Capcom has released free DLC for Resident Evil Requiem, adding a new minigame called Leon Must Die Forever. While it introduces a mode seen in previous titles, it is not the fan-favorite The Mercenaries, which many players were hoping for.
What Is Leon Must Die Forever?
Although The Mercenaries was popularized by Resident Evil 4 in 2005, it actually originated as a bonus minigame in 1999's Resident Evil 3. Since then, it has appeared in numerous Resident Evil games and even received its own standalone spin-off on the Nintendo 3DS. However, the time-based mode does not feature in every entry. While it was part of Resident Evil Village, it was absent from Resident Evil 7, which instead included a different mode called Ethan Must Die—Ethan Winters being the faceless protagonist of the previous two games.
Leon Must Die Forever is a variation of that mode, now added to Resident Evil Requiem. Players take control of Leon in an abridged version of the main game. Early impressions indicate it functions similarly to Village's mode: if you die, you restart from the very beginning, but without the Dark Souls-style element of retrieving lost items. Instead, you traverse various areas from the story campaign, choosing to enter glowing doors to access different sections. A new upgrade system grants randomized perks and buffs as you fight.
How to Access Leon Must Die Forever
The mode is completely free and available now. However, to unlock it, you must first complete the main story mode. Once done, it becomes accessible via the Extra Games option on the main menu. This option is new and its plural form suggests that additional minigames could be released in the future, though whether that includes The Mercenaries remains unclear.
Will The Mercenaries Arrive Later?
Prior to this week, some fans speculated that the main game lacked sufficient enemy variety to support The Mercenaries, which might explain its absence from Resident Evil 7. However, a more likely reason is that Capcom felt the difference between Leon and Grace's movesets was too great, even though The Mercenaries usually features multiple playable characters not available in the main campaign. The simplest explanation is that The Mercenaries takes longer to develop and is not ready yet, though Capcom has remained tight-lipped about the mode.
Future Free and Paid Content
All extra game modes are expected to be free, but Resident Evil Requiem also has paid story content on the way. There is still confusion regarding its release date and scope, but Capcom has implied it won't arrive until next year. Rumors suggest it will feature additional playable characters such as Ada Wong or Chris Redfield, but no concrete details have emerged. If the story DLC is delayed until 2027, that leaves room for more free minigames in the coming months. Given that Requiem has been a major hit for Capcom, the company will likely want to maintain momentum, especially later in the year when it could serve as an ideal Halloween or Christmas purchase.
