Director Koshi Nakanishi of Resident Evil 9: Requiem officially announces Grace Ashcroft as the new main protagonist, though skepticism remains about a possible return of Leon Kennedy.

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Listen up, fellow horrors enthusiasts! The rumor mill's been churning with whispers of Leon Kennedy's return in the upcoming Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Yep, you read that right. Some argue that our old pal Leon will be the main event, crawling out of the Raccoon City ruins for another T-virus beatdown.

But let's get something straight. Grace Ashcroft, the new lead character, is supposed to be the one taking center stage, according to director Koshi Nakanishi. He dropped this bomb in a private chat with Resident Evil ambassadors, and YouTuber Neon Slice kindly translated. Boo, hiss for Leon fans if that's not the news you want to hear.

Now, let's not get carried away. Grace's connection to Raccoon City and the larger Resident Evil universe is undeniable. With her mom being Alyssa Ashcroft, it's clear she's a big part of the story. But c'mon, folks. With Leon's legendary track record, I doubt he can resist the lure of Raccoon City.

Nakanishi's got a history of introducing fresh faces in the Resident Evil series. Ethan Winters from Resident Evil 7 and 8 is a testament to that. And even though newcomers have shaken things up, veteran characters like Chris Redfield have still made a splash. So, a Leon cameo or reference could be on the cards, especially when Alyssa's crawling through the Raccoon City Police Department.

But don't expect the same old Resident Evil formula. Nakanishi's stirring the pot with a "twist" for the Raccoon City revisit, revealing the location in a fresh and unexpected manner, 30 years after the city's been nuked.

I've been frothing at the mouth for Resident Evil 9 ever since Nakanishi took charge. If Resident Evil 7 is any indication, this game could be him hitting the creative peaks.

Now, don't say I didn't warn ya. Leon might not be the star of the show, but the T-virus saga's far from over.

Disclaimer: The character roles in Resident Evil 9: Requiem are not yet officially confirmed. The above content reflects opinions and speculation based on available information.

Writer's Note: I've been escaping my fears in horror games since forever, only to find them lurking in the corner when I least expect it. When I'm not battling ghastly creatures, I'm testing my mettle in metroidvanias or swooning over my Pokemon cards. I've been a PC Gamer team member for what feels like an eternity and dabbled in journalism and documentaries before that.

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The character dynamics in Resident Evil 9: Requiem are subject to speculation. Although the director states Grace Ashcroft as the primary character, there are unconfirmed rumors insinuating that Leon Kennedy will still play a major part. The ambiguity raises questions about who the true leading character will be.

The current information suggests that Resident Evil 9: Requiem will feature a first-person perspective, with an optional third-person view[2][5]. This characteristic might influence how players interact with either character if Leon is involved in some capacity.

In the anticipation for Resident Evil 9: Requiem, some bet on Leon Kennedy's comeback, despite Grace Ashcroft being the supposed main character.
Movies-and-TV enthusiasts might be intrigued to know that the Resident Evil series could touch the realm of entertainment, as the director has a "twist" planned for Raccoon City revisit.
International gaming communities are discussing the possibility of a Leon Kennedy cameo or reference in Resident Evil 9: Requiem, given his past connection to Raccoon City.
While Grace Ashcroft is yet to be confirmed as the star of Resident Evil 9: Requiem, discussions about her role trigger speculation about other popular characters like Leon Kennedy, especially considering the game's emphasis on a fresh take on the classic T-Virus saga.