There are video game protagonists, and then there are legends—Leon S. Kennedy belongs firmly in the latter category. Since his debut in 1998’s Resident Evil 2, Leon has been the embodiment of bravery in the face of absolute terror. What started as a late first day on the job for the Raccoon City Police Department quickly spiraled into a career-defining journey filled with monstrous threats, heartbreaking choices, and moments of undeniable badassery. Over the years, Leon has evolved from a bright-eyed rookie to a seasoned government agent with nerves of steel. His adventures span ruined cities, remote villages, sprawling laboratories, and shadowy conspiracy networks, all while keeping his humanity intact. His ability to maintain both courage and compassion amidst overwhelming odds is why Leon remains not just a hero of the survival horror genre, but a hero for gamers worldwide. Here are the ten best Leon moments that have cemented his legacy across decades of Resident Evil history.
#10: Leon’s First Day From Hell (Resident Evil 2)
Leon’s unforgettable debut in Resident Evil 2 remains one of the most compelling character introductions in video game history. With his duffel bag packed and dreams of upholding justice, Leon Kennedy shows up late for his first day at the Raccoon City Police Department—only to find himself thrust into the middle of an unfolding nightmare. The streets are eerily deserted, bodies litter the ground, and the only thing waiting for him is an army of the undead. What sets Leon apart from many protagonists is his immediate reaction: not panic, but determination. He doesn’t freeze or abandon his duty; he charges forward to help anyone he can, meeting Claire Redfield and saving civilians when possible. His vulnerability is key—he’s inexperienced, he’s scared, but he keeps going. The writing smartly gives him a mix of dry humor and heartfelt moments (“This is not how I imagined my first day”) that make him immediately relatable. Even the small details—the bloodied police station, the desperation on Leon’s face—anchor this moment as a defining scene not just for Leon’s future, but for survival horror storytelling itself. It’s the perfect blend of horror, action, and humanity that continues to resonate with fans more than two decades later.
#9: The Gas Station Stand-Off (Resident Evil 2 Remake)
The remake of Resident Evil 2 modernized many of Leon’s greatest scenes, and none captured the essence of survival horror better than the gas station stand-off. Walking into a seemingly routine disturbance call, Leon quickly realizes something is terribly wrong. The dim lighting, the guttural groans from deeper inside the store, the sheer sense of dread—it’s a masterclass in building tension. Leon’s confrontation with his first infected civilian isn’t played for action movie thrills—it’s played for terror and tragedy. He tries to de-escalate, he shows concern, but ultimately, he’s forced to defend himself. This scene paints Leon as someone who never forgets the humanity of those he’s fighting, a trait that stays with him through every bioterror incident that follows. His wide-eyed horror at the transformation of ordinary people into mindless monsters adds gravitas to the entire narrative. Combined with the seamless visuals and chilling audio design of the remake, this moment pulls players straight into Leon’s nightmare—and makes you root for him from the very first gunshot.
#8: The Knife Fight with Krauser (Resident Evil 4)
Few boss fights are as unforgettable—or as pulse-pounding—as Leon’s brutal knife duel with Jack Krauser in Resident Evil 4. It’s a dramatic collision between two characters with shared history, layered tension, and lethal intent. Krauser, once a trusted ally, now stands twisted by ambition and bioweapon augmentation, and Leon must match his ferocity with sheer skill. The knife fight sequence uses quick-time events in a way that feels cinematic without robbing the player of agency. Every slash, parry, and dodge ratchet up the tension, forcing players to stay hyper-alert. Narratively, it’s not just about survival; it’s about betrayal, loyalty, and Leon’s refusal to compromise his morals even against overwhelming odds. What’s more, the choreography and voice acting are stellar—Leon’s curt exchanges with Krauser (“A soldier like you… why would you work for Wesker?”) deepen the emotional stakes. This isn’t a faceless monster; this is a fallen comrade, and that makes every second of the fight cut deeper. The Krauser duel remains a testament to Leon’s physical prowess, mental clarity, and unshakable resolve.
