We’re a bit over two months away from Resident Evil Requiem, and followers of the survival horror franchise are already spinning their wheels on theories of what to anticipate because of final week’s reveal trailer.
The latest have a look at RE9 that unveiled grizzled sequence veteran Leon S. Kennedy as the sport’s second playable character additionally had some huge secrets and techniques inside, or so some players are satisfied. The brand new concept making the rounds on-line is {that a} returning villain was teased in plain sight.
At one level within the trailer (as seen within the picture above), Leon may be seen pictures on a pc display that present some kind of virus or affliction that seems to be rotting individuals’s pores and skin or turning it black. The identical situation may be seen in some pictures creeping up the facet of Leon’s neck, so he will not be doing so effectively in his 50s when the sport takes place.
Additionally seen on the display, nonetheless, is the decrease half of any individual’s face. And that any individual is—brace yourselves—none aside from huge unhealthy Albert Wesker. Or, that’s what persons are considering, anyway. The previous S.T.A.R.S. captain and Umbrella agent has not been seen within the canon for the reason that occasions of Resident Evil 5.
As cool as it could be, I’m not bought on it. The final time we noticed Wesker, he was mutated by the Uroboros virus and preventing Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar in a volcano. The duo even shot two rockets at him to seal the deal to try to drive house the purpose that he was useless useless.
Avid gamers have been theorizing since 2009 that Wesker in some way survived the occasions of RE5, however I’ve by no means purchased into that. They blasted him with RPGs and lava. How might he survive it? In fact, it’s Resident Evil, so weirder issues have occurred, however I’m not shopping for the thought.
If it really is Wesker within the image on the pc display, then perhaps Leon is simply trying up some analysis on his personal affliction. That doesn’t imply Wesker has in some way returned (like Emperor Palpatine, oh god), however I wouldn’t rely out his inclusion or relevance to RE9, even when he has no actual connection to Leon in any respect (he was tied on to Chris, Jill Valentine, and different S.T.A.R.S. members, so if one among them exhibits up, then perhaps I’ll change my tune).
Then once more, if this really is the “requiem” for the Umbrella period of the sequence earlier than Resident Evil strikes on to one thing new, then having Wesker as a plot level would make sense. He’s accountable for lots of what Umbrella did and was able to from the start, and is arguably essentially the most overarching major villain of the franchise.
So as to add additional gas to the rumor, the trailer additionally features a shot of what seems like some kind of sarcophagus or coffin with the Umbrella emblem emblazoned on. Is Wesker in there, ready to rise like Dracula?
We’ll see when Requiem drops on Feb. 27, 2026, however for now, I’m holding my Albert expectations tempered.
