The Separate Ways DLC has arrived after the remarkable release of Resident Evil 4 Remake. Both the original Resident Evil 4 and the Remake have the Separate Ways DLC pack, allowing us to experience the narrative from Ada's perspective. Considering the limited nature of the original Separate Ways, I didn't hold out much hope for the DLC expansion, but what we got was a thoughtfully developed, polished experience. It is significantly longer than anticipated, and every aspect is expertly paced and carried out.

How Capcom repurposed previously used sections by adding new stretches was very well done. They included a great deal of content that was absent from the fundamental game but was available in the original version of the game. They did it in a style consistent with what they envisioned, and it is so much better than the Resident Evil Village that it feels more finished and has more substance than the Resident Evil 3 Remake. It's a satisfying conclusion to the Resident Evil 4 remake, and it's where I hoped the Resident Evil remake odyssey would end, while we never know that this remake engine just keeps on rolling.

Ada Wong's story and extra unlockables have been added to the game with the release of Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways. The downloadable content can be accessible in the game's main menu as a distinct gameplay mode. During the events of the Resident Evil 4 Remake, the story of Ada Wong is continued in the downloadable content. Ada was tasked by Albert Wesker with carrying out a covert operation in order to reclaim the Los Plagas Amber from Luis, with whom she had already made a deal. The arrangement is straightforward: in exchange for assisting Luis Serra Navarro in evacuating him from the village, she will receive the amber. Things quickly become very complicated, and for Ada to succeed in completing her objective, she will have to contend with the monstrosities practiced by the Los Iluminados cult.

The tale is told in the Separate Ways, just like it was in the main game, through voice-acted sequences and documents that may be found strewn about the game world. In terms of aesthetics, the DLC maintains identical hyper-realistic visuals as the main game, highlighting the Re Engine's high visual realism. The environments you investigate are nearly identical to those found in the main game, with a few notable variations. While playing as Leon, you won't visit certain parts of the village, you will get to see them later in the story or from a different perspective.

The enemies are identical to those seen in the main game, except for certain bosses exclusive to the DLC. Ada can be seen prowling around the interior of the laboratory in a number of the spots on the island that Leon explores. It's really neat that we get to watch sequences involving him and Ashley from a variety of angles, and then we get to go back and re-enter those settings by going through walls or descending down from the ceiling. You might as well imagine Ada sitting next to you on the couch as you enjoy the main game.

The gameplay of the game is carried over into the Separate Ways. The gameplay focuses primarily on fighting, exploration, the story itself, and completing a few puzzles here and there. The downloadable content pack is broken up into seven chapters, and in each chapter, you will need to progress toward the goal associated with that chapter. The pace at which each chapter unfolds, as well as the information that you are given in each one, are extremely varied and well-constructed. Within each chapter, you may anticipate roughly the same amount of exploration as in the original game.

There are a lot of treasures, both new and old, to locate, as well as a few great mysteries once more, which are comparable to the stuff you would find in Leon's game. You will be confronted by legions of enemies along the route, all of which must be eliminated with the collection of weapons at your disposal. You begin the game equipped with a Blacktail Automatic Combat Pistol, a TMP Submachine Gun, and a Tactical Knife. You will be able to obtain new weapons, just like in the original game. Ada is only given access to a subset of the weaponry that Leon had in the original game, but in addition to this, she does own some weapons that are unique to her.

Even though Ada's melee strikes don't have the same impact as Leon's kicks, the gameplay overall feels more satisfying than Leon's did in many respects. This is particularly apparent while using Ada's melee assaults. One of the most significant additions this downloadable content makes is Ada's grappling hook. It is designed to allow you to grapple to greater heights and explore new regions you could not access as Leon, and it is also utilized in fighting situations. Ada has the ability to stun an opponent before grappling in close and kicking them. Later on in the game, you will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive Ada Wong charm from the merchant. This charm, when equipped on your briefcase, will grant you the power to Grapple Shields from opposing players.

The DLC's signature feature, the grappling gun, significantly alters gameplay. Additionally, there are demands from merchants that you can fulfill in order to obtain additional spinels. While adventuring, you have the chance to unearth valuable relics and build up sufficient capital to make an investment with the merchant. And while we're on the subject of charms, unlike in the original game, in this DLC, you can actually buy charms from the merchant. You could even obtain the Striker Charm, which provides a speed boost of approximately 8% whenever you move.

The addition of Ada's contact lenses is yet another significant step forward in the gameplay. