As a self-proclaimed Resident Evil superfan who has eagerly awaited the RE4 remake for years, I was thrilled to return to the beloved survival horror classic. However, I did have one burning question—would the "Separate Ways" DLC that lets us play as spy Ada Wong prove worth buying?
After obsessively analyzing every detail of this extra content through repeated playthroughs, I can confidently declare this a must-have addition for RE4 lovers. From reacting in real-time to fresh foes to gushing over potential unlocks in a hypothetical Gold edition, join me in diving deep on why Ada‘s dangerous yet rewarding mission knocked my socks off!
Hook, Line and Slinger
The first thing that struck me about Separate Ways was the versatility added by Ada‘s fancy new grappling hook gadget. As a nimble spy without the brute strength of series hero Leon S. Kennedy, she relies on this multifunctional device—and her intelligence—to traverse through zombie-infested territory.
As both a narrative setup and gameplay mechanic, I found myself instantly drawn to creatively using the hook shot to scale buildings, swing past danger, and access unexpected vantage points during action-packed cutscenes and tense exploration alike.
But beyond enhancing movement and exploration possibilities, the hook shot also complements Separate Ways‘ satisfying combat system. I often found myself eagerly utilizing my new vertical freedom to get the drop (quite literally!) on enemies from above.
Nothing captures that signature Resident Evil desperate tension better than dropping in on a hostile ganado horde and blasting them away with a shotgun before grappling to safety! Between customizable gear loadouts and environments tailor-made for the hook shot, Separate Ways constantly empowers players to approach encounters creatively.
Satisfying Skill Shots
Elaborating more on combat, skills shots that utilize the hook shot in tandem with Ada‘s other gadgets and weapons prove incredibly empowering.
For instance, by cracking off quick shots from one of my favorites—the semi-auto SIG 556 assault rifle—to stun a target, then firing the hook shot into their torso for a gory finishing blow is sadistically satisfying. Ada may lack brute strength, but she can outsmart foes through devastating technical prowess!
The hook shot also facilitated what ultimately became my preferred attack combo: blast away with the riot gun shotgun up close, then as enemies recoil from the spread, utilize the opening to embed the hook brutal melee yank attack. Landing the timing on this visceral trick shot, enhanced by the vivid HD graphics, never ceased feeling oh so good.
Dynamic Duels
Another element that kept combat encounters seeming fresh is the hook shot‘s ability to allow Ada to maneuver onto nearly any environmental fixture in a given location. This means even familiar locales compared to Leon‘s journey retain appeal by providing vertically-inclined combat dynamics.
The Novistador hive section provides a stellar example. As opposed to staying grounded against the bug onslaught, I‘d regular take advantage of the hook shot to grapple ceiling fixtures before blasting away, then utilize mobility again to evade counterattacks. The flexibility here makes simple gunplay evolve into almost Spider-Man-esque aerial duels!
Competitive Edge
Beyond campaign playthroughs, I also believe the introduction of Ada‘s versatile hook shot skills during playable Eliminator Mercenaries tournaments could resonate with competitive players optimizing high score attack routes.
Now yes, series veterans likely have long-preferred paths etched into muscle memory already as combat titans like Krauser. However, hook shot mastery enables routes that likely never occurred during their many hours of playtime before, adding fresh spice!
Between utilizing the tool for rapid positioning, unlocking elevation-enabled weapon combos as mentioned above, or exploiting certain vulnerabilities from unexpected angles, dedicated players seeking leaderboard dominance surely have ample incentive to adopt Ada‘s moveset into their repertoires after mastering her gear during the Separate Ways expansion.
Freaky, Fresh Foes
Part of what makes Separate Ways feel distinct is that rather than purely reusing existing assets, Capcom designed some new baddies just for Ada‘s dangerous mission. The creepy Novistador insects may induce bad flashbacks for RE4 veterans about getting overwhelmed and having your head swallowed whole! But here, their hive-like homes invite nervously exploration through dark, claustrophobic tunnels never traversed during Leon‘s initial quest.
In an unnerving sequence I won‘t soon forget, I slowly stalked through one of said hives peppering the ravenous creatures with pistol headshots. Just when I finally escaped the confined maze, a nightmarish surprise emerged—a colossal Novistador queen! This freak brute immediately burst forth as a formidable boss fight, backed by a haunting orchestral theme.
Dodging her charge attacks while trying to target the bright orange egg sac protrusion on her back proved wildly intense. And yes, ultimately after emptying tons of magnum rounds into her pulsing weak spot, victory was achieved. But what a memorable battle!
The Lumbering Legend, U3
Speaking of bosses, Separate Ways grants an exclusive confrontation with the franchise first—U3. Fans may recall leaked concept art surrounding a hulking ogre-like monstrosity dubbed U3, who appeared to wield a massive steel anchor as a weapon. Despite intriguing fans, this enemy failed to make RE4‘s final cut…until now, revived for Ada‘s DLC mission!
I positively geeked out when the lumbering legend himself crashed onto the scene, just barely fitting into the cavernous interior arena. At long last seeing U3 fully animated in-engine while unleashing his towering physicality on Ada made for an intense, almost cathartic "pinch me I must be dreaming!" moment.
Wielding that gigantic anchor through various attack combos demanded equal parts aggression and evasion too. Whether it‘s slammed down to generate wide shockwaves, hurled as a deadly projectile to smash straight through cover, or used to hook (heh) and toss Ada across the arena, U3 kept me on my toes with more than mere brute strength.
In the end, after emptying all available lightning arrows into his flame sac weak point, the monster went down. But he sure left his mark as a standout rival for our femme fatale!
