I’m Glad Resident Evil Requiem’s “Bad” Ending Isn’t Canon

by

The following contains spoilers for Resident Evil Requiem

As a big Resident Evil fan, I was really relieved to see how things played out in Resident Evil Requiem! The game gives you two different endings, and thankfully, the ‘bad’ one doesn’t seem to be sticking around as part of the main story. It’s not the first time a Resident Evil game has teased a really dark turn – remember the remake of Resident Evil 3 or Operation Raccoon City? Those games had interesting ‘what if’ scenarios too, but ultimately, they weren’t considered the official path. It’s cool to see Requiem follow that same pattern!

Similar to other stories, Resident Evil Requiem features a hero’s death, but it feels more poignant and hopeful than simply tragic. While the character’s end could have been satisfying on its own, the overall conclusion doesn’t quite deliver the closure – or excitement – of the officially recognized, positive ending. This explains why the “Bad Ending” of Resident Evil Requiem would have upset fans, why it would have been a daring move for the series’ direction, and why the current path seems like the better choice.

Resident Evil Requiem’s Bad Ending, Explained

A critical decision late in Resident Evil Requiem determines whether you’ll face the true final boss or lose a beloved character. The game reveals Elpis, a mysterious creation of the classic villain Spencer. Several antagonists—the deranged scientist Gideon, Wesker’s clone Zeno, and a group called the Connections—are pursuing Grace, believing she holds the key to unlocking Elpis. However, they’re wrong; Elpis isn’t a new weapon, but a universal cure for all of Spencer’s bioweapons, designed as a safeguard to eliminate his global influence.

Near the end of the game, Grace faces a critical decision: use the Elpis to create a universal cure for bioweapons or destroy it to keep it out of the wrong hands. The intended path sees Grace successfully developing the cure, which rapidly works, and saving Leon. They then witness Gideon kill Zeno and transform into the final boss. However, if the player chooses to destroy the Elpis, Gideon isn’t fought. Instead, the game concludes with Leon sacrificing himself to protect Grace from Zeno.

A Resident Evil Without Leon Could Have Been Interesting, But I’m Glad We Don’t Get It

The possibility of Leon Kennedy dying a heroic death is a compelling idea. Considering he’s already battling an illness, it would feel fitting for him to go out fighting, giving him a truly memorable send-off. Exploring the consequences of his death would have been fascinating, particularly how it would affect other characters and potentially inspire new heroes like Grace. It also would have instantly established Zeno as a major threat, giving him a significant victory before setting up a way for his return in future games. Ultimately, Leon’s death could have opened up some exciting new paths for the Resident Evil series.

As a longtime fan, it’s difficult to picture the series without Leon. He’s been a consistently reliable character, and Silent Hill Requiem showed how naturally he fits the role of a veteran hero. His relationship with Grace was interesting, and his determination to survive is true to the character’s history. There are still many unresolved storylines involving Leon, and it would be unsatisfying if he died before having a chance to interact with the Redfields again.

It’s good the game chose to focus on Leon surviving, allowing him and other heroes to continue the fight against the Connection in future installments. The ending where Leon dies feels unsatisfying and leaves Gideon’s storyline unfinished, making the survival ending a stronger narrative choice. While Leon’s death could have been impactful and opened new possibilities for the series, it’s ultimately better for the long-term story that he lives on in future Resident Evil games.

Read More

2026-03-03 20:42