Since the fictional announcement of Resident Evil Requiem, one question has dominated fan discussions: who is the main character? The answer has evolved from a straightforward introduction to a complex narrative involving community rumors and developer clarifications. While the initial reveal introduced a brand new face, widespread rumors suggested a franchise legend would be taking the lead.
Here is the definitive breakdown of Resident Evil Requiem’s main character.
Confirmed Protagonist: Grace Ashcroft
The official main character of Resident Evil Requiem is Grace Ashcroft, a new FBI agent and the daughter of a deep-cut legacy character, Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak.
Grace is designed from the ground up to be a return to the classic survival horror protagonist: vulnerable, relatable, and completely in over her head.
Grace Ashcroft’s Profile:
- Role: New FBI Agent and Technical Analyst.
- Personality: Described as introverted and easily scared. Her journey is about confronting immense fear.
- Skills: While she has firearms training and is a talented analyst, she is inexperienced in hands-on field combat, especially against bio-weapons. Her strengths lie in investigation and intellect, not brute force.
- Motivation: Grace is sent to investigate a series of mysterious deaths at the Renwood Hotel, the same location where her mother, Alyssa, was murdered eight years prior. Her mission is a deeply personal one, forcing her to uncover the truth behind her family’s tragedy, which is tied to the original Raccoon City incident.
The Leon Kennedy Rumors: A Fan-Fueled Controversy
Shortly after the game’s conceptual reveal, rumors began to circulate, primarily from a fictional leaker named “Dusk Golem,” claiming that Leon S. Kennedy was the true main protagonist.
According to these rumors:
- Leon would be the primary playable character, with players spending “far more” time as him than Grace.
- Grace Ashcroft’s role would be secondary, similar to Sherry Birkin in Resident Evil 6.
- Leon’s involvement would be a major marketing surprise, kept hidden until later in the promotional cycle.
This rumor dramatically shifted expectations, suggesting Requiem would be an action-horror title in the vein of Resident Evil 4, rather than the pure survival horror experience initially presented.
Why Capcom Chose Grace Over Leon: A Return to Horror
In a fictional “Capcom spotlight broadcast” detailed by Game Rant, the game’s director, Koshi Nakanishi, officially debunked the Leon rumors and explained the deliberate choice to focus on Grace.
The reasoning was clear: Leon S. Kennedy is no longer a suitable protagonist for a traditional horror game.
- Too Experienced for Fear: Nakanishi explained that after surviving Raccoon City, saving the president’s daughter, and facing countless global bio-terror threats, Leon has become a seasoned action hero. It would be inauthentic and unbelievable for him to be startled by falling objects or atmospheric tension. He is, as Nakanishi put it, a “bad match for horror.”
- Shared Player-Character Perspective: The development team wanted to create a game where the player’s fear mirrors the protagonist’s. Grace’s inexperience and introverted nature make her the perfect vessel for this. When she is terrified, the player feels it. Her struggle to survive is genuine, making every enemy encounter more tense and meaningful.
What This Means for Resident Evil Requiem
Confirming Grace Ashcroft as the sole main character solidifies Resident Evil Requiem’s identity as a deliberate return to the franchise’s survival horror roots. Players can expect a gameplay experience that emphasizes:
- Investigation and Puzzle-Solving: Leveraging Grace’s skills as an analyst.
- Atmospheric Tension: A focus on suspense and psychological horror over high-octane action.
- Resource Management and Desperate Combat: Every bullet and healing item will count as Grace fights to survive against overwhelming odds.
While fans of Leon may be disappointed, the decision to create a new, vulnerable hero ensures that Resident Evil Requiem prioritizes genuine fear, crafting a personal, terrifying story that honors the legacy of the series while introducing a compelling new character to its iconic roster.