Leon is still cool and tough: Lies of P director on RE Requiem

The ‘Hot Uncle’ and the Soulslike: Why Lies of P‘s Director Loves Resident Evil Requiem

In the world of demanding video game development, where deadlines and design choices are everything, finding a moment of pure enjoyment can be a rare treat. For Jiwon Choi, the director behind the critically acclaimed puppet-powered soulslike Lies of P, that moment recently arrived in the form of a deep appreciation for the survival horror franchise. He recently singled out Resident Evil Requiem as one of the games he has genuinely enjoyed over the last few years.

What fascinated Choi was not just the gameplay, but the character himself. Leon Kennedy is an iconic figure in the horror genre, serving as a protagonist across multiple entries, including Resident Evil 2, 4, 6, and 9. Despite the franchise’s long run, seeing the familiar face return, even in a matured form, always carries a certain gravity.

The specific appeal of Requiem lay in its visual reimagining. The game featured a much older Leon Kennedy, a design that sparked considerable discussion among the creative team. The artists involved worked closely to perfect the character’s appearance, resulting in a look that was noted for its striking appeal, captivating not only female fans but the entire audience.

Choi reflected on this experience during an interview, noting how rewarding it was to revisit the character. “It was great to see Leon again after so long,” he shared. He added that while Leon may have aged, his essence remains firmly intact—”he’s still as cool and tough as ever.”

This appreciation for character and atmosphere mirrors the creative process happening at Nough Studio. While Choi and his team are currently deep into the development of a sequel to Lies of P, they are also navigating the exciting landscape of new hardware. The studio is actively engaged in developing their next project alongside the launch of the Switch 2 complete edition, demonstrating a commitment to gaming that goes beyond the immediate release cycle.