Leon S. Kennedy: From Raccoon City Rookie to Final Requiem

The Resident Evil franchise has existed for a long time, with different protagonists, villains, plot twists, and so much more, bringing various emotions to the community. Leon S. Kennedy stands out as the main protagonist in different games of the franchise, including its latest installment: Resident Evil Requiem. Let's take a chronological stroll through the evolution of Leon S. Kennedy.

From Rookie Cop to Global Legend: Tactical Growth & Final Stand

Leon's first debuted in Resident Evil 2, when he acted as a rookie cop on his first day, being thrown into the deep end of the T-virus outbreak. Back then, players could discover his naivety and empathy for humanity. A young 21-year-old rookie arrived at Raccoon City on a mission to protect and serve. However, by the end of the game, Raccoon City did not kill Leon, but killed his "faith" in saving humanity. 

On Resident Evil 4, Leon's survival experience took on a new chapter under the orders of the US government, turning him into a highly trained special agent. He was no longer just only "surviving"; he became a tool for the state. His main mission was to save Ashley Graham as a redemption of sorts for the thousands that he could not save in Raccoon City. In this part, we see that he has traded his confusion for sarcasm and professional detachment so that he can keep his sanity. He started to get faster, stronger, and deadlier. 

In the later years, we saw a brand-new Leon as a weary veteran (Resident Evil 6/Vendetta/Death Island) when the weight of constant global outbreaks began to take a toll on his mental health. This was his darkest period of time, when he was forced to kill the President of the United States, Adam Benford (his friend, the person who gave him a purpose to live), to stop an outbreak. This shattered his remaining faith in the institutions he serves, making him believe that the badge he carried had no meaning whatsoever. This was also the period of time when he showed significant signs of PTSD. He begans to struggle with alcoholism and burnout, wondering if his actions are actually making the world any safer or if the cycle of bioterrorism is infinite.

Lastly, in the final chapter of the saga, Resident Evil Requiem, Leon is no longer the rookie or the cocky agent; he is an elder statesman of survival. This is when the threat often returns to the source or a global-scale extinction event occurs; therefore, the man, the myth, and the legend have to take the matter into his own hands. Also, Resident Evil Requiem may finally bring a final outcome to his relationship with Ada Wong, who has always reminded him that he is a human with a heart, not a killing machine. 

The word "requiem" implies an end. Leon’s role in this final part could be to act as the bridge between the old world and a future free from viral outbreaks. His tactical brilliance is matched only by his willingness to be the one who doesn't come back so that others can. That is why we love Leon, not because of his skill or his survival mechanics, but because he is too human in such a cruel world. 

If you are a Resident Evil fan, please make sure not to miss out on Leon's final actions, and use our comparison tool to get Resident Evil Requiem at the lowest price.