Resident Evil Requiem’s director admits they needed to raise the bar for their zombies to ‘keep having that thrilling experience’
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) brings back fan-favorite character Leon Kennedy as a main protagonist, now aged 50, returning to Raccoon City. The game introduces a new strain of the T-virus that creates more unsettling zombies—infected enemies that retain memories and habits from their previous lives, causing them to repeat familiar actions and behaviors.
Director Koshi Nakanishi explained the design philosophy behind the enhanced zombie design, emphasizing the psychological horror element. “It’s creepier to see that they’re slightly more human,” Nakanishi said, noting that the zombies appear as if they could be spoken to, yet remain unable to respond. This uncanniness—the gap between their human appearance and actual capability—aims to intensify the horror experience.
The director also teased potential future entries in the franchise, suggesting that Leon Kennedy could return in future games at different ages, potentially even at 70 years old, indicating Capcom’s long-term vision for the character’s role in the series. This marks a significant shift in the franchise’s direction, positioning Leon as a central figure in Resident Evil’s ongoing narrative.