The Resident Evil 4 remake is my Sport of the 12 months thus far; no query about it. Even then, I used to be anxious that the Separate Methods DLC wouldn’t fairly ship.

Effectively, it did! After which some.

Resident Evil 4: Separate Methods DLC (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox Sequence X/S)
Developer: Capcom
Writer: Capcom
Launched: September 21, 2023
MSRP: $9.99

For those who’ve by no means performed Separate Methods earlier than (it was a aspect/unlockable mode within the unique launch and never a paid DLC), it’s a gaiden of kinds that offers with what Ada Wong was as much as behind the scenes whereas Leon was out hamming it up and kicking ass. You’ll often meet-cute with Leon throughout the narrative, and cope with previous/new enemy sorts, in addition to run by means of previous/new areas.

I used to be extraordinarily skeptical of how Capcom would method this idea with the remake, particularly within the type of a DLC. What we ended up getting not solely serves as a implausible praise to Resident Evil 4‘s reimagined world: but it surely’s additionally a reminder of simply how unimaginable the action-shooter basis of the remake actually is.

The very first thing that I observed was how shortly I acclimated to getting again within the saddle. Ada largely controls the identical as Leon (and can make the most of lots of the identical weaponry/equipment), with one notable exception: Ada has a useful grappling hook. Whereas the environmental grappling factors are reasonably sparing and stuck, the best way Ada makes use of her grappling hook each in fight and through cutscenes actually helps differentiate the DLC from the core sport.

Along with her added maneuverability, it’s a blast to discern whether or not or not a struggle is “value it,” particularly when a grappling icon is pinging you close by. It additionally provides some actually tense moments the place you’re like “I’m bailing on this sh*tshow utterly,” and frantically seek for a grapple level. Plus, it’s a rush to be like “Oh yeah, I can melee from far-off now since Ada’s grappling hook will propel you towards the goal like Batman.” It introduces an entire new layer to the best way you method fight within the remake, which was already the sport’s strongest facet.

That’s actually its chief secret weapon: it’s extra Resident Evil 4 remake. Capcom provides in content material from the OG that’s lacking from the 2023 model and does it in a reasonably glossy means that doesn’t permit these parts to overstay their welcome. Consider it is a compact-ish DLC (you’ll be able to end it in 3-5 hours), but it surely barely has any fats on its bones. It’s additionally simply as polished mechanically as the bottom RE4 remake. The one actual technical concern I had with the DLC included an audio bug (the place I couldn’t hear sure characters talking). That’s just about it.

Separate Methods neatly integrates lots of the extras from Leon’s journey: together with 4 issue ranges (in addition to the unlockable “Skilled issue,” which I began proper after ending the DLC), beauty extras unique to the DLC, and naturally, graded rankings to try to clear sooner or later. I plan on replaying the Resident Evil 4 remake on Skilled mode each different yr or so, and now I’ll fortunately add a Separate Methods playthrough to that marathon.

I’m simply as shocked as you might be that Separate Methods ended up being nice, however while you actually give it some thought, there was no different practical final result. The Resident Evil 4 remake is so good that Capcom actually might have rested on its laurels and developed an affordable DLC that will have been positive at worst, however they put the work in.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the DLC provided by the publisher.]}