 50/50, they are essentially giving fans two games in one: a terrifying first-person horror experience and a refined third-person action brawler. This structure addresses the “it’s too scary” feedback from RE7 by providing regular breaks of “Leon-induced machismo” before plunging the player back into the dark. It is a risky move to make your new lead a “scaredy-cat,” but contrasting her with a wall-running, knife-stabbing Leon Kennedy might just be the most balanced gameplay loop the series has ever seen.
