Honestly, if you ask a room full of Resident Evil fans about the sixth game, you’re basically asking for a fight. It's the "black sheep." The one that went too big. But even the loudest haters usually soften up when you bring up the Resident Evil 6 Leon S Kennedy campaign. It was marketed as the "return to survival horror," a sort of olive branch to the fans who felt Resident Evil 5 was just Call of Duty with green herbs.
Did it actually deliver on that? Well, yes and no. It’s complicated.
Leon’s story in this game isn't just a nostalgic trip. It’s actually the moment Leon Scott Kennedy officially stops being a "rookie" or even a "government agent" and becomes something else entirely: a weary, slightly broken legend. He’s 36 years old here. He’s seen Raccoon City burn, he’s saved the President’s daughter from a Spanish cult, and now? Now he has to shoot the President of the United States in the face.
That’s a hell of an opening.
The Tall Oaks Incident and the Weight of the Badge
The game kicks off in 2013 at Ivy University. Leon is paired with Helena Harper, a Secret Service agent who is—let's be real—kind of a mess for the first three chapters. She’s keeping secrets, she’s frantic, and she basically drags Leon through a zombie-infested campus because she "has to show him the truth."
Most players remember the atmosphere here. It’s dark. It’s quiet.
For about twenty minutes, the game actually feels like 1998 again. You’re walking through empty hallways, thunder is crashing outside, and you’re waiting for something to jump out of a closet. This is the "horror" people wanted. But then the game remembers it’s an action blockbuster, and suddenly you’re sprinting through a subway station dodging runaway trains and fighting literal "Whoopers"—those giant, bloated zombies that look like they’ve spent way too much time at a buffet.
The dynamic between Leon and Helena is interesting because Leon is finally the mentor. Think about it. In RE2, he was the kid. In RE4, he was the lone wolf. In Resident Evil 6, he’s the one keeping Helena steady while she loses it over her sister, Deborah. It’s a shift in maturity that often gets overlooked because people are too busy complaining about the Quick Time Events (QTEs).
Why Leon’s Gameplay Feels "Different" (Even if it’s subtle)
Capcom gave every character in this game a specific "vibe." Chris Redfield is a walking tank. Jake Muller is basically a superhero who punches tanks. Leon? Leon is the finesse guy.
- The Wing Shooter: This is Leon’s signature handgun in the game. It’s not just a pistol; it’s a dual-wielding beast. If you switch to his dual-wielding mode, you can pull off a five-shot "Quick Shot" combo that absolutely shreds zombies.
- The Survival Knife: While Chris has a combat knife for heavy slashes, Leon’s knife usage is more precise. It’s a throwback to his RE4 days, though honestly, the melee system in RE6 is so broken (in a fun way) that you’ll probably find yourself slide-kicking more than stabbing.
- The Slide and Roll: Leon looks the most "at home" with the new movement mechanics. Seeing Leon slide across a marble floor while popping headshots feels right. It fits the "John Wick" evolution the character was undergoing in the CGI movies like Damnation.
The campaign takes you from the gothic vibes of Tall Oaks Cathedral—which is a great level, by the way—to the literal catacombs. And this is where the game loses some people.
One minute you’re in a spooky church, the next you’re in a cavern that looks like it was stolen from an Uncharted game, fighting a giant shark named Brzak. It’s weird. It’s "Resident Evil" weird.
The Simmons Problem: A Villain That Won't Die
We have to talk about Derek Simmons. He is the primary antagonist of Leon’s campaign, and he is perhaps the most persistent (read: annoying) boss in the entire franchise.
📖 Related: World of Stand Codes: How to Find Real Rewards Without the Scams
Leon and Helena chase him to Lanshiang, China. At this point, the plot is basically a global disaster movie. Simmons gets infected with an enhanced C-Virus, and then you have to fight him. And fight him. And fight him again.
- First, he’s a weird mutant dog-thing.
- Then he’s a giant dinosaur (literally a T-Rex made of flesh).
- Then he’s a massive fly/beetle creature.
It’s exhausting. By the time you’re climbing a rope up a skyscraper while he’s snapping at your heels, you’re just ready for the credits to roll. However, the fight does give us that one iconic moment: Leon and Ada Wong finally reuniting on a rooftop.
The chemistry between Leon and Ada is the one constant in this series. In RE6, it’s more bittersweet. They’re older. They know the dance. Ada helps him from the shadows, leaves him a "gift" (a rocket launcher and some evidence), and disappears again. It’s classic.
Is the "Action Leon" a Character Assassination?
A lot of people hate this version of Leon. They say he’s too serious. That he lost his "cheesy one-liner" charm from RE4.
👉 See also: Bottom of the Swamp Battle Cats: How to Beat This Infamous Subchapter Without Losing Your Mind
But honestly? Look at what the guy has been through. By the time the Resident Evil 6 Leon S Kennedy story happens, he has been a government puppet for fifteen years. He’s tired. In one of the game's hidden files (which you have to earn skill points to unlock, a weird design choice), it’s implied Leon struggled with the weight of his actions. He’s not the "bingo" guy anymore. He’s a soldier who just wants the nightmare to end.
I actually think the "boring" Leon is more realistic. If you spent your entire 20s fighting biological nightmares, you’d probably have some pretty dark circles under your eyes and a shorter temper too.
How to Actually Enjoy Leon’s Campaign in 2026
If you’re going back to play this now, don't treat it like a horror game. You'll just be disappointed. Treat it like a high-octane co-op brawler.
- Turn off the HUD: It makes the game look much more cinematic and less like an arcade shooter.
- Master the Counter: The counter-attack system is the best part of the gameplay. If a zombie swings at you, hit the fire button right before it lands. Leon will perform a unique takedown that saves ammo and looks cool.
- Play as Helena (at least once): Her "Hydra" triple-barrel shotgun is arguably the most fun weapon in the entire game. Sorry, Leon.
- Ignore the Plot Holes: Don't ask how a secret lab fits under a cemetery in a small town. Don't ask why the zombies are suddenly driving motorcycles. Just lean into the chaos.
Leon’s journey ends with him and Helena being exonerated, but you can see the toll it took. He’s still standing, but the "hero" myth is starting to crack. That’s what makes this version of the character worth talking about—he’s the most human he’s ever been, even if he’s trapped in the most "superhuman" game of the series.
✨ Don't miss: Man of Medan Xbox One: What Most People Get Wrong
To get the most out of your experience, focus on mastering the melee-to-firearm transitions. Use the slide to knock enemies back, then follow up with a physical finisher to conserve your magnum rounds for the inevitable three-stage boss fights.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Playthrough:
- Prioritize the "Firearm" and "Melee" skills in the upgrade menu; they stack and make Leon’s dual-wielding Wing Shooters actually viable against later-stage mutations.
- Check the "Agent Hunt" mode if you want to see the campaign from the other side—playing as a zombie trying to take down a veteran Leon is a great way to appreciate the AI's limitations.
- Watch the "Resident Evil: Damnation" movie before playing; it bridges the gap between Leon's RE4 personality and his more stoic RE6 persona perfectly.