Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 Remake will be making a lot of GOTY lists in 2023, blending modernization with the essence of the original classic. One additional piece, Separate Ways, has now been added as DLC, offering players an action-packed experience with Ada Wong. While familiar, it seamlessly blends with the main game, providing an engaging narrative that runs parallel to Leon’s adventure.
As Ada Wong, players delve into another side of the main storyline, uncovering her motives and actions. The DLC cleverly weaves new elements into the remake’s narrative, offering nods to missed narrative opportunities in the original. It spans seven chapters, providing a substantial extension to the Resident Evil 4 experience. And despite revisiting familiar locations, Ada’s perspective and fresh encounters keep the action intense and engaging.
Ada comes armed with her own unique weaponry, though they share similarities with Leon’s loadout. Her special tools, the grappling hook and contact lenses, add a spy-themed layer to gameplay. The grappling hook introduces exciting combat possibilities, allowing for strategic movement and new takedown options. While it primarily serves a functional role, its integration into key encounters and boss fights showcases its potential.
Separate Ways also introduces exhilarating boss encounters, both reimagined classics and all-new adversaries. While enemy variety is understandably not as extensive as in the main game, it adheres to Resident Evil’s tradition of grotesque creatures. Each battle is a challenging yet satisfying test of skill, offering a rewarding experience for players once they manage to get past them.
Priced very affordably, the DLC offers a substantial addition to the Resident Evil 4 Remake. Completing challenges and achieving high ranks unlock costumes and valuable perks, incentivizing replayability. While some areas may feel recycled, the verticality introduced by Ada’s grappling hook breathes new life into familiar terrain.
With quick load times, stable frame rates, and impressive visual fidelity on the PlayStation 5, Capcom once again creates a seamless experience. The integration of DualSense features also enhances immersion, from adaptive triggers during combat to nuanced haptic feedback.
The Resident Evil 4 Remake: Separate Ways DLC delivers an exceptional extension to an already outstanding game. Ada Wong’s perspective, combined with the thrilling gameplay mechanics introduced, offers a fresh take on the Las Plagas saga. While some areas may feel familiar, the DLC’s value and replayability make it a worthwhile addition for fans of the franchise. Capcom’s commitment to enhancing the Resident Evil 4 experience post-launch is commendable, and this DLC is a great conclusion to one of this year’s best.
Score: 9.0/10
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