#7: Saving Ashley in the Church (Resident Evil 4)
Finding Ashley Graham in the ancient, crumbling church of Resident Evil 4 marks a major emotional milestone for Leon. From the moment the mission begins, we know rescuing the President’s daughter is Leon’s top priority, but it’s not until he finally reaches her that the emotional weight of the situation truly hits. Battling through dozens of Ganados, cultists, and monstrosities to reach her, Leon’s entrance into the church feels almost holy—light streaming through cracked stained-glass windows as he locates her, frightened but alive. Leon’s approach to Ashley is calm, professional, but reassuring. He doesn’t bark orders or panic. Instead, he gently introduces himself, “Don’t worry, I’m here to help,” showing a side of him that’s protective without being overbearing. It’s in this moment that Leon transforms from action hero into guardian—a protector who not only fights monsters but nurtures hope. From a gameplay perspective, this moment also shifts the dynamic: players now have to keep Ashley safe, raising the stakes exponentially. Leon’s interactions with Ashley throughout the game, starting here, balance gallows humor with genuine concern, deepening the player’s emotional investment. Saving Ashley isn’t just an objective—it becomes a responsibility Leon shoulders with unwavering determination.
#6: The Running Gunfight on the Castle Ramparts (Resident Evil 4)
Resident Evil 4 shifts gears often, but one of its most exhilarating transitions happens during Leon’s mad dash across Salazar’s fortified castle. Once Ashley is kidnapped again, Leon is thrust into a relentless gauntlet of enemy fire, catapults launching flaming projectiles, and hordes of cultists armed with crossbows and axes. What makes this sequence so spectacular is how effortlessly it captures a sense of constant, escalating danger while letting Leon shine as an action hero. Every movement matters: ducking behind stone battlements, rolling out of the way of incoming fire, finding sniper vantage points to pick off distant enemies. Leon’s stoicism during this chaos—never once letting fear get the better of him—cements his image as a tactical genius under pressure. “There’s no time for resting,” he quips after barely surviving another wave. Behind the scenes, this entire castle section was inspired by Capcom’s goal to blend horror with blockbuster action, and Leon is the linchpin who makes it work. His agility, his improvisation, and his quick-thinking all turn what could have been a frustrating siege into one of the most thrilling survival sequences in Resident Evil history.
#5: Leon’s Comeback in Resident Evil 6
By Resident Evil 6, Leon is no longer a wide-eyed rookie—he’s a hardened veteran of countless bioterror incidents. And it shows. When yet another outbreak devastates Tall Oaks, Leon doesn’t hesitate. After being forced to put a zombified President to rest—a personal tragedy, given his close relationship with the man—Leon chooses to fight, not flee. Partnered with Helena Harper, Leon navigates a crumbling cityscape filled with both literal and metaphorical ghosts of his past. This is a darker, wearier Leon, haunted but undeterred. His moral compass still points true, even when political conspiracies and personal betrayals cloud the battlefield. There’s an incredible moment where Leon, staring out over the burning city, mutters, “The world’s in trouble, and it’s my job to fix it.” That sense of grim duty defines him now. Gameplaywise, Leon’s RE6 chapters embrace atmospheric horror—dimly lit corridors, slow, shambling zombies, and nerve-wracking encounters with new bioweapons. His journey proves that even after everything, Leon hasn’t lost his humanity—he’s simply learned how high the cost of survival truly is. In a game often criticized for its sprawling narrative, Leon’s sections remain a powerful reminder of the franchise’s horror roots and emotional resonance.
#4: Shooting the Rocket Launcher at Saddler (Resident Evil 4)
Osmund Saddler, the grotesque leader of the Los Illuminados cult, is a menace that haunts every corner of Resident Evil 4. His final form is a writhing mass of claws and eyes, a nightmarish blend of body horror and religious fanaticism. Facing him is the ultimate test of everything Leon has endured. The final battle is a brutal war of attrition—dodging deadly tendrils, aiming for weak points, and surviving against impossible odds. Just when it seems like victory is slipping away, Ada Wong, the eternal wildcard, throws Leon a lifeline: a special rocket launcher. The moment Leon catches it, players know something epic is about to happen. With a steady hand and unflinching focus, Leon fires, obliterating Saddler in a spectacular explosion. The casual way Leon accepts Ada’s help and dispatches the villain feels both cathartic and classic: stylish, decisive, and a little bit cheeky. It’s an action-movie high point that encapsulates Leon’s growth—he’s no longer reacting to terror; he’s conquering it with flair. Plus, his cool one-liner after the battle (“Sorry, Leon. Handcuffs off.”) with Ada leaves just enough romantic tension hanging to remind players that not all wounds can be healed by firepower alone.
