Why Leon Kennedy Appearing in a Future Resident Evil Would Only Make Sense

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Why Leon Kennedy Appearing in a Future Resident Evil Would Only Make Sense

Highlights

  • Leon Kennedy has become a key figure in the Resident Evil franchise, making strong impressions on fans old and new.
  • Leon’s prominent roles in recent games and crossovers solidify his status as the new face of the franchise.
  • It would therefore make sense for him to lead Resident Evil 9 and help define the future of the series.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Leon Kennedy has become the undisputed king of the Resident Evil franchise. From his humble beginnings in Resident Evil 2 to his latest stints in Fortnite and Dead by Daylight, this guy just keeps on giving!

Characters in the Resident Evil series have consistently been among its most compelling features. Although terrifying creatures and zombies are essential elements for any horror narrative, a robust band of human survivors is equally crucial. Audiences require a core team of heroes to rally behind and eventually mourn when they face tragic demises. Resident Evil has generally succeeded in making players empathize with its characters, frequently achieving this bond through both narrative and gameplay mechanics.

In the thrilling survival horror games, players are given a restricted number of supplies and must navigate through terrifying scenarios to stay alive. This intense experience often leads players to develop a deep connection with their character, as their survival tactics align closely with those of the character. This is the reason why many fans of the Resident Evil series have such strong emotional ties to the iconic characters, and one particular character seems destined for recurring appearances more frequently than others.

Leon Kennedy’s Resident Evil Return Seems Imminent

Leon Kennedy Has Become The Face of the Resident Evil Franchise

Over the course of its history, the Resident Evil series has introduced several unforgettable main characters. Pioneers like Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine left a lasting mark with their appearances in the franchise’s first game, while figures such as Claire Redfield and Ada Wong have consistently captivated audiences whenever they appear on-screen. However, no character from Resident Evil has garnered as much attention and recurrence as Leon S. Kennedy in recent times.

First appearing in “Resident Evil 2” back in 1998, Leon Kennedy has been a recurring character across numerous games within the series’ extensive timeline. However, one of Leon’s most significant roles occurred with the release of the “Resident Evil 2 Remake” in 2019. Although “Resident Evil 7” in 2017 marked a strong revival for the franchise following the less-than-favorable response to “Resident Evil 6”, it was the “Resident Evil 2 Remake” that truly brought the franchise back to its initial splendor. Leon Kennedy played a pivotal part in this resurgence.

In early 2021, it became clear that the remake of Resident Evil 2 has broken records as the top-selling game in the entire franchise, moving more than 13.9 million units. It’s likely that many newcomers to the series made their introduction to the world of Resident Evil through this remake, and for those players, Leon Kennedy was likely the first hero they grew attached to. That bond could have been strengthened even further with last year’s release of the Resident Evil 4 Remake, which puts a strong focus on Leon Kennedy as its main character.

Over the past few years, Leon Kennedy has made appearances in several games outside the Resident Evil series, including Dead by Daylight and Fortnite as a crossover character. While other Resident Evil protagonists have also been featured recently, none seems to be as active as him, making him the most prominent figure of the franchise now.

If Resident Evil Is Bringing Back Mascots, Leon Kennedy Should Be First on the List

A significant speculation about the upcoming “Resident Evil 9” is that it might bring back some iconic characters from the past. If this is indeed true, then it’s plausible that Leon Kennedy could play a significant part in the game, perhaps even as a key character if not the main protagonist, but certainly within the NPC group. Leon Kennedy serves as a link between longtime fans and new players, with the former appreciating him for years while the latter find his more recent portrayals appealing. Given this, it seems sensible for Capcom to continue featuring Leon Kennedy in the “Resident Evil” series going forward.

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2024-08-03 04:04