For months, Capcom refused to confirm what many were hoping for. But this time, the image is there. On the PlayStation Store, the official cover of Resident Evil: Requiem standard version leaves little room for doubt. “Leon does exist.”
This is a major revelation for fans of the saga, especially since it comes just two days before the Game Awards. On this dust jacket, Leon dominates the image, dark look, leather jacket with fur-lined collar, and familiar posture. “The game’s cover art features a haggard-looking Leon towering over Grace Ashcroft, the other main protagonist of Requiem.”
Capcom did everything to keep the secret until the last minute
At Gamescom in August, Capcom dodged all questions about Leon’s presence in Requiem. Even IGN, which tried to find out more, got no answer. As of today, no official statement has been made by the publisher. However, everything suggests that this cover is not an accident.
©Sony
The developers even sowed doubt, citing the fact that Leon might be too old to participate in the more psychological sequences of the game. “The developers even suggested that Leon would be ill-suited as a protagonist in the calmer phases of the game, given his advanced age which now prevents him from being frightened.”
A return full of nostalgia: direction Raccoon City
The first trailers for Requiem already showed familiar locations, like the ruins of the Raccoon City police station. Everything seemed to be converging towards a return to basics, and the appearance of Leon was the missing piece. “Requiem takes the franchise back to its origins, in Raccoon City, where Leon got his start on the force.”
This narrative choice seems logical: Requiem depicts a post-traumatic universe, haunted by the memory of old episodes. Leon, emblematic survivor of Resident Evil 2, single-handedly embodies this tension between past and present.
An official announcement expected in 48 hours at the Game Awards
Capcom has not yet confirmed anything, but the timing leaves no doubt: this leak prepares for the arrival of Leon in the gameplay trailer broadcast live at the Game Awards this Thursday. “Just 80 days until the game’s February 27, 2026 release date, and just over 48 hours until its big reveal at The Game Awards this Thursday — where gameplay featuring Leon will now almost certainly be revealed in full.” Fans only have to wait two days to see Leon S. Kennedy take up arms again. And this time, it’s real.