#3: The Parking Garage Escape (Resident Evil 2 Remake)
Few moments capture the essence of pure survival better than Leon’s nerve-wracking escape from the RPD’s underground parking garage in the Resident Evil 2 remake. After a brutal gauntlet through the police station, players are desperate for a breather—but the game has other plans. Mr. X, the towering, unstoppable Tyrant, stalks the player with thudding footsteps and grim inevitability. Every hallway feels like a trap. Every door could spell death. Teaming up with Claire Redfield and briefly encountering Sherry Birkin, Leon’s sense of duty kicks into overdrive: protect the innocent, no matter the cost. The parking garage itself is a nightmare of locked gates, dead ends, and snarling zombie dogs, making every second a calculated risk. Leon’s calm under this pressure is astounding. While players might be panicking, Leon remains the steady hand guiding them forward. His quick thinking, ability to adapt under pressure, and refusal to abandon anyone even when escape seems impossible highlight everything that makes Leon such a remarkable survivor. It’s in these moments of unrelenting terror that Leon truly earns the title of hero—not because he’s fearless, but because he acts despite the fear.
#2: Leon’s Reunion with Ada Wong (Resident Evil 2)
Leon’s complicated, emotionally charged relationship with Ada Wong is one of the Resident Evil franchise’s richest subplots. Their first reunion in Resident Evil 2 is electric: mistrust and magnetism, suspicion and longing, all wrapped in a few brief exchanges and smoldering glances. Leon, still the idealist, sees the best in Ada even when common sense screams otherwise. Ada, meanwhile, keeps her own motives close to the chest, but can’t hide the fact that Leon stirs something genuine in her. Their chemistry crackles not just through dialogue, but through body language—small touches, lingering looks, moments of hesitation in a world where hesitation usually means death. One of the most powerful scenes comes when Ada saves Leon’s life, despite her own agenda. Leon’s insistence on believing in her—even when it puts him at risk—reveals a rare vulnerability in an otherwise hardened survivor. This relationship, built on lies, half-truths, and fleeting loyalty, adds layers of heartbreak to Leon’s character. It reminds players that even heroes who can kill monsters with ease are still powerless against the complexities of the human heart. In a game filled with terror, Ada is both Leon’s greatest hope—and his greatest weakness.
#1: Escaping Raccoon City (Resident Evil 2)
After hours of terror, heartbreak, and near-death experiences, Leon’s final escape from Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 is nothing short of iconic. Battling through collapsing tunnels, mutated monstrosities, and the lingering threat of total nuclear annihilation, Leon, Claire, and Sherry Birkin make a desperate dash for freedom aboard an old, creaky train. It’s a bittersweet ride. The city that represented Leon’s hopes and dreams has been destroyed, along with countless lives. Yet even amid the ashes, Leon finds strength. His exhausted smile as the sunlight finally breaks over the horizon speaks volumes. He’s battered but alive—and more importantly, he’s changed. No longer the naive rookie, Leon emerges from Raccoon City as a hardened but compassionate survivor. His final words to Claire and Sherry promise hope: “We made it.” It’s a moment of victory tempered by loss, perfectly encapsulating the survival horror spirit. This escape isn’t just about physical survival; it’s about the endurance of humanity in the face of unspeakable darkness. It’s the moment that officially cemented Leon S. Kennedy as one of gaming’s all-time greatest heroes—and it still gives fans chills even decades later.
Leon S. Kennedy’s journey through Resident Evil is a masterclass in evolution, resilience, and emotional depth. From a terrified rookie struggling to understand the chaos around him to a world-weary agent battling global bioterrorism, Leon’s legacy is one built on bravery and humanity. His best moments are not just about the monsters he defeats or the missions he completes—they’re about the compassion he shows, the sacrifices he makes, and the unwavering determination to protect the innocent, no matter the odds. These ten moments define why Leon is more than just a Resident Evil icon—he’s a symbol of hope in a world gone mad. And every time we pick up the controller to guide him through another nightmare, we’re reminded why survival horror’s greatest hero wears that brown leather jacket and carries the weight of the world with unflinching resolve.
