It’s fair to say that Capcom‘s run of Resident Evil remasters and remakes have fared well critically and commercially. Resident Evil 4 was the last game to be given the treatment, and it too went down rather nicely. However, when the credits rolled on the main tale, those in the know held out hope that Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways would see a re-release. And here it is.
The original release of Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways was a free pack-in with the PS2 version of the game. However times have changed and it’s now a beefy chunk of pay-for DLC which is fair given what you get.
New Perspective
You step into the high heels of anti-heroine Ada Wong who is let’s say a shadowy spy/gun for hire of sorts in the Resident Evil universe. Who is hired by series bad guy Albert Wesker, to hunt down a biological weapon.
With a bit of help from the loveable rogue Luis Navarro – who gives Ada the run-around just as much as our floppy haired boy, Leon.
Read More: Resident Evil 4 Remake – GOAT Ornamented
You play a more compact version in ways of the core game. One where you find yourself in familiar areas, though from a different perspective. Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways also helps answer a few of the unanswered questions by the core tale.
It’s a little like what Resident Evil 3 was to Resident Evil 2, in that it all unfolds in a similar timeframe. With Ada and Leon being true passing ships in the night at times, as you’ll see and often hear him, but never the twain shall meet.
New-ish Journey
The tale of Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways has also seen a bit of work and offers something new for the most hardcore of fans. The story moves along slightly differently from the original version leading to a brand new ending.
Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways‘ gameplay is more of the same with a few important tweaks. Ada moves slightly faster than Leon, uses different melee attacks and can use a hookshot to reach areas inaccessible to Leon. This adds some real verticality to the mix.
Read More: Resident Evil Village review – Beautiful. Deadly. Uneven.
This opens up the exploration side of things a little bit, as there are plenty of hidden secrets and treasures to find. Treasures that you can then flog to buy more guns, items and upgrades.
Plus, the hookshot can whip shields away from enemies to speed up battles with turtling foes. This, coupled with Ada’s faster speed, leads to more brisk combat. And this contrasts nicely with the slower pace fostered by the encouragement to explore.
Detective Ada Wong
You also have high tech contact lenses that act a bit like Batman’s detective mode from the Arkham games. Sadly, this feature is never really used to its fullest. More often than not, it’s relegated to flashy dressing for a simple puzzle.
Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways sees the overall price of items lowered from the main game. This is certainly to balance out the shorter run times but it does allow players to try more items out.
A Resident Evil
Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways looks amazing and is of the standard you would expect. Sound, on the other hand, is good, but Ada herself comes across cold, rather than cool and edgy. Ada’s delivery can veer into monotone at times.
Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways is a more than worthy addition to the core game, adding in slick new tweaks, set pieces and a fresh spin on its tale.
Ada’s altered abilities change the flow of the game. They also give you a different perspective on some areas of the map you thought you knew like your home street.
Separate Ways is a meaningful extension that makes an already phenomenal game feel even more complete. If you’ve enjoyed the core game, it’s the excuse you are looking for to head back to Spain.