While Capcom hasn't officially announced anything yet, trail crumbs left by a new update to the Steam version of Resident Evil 4 are fueling gamers' excitement and speculation.
Just two weeks after its critically beloved release, Resident Evil 4 remake fans found themselves treated to their first DLC: Mercenaries mode. However, it left an apparent void - Separate Ways, a well-liked Ada Wong-centric story mode from the 2005 original, which was notably absent from the 2023 remake at launch.
With an update to the game's Steam version showcasing seven new achievements, the absence of Separate Ways is now more conspicuous than ever, prompting fans to wonder if a significant content drop is imminent.
Resident Evil 4 Remake added 7 new Steam achievements for something yet to be released, implying something or another may be happening soon: https://t.co/hYgcELla08 pic.twitter.com/tk740BSbjq
— AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (@AestheticGamer1) June 26, 2023
There's no denying that the Resident Evil 4 remake is a hit. Yet, what keeps the suspense high is the recent update to the game's achievements on Steam. With the addition of five hidden trophies and two placeholders, Capcom has successfully piqued gamers' curiosity. Could these additions hint at the return of Separate Ways? If so, it would certainly account for the dramatic increase in the total number of the game's achievements.
Moreover, a recent Resident Evil 4 leak suggested a specific release date for the Separate Ways DLC. If the rumour mills are accurate, the much-anticipated addition could be revealed or released in the second half of 2023.
Capcom's intentions, however, still remain a mystery, particularly regarding whether fans will have to pay to experience the story from Ada Wong's perspective.
Then again, this is Capcom we're talking about. The company took years to announce the remake of Resident Evil 4 and when it did happen, most fans couldn't believe that the rumors were true. Is it really above the same company to keep on teasing a post-launch expansion for one of its best-selling games ever?
Of course, an earlier announcement would definitely help with the sales. The scope of Separate Ways should match that of Resident Evil Village's Winters' Expansion and Resident Evil 7's End of Zoe, which were paid DLCs.
While it's unclear whether Separate Ways will follow a similar model, it's certain that it would offer a fresh perspective on the Resident Evil 4 remake's events, similar to Ada Wong's unique narrative.
Capcom's recent pattern of releasing DLC for its remakes—while well-received—doesn't offer a definitive pattern for what to expect with Resident Evil 4. Both previous Resident Evil remakes featured paid cosmetics, but it’s arguable whether such content could be compared to an ambitious expansion that would boost the game's number of achievements by 20%.
With hundreds of hours spent battling horrors in the Resident Evil 4 Remake's upgraded, immersive graphics, fans are eager to see something new. Even if 2005's Resident Evil 4 didn't feature a mini-campaign that explored Ada Wong's' connection with Albert Wesker, it'd make sense to explore her character anyway.
Ada Wong is one of the most iconic characters in Resident Evil. She's a mysterious femme fatale that hasn't been seen in a new entry for years although Capcom did reveal that there were plans to include her in some form in Resident Evil Village.
Whether or not Capcom will finally give fans a chance to play as Ada Wong again in a more involved capacity remains to be seen. But, what's clear is that Capcom still isn't done with the Resident Evil 4 Remake.
The best-case scenario is that Capcom is taking its sweet time with the speculated Separate Ways DLC, transforming Ada's adventure into something larger and more expensive than it ever was.
Regardless of what Capcom has planned for Resident Evil, it's best to leave them to their own devices. The company hasn't had a big miss in recent years after a minor stumble last decade with lackluster outings in Resident Evil V and Resident Evil VI. Since then, most of the company's Resident Evil outings, at least in the gaming industry, have been smooth sailing. With Resident Evil: Death Island premiering on July 7, Capcom might be bidding its time to drop the announcement for when it will make the most impact.
Just don't expect to hear more about the next Resident Evil game, which reportedly will put everybody's favourite boulder puncher, Chris Redfield, in the lead.
