Earlier this year, Resident Evil Requiem was released as the ninth game in the Resident Evil video game series. Since then, it has easily become a fan favorite within the franchise, especially since beloved character Leon Kennedy is seen back in action.
The game returned to the series' roots, revisiting old video game locations. It also felt like a tribute to the origins of the series. Additionally, the title Requiem holds a lot of meaning to the message of the game. The word "requiem" is an action that is done in remembrance of something or someone.
In this game, Leon Kennedy seems to be struggling with his past experiences that took place at Raccoon City during the beginning of his journey. Certain locations and events remind Leon of his past decisions. He regrets not being able to save everyone that he has lost along the way. This made me think of the character of Daryl Dixon and his similar journey throughout The Walking Dead universe.
Daryl Dixon has had a similar journey to that of Leon Kennedy. Both Daryl and Leon have lost many people they have come across and formed relationships with. Some deaths affect them more than others when they knew they could have done something to save their lives. In Resident Evil Requiem, Leon reflects on his inability to make a difference in Raccoon City and hopes he can make up for his past failures by saving other lives.
In The Walking Dead, we see Daryl reflect on his inability to save lives multiple times. A time that comes to mind for me is the twelfth episode of season 4. After the Governor's attack on the prison, Beth and Daryl find themselves stranded from the rest of the group. While they are staying in a cabin, they decide to drink moonshine. In Daryl's drunken state, he pours out his regretful decisions to Beth. He tells her, "The Governor rolled right up to our gates. Maybe if I wouldn't have stopped looking. Maybe 'cause I gave up. That's on me."
Daryl makes the weight of those he lost 10x heavier by blaming himself for not being able to save them. Leon does the same thing when he revisits what became of Raccoon City years after the outbreak. He remembers those he encountered in the city and wishes he could have helped them.
As the years pass and Daryl loses more people, his burden becomes even heavier. He blames himself for the loss of Beth, Hershel, Glenn, and Rick. When Rick supposedly dies, Daryl shuts down and excludes himself from the rest of the group.
Leon displays similar qualities as Daryl after his traumatic missions. Leon shuts himself off from the world, trying not to relive the past. He bottles up his emotions and trauma, hoping to move forward. Daryl does the same countless times throughout The Walking Dead universe by keeping quiet.
This makes me think about Daryl's hesitance to help people and get involved with other groups in his show, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. After Isabelle dies and Daryl sends Laurent to America with Ash, he and Carol continue to find other ways across Europe and back to America. When the two make it to Spain and encounter people in need of help, Daryl wants nothing to do with helping them. Meanwhile, Carol feels the opposite.
Comparing Daryl's characteristics and journey to Leon Kennedy has made me realize that Daryl may not have wanted more lives in his hands. Daryl doesn't want to grow closer to people only to lose them, and for it to become his fault that he couldn't save them.
It is amazing how these two famous characters from different worlds can be so similar. Their stories show us that loss is universal and that grief can affect people in many different ways.
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