Everybody Revisits Raccoon City
Now sure, familiar locales from Leon‘s experience do reappear during Ada‘s parallel journey. Yet the chance to see iconic areas like the castle courtyard, sewer networks, and quaint rural Spanish hamlets from her unique perspective retains plenty of refreshing appeal in my eyes.
Plus, retracing my steps while reminiscing "oh yeah, this is the room where I decapitated my first chainsaw ganado as Leon!" made for an almost nostalgically heartwarming Resident Evil tour highlighting how two simple shifts in location and character can utterly transform one‘s viewpoint of "been there, done that" events.
Case in point—Ada‘s rendezvous with mysterious allies Luis Sera and Albert Wesker himself. Her uneasy alliance and conversations with Luis amidst their search for cult leader Saddler‘s research samples plays out entirely differently than Leon and Luis‘ bro-tastic chemistry.
And while obviously accustomed to his signature dramatic entrances at this point, even I couldn‘t help but gasp out loud when Wesker himself calmly emerged from the shadows. Sure, maybe his glowing evil eyes are an unrealistic genetic modification…but dang, what a perfect way for Capcom to fan service-y einer geek like me!
Ensemble Supporting Cast Appeal
Wesker‘s cameo reminded me how much I‘d love to see more of RE4‘s colorful supporting figures receive DLC spotlight beyond Miss Wong. Mercenaries mode has always let us embody personalities like Jack Krauser, Ada, and Hunk who bring unique flair through their signature armaments and abilities.
But why not take things further by developing their narratives via solo expansion content too? I‘d delight in the potential for future Resident Evil 4 Remake DLC opportunities to shine the spotlight on more of its ensemble membership. Let Luis take point to investigate Los Illuminados secrets, or follow the cold machinations of Wesker behind Saddler‘s grisly ambitions!
Another clear candidate would be granting one of the mystery to me characters screen time (and playability!) at last—the unnamed helicopter pilot aiding Leon‘s infiltration. His background and ties to the unfolding situations remain obscure…for now! But a prequel side episode those tantalizing threads could spin truly riveting revelations through repayable action in my dreams.
Come on, Capcom—no need to stop at Separate Ways. Lean into this compilation‘s magnificent personality roster!
An Appetizer For More DLC, Perhaps?
I don‘t know about you, but based on recent Resident Evil release trends, to me Separate Ways smells strongly like merely the opening salvo rather than the entirety of RE4 Remake DLC.
After all, examining how newer mainline series entries were supported proves illuminating. Title‘s like Resident Evil 7 dished up multiple hearty helpings of additional content post-launch, with quality story expansions putting fan favorite faces like Chris Redfield or grown-up Sherry Birkin in the playable driver‘s seat.
Heck, in terms of sheer volume, RE7 and its successors might have the most DLC to date, keeping engagement thriving years after launch! Noteworthy additions like End of Zoe offered entirely self-contained narrative arcs independent of core campaign events starring different protagonists with their own unique mechanics—a formula Separate Ways clearly takes inspiration from.
Viewed through the lens those extensive content roadmaps, to me Ada‘s intense yet comparably bite-sized 6-7 hour solo outing could merely constitute the appetizer kicking off a full buffet spread moving forward.
Definitive Edition Unlocks
If I had to guess at potential RE4 Remake post-launch plans, a Resident Evil 4: Gold Edition akin to the definitive releases of RE5 and RE6 seems like an obvious slam dunk. Such encore versions tend to bundle previously console-exclusive weapons, costumes, and perks into a Game of the Year-style package with all bonus DLC included—in this case, Separate Ways.
Fantasizing a bit about what this hypothetical RE4 Golden Version could include, my mind races with glee at possibilities like…
- Ada‘s signature tactical bow weapon from older versions finally unlocked for her Separate Ways arsenal
- Alternate classic costumes echoing everyone‘s looks from the original 2005 launch
- Special golden skins for iconic weapons like the Red9 Handgun or Chicago Typewriter machine gun
- Overpowered dual-wield Plaga Removal Laser Gun variants added as cheats for casual fun
- Additional Mercenary characters such as the mysterious helicopter pilot or young Ramon Salazar
- Maybe even a new side episode continuing Separate Ways to tease RE6 events?
Suffice to say, as a passionate, eager member of the Resident Evil community, my mind races imagining what bonus goodies developers could have cooking up their sleeves! Of course I‘d happily purchase such DLC packs just for the chance to finally utilize Ada‘s crossbow in today‘s stunning RE Engine glory.
Remaking the Remakes?
Personally though, despite such fantasizing, I‘d honestly rather see Capcom invest development resources into remaking equally landmark yet comparatively antiquated classics instead—titles like the original Resident Evil (1996) and Code: Veronica.
Don‘t get me wrong, I‘d obviously enjoy any and all additional RE4 content with open arms! However, we devoted fans do genuinely appreciate overall series quality over sheer quantity. And the itch to modernize those early tank control survival horror masterworks remains uniquely unsated still after RE2 and RE3 remakes.
Furthermore, while Resident Evil newcomers from recent generations might clamor eagerly for a hip modern RE5 remake after trying the brilliant RE4 refresh, I‘d argue the logical next step lies in closing up franchise gaps. Code Veronica‘s core conspiracy narrative bridges directly into everything witnessed during RE4 and onward.
So in summary? More RE4 bonus material sounds lovely, but revisiting neglected yet narratively relevant preceding chapters deserves higher priority I‘d say us old schoolers. What do you think though? I‘m open to counterpoints if anyone disagrees!