The spotlight is once again on Resident Evil 9: Requiem due to a wave of reports suggesting that Leon S. Kennedy will appear as a second playable character. Several reliable sources within the community, including Dusk Golem and the Residence of Evil channel , agree that Capcom is preparing a new trailer to showcase this feature when the event schedule allows.
Beyond the "who," there are details about the "how." Leon's sections would be set in 2020 and would combine more action with a more intense horror atmosphere than in RE4, while Grace Ashcroft 's sections would take place primarily in 2028. There are also nuances: there's talk of large areas but no open world, and the possibility of driving in at least one level. False leaks have also been debunked, such as images with eye patches that don't correspond to the actual design.
Leon S. Kennedy in Requiem: Design and Playability
The veteran agent would return with a redesign befitting his age : visible gray hair, a more weathered appearance, and a black jacket that would accentuate his physique. According to these sources, Leon wouldn't be clean-shaven and would be around 50 years old in this installment, a range that aligns with other classic characters in the saga.
In terms of gameplay, its campaign would feature a measured pace with carefully crafted set pieces and a more pervasive sense of terror than in Resident Evil 4 or even Village, avoiding the jarring excesses of past installments. Large areas with tense exploration are mentioned, as well as the use of a vehicle in a specific scenario, but without transforming the experience into an open world.
Comparisons point to a structure that, in spirit, recalls contemporary games with interconnected spaces and challenging combat, while always maintaining the survival horror DNA. All of this aligns with the goal of prioritizing atmosphere over pyrotechnics.
Two times, one story
The ninth installment would alternate between two timelines : Leon in 2020 and Grace in 2028. Although separated by almost a decade, the storylines would be connected to form a broad and coherent narrative, with nods to family ties already hinted at in previous scenes of Grace.
This time jump would allow for contrasting threats , scenarios, and world conditions at each stage, enriching the narrative without breaking continuity. The result, if confirmed, would be a narrative montage that fits pieces together as it alternates perspectives.
Calendar and presence at events
Capcom has stated that its digital presentation at the Tokyo Game Show will not include any new information about Requiem, although the game will be available at its physical booth for attendees. This doesn't rule out the possibility of a trailer appearing at other events, such as a future State of Play , Opening Night Live , or through specific communications from the publisher.
The company hasn't detailed its marketing plan for this specific point, so for now, mentions of seeing Leon at TGS or a side event should be taken as a reasonable possibility , not an official confirmation.
Release date and platforms
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is slated for release on February 27, 2026. The game will arrive on PS5 , Xbox Series X|S , and PC , and Capcom has also confirmed its release on Switch 2. Simultaneously, Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village will launch on the same day for Nintendo's new console, providing a complete experience leading up to the ninth installment.
Regarding PS4 , several insiders and unofficial listings have pointed to a version for the previous generation. Pending a clear statement from the publisher, this option remains unconfirmed , something that could be clarified in the next trailer or at a future showcase.
Capcom has emphasized that the RE Engine is highly scalable, which has made it easy to add the Switch 2 version to development without creating a separate project. The team has also stressed minimizing the noise from unverified leaks and letting the game speak for itself when the time is right.
How it performs on Switch 2 (early impressions)
The first in-person tests have left positive impressions of the Switch 2 port, although it's worth remembering that everything can change before the final version. In handheld mode, attendees and content creators highlighted the following:
- It is mentioned ray tracing active and a convincing lighting level even on a laptop.
- Target resolution around ~600p rescaled, with a performance that remains above 30 fps in most situations.
- Cuts visible in textures and shadows, in addition to some occasional frame drops in demanding scenes.
- Se que el ESPERA TV mode offer better specifications, something that will need to be confirmed with more extensive testing.
Attendees who have tried the game on handheld speak of a solid experience for what one would expect from hybrid hardware, with the RE Engine taking advantage of its technical flexibility to maintain atmosphere and tension without sacrificing gameplay.
Until Capcom reveals its next video and details its promotional plan, the picture painted by sources is consistent: Leon with a playable role , two well-defined time periods, a clear focus on ambient horror , and a multiplatform release including the Switch 2, with modest but promising performance at trade shows. Confirmation of each piece will determine the timeline leading up to its release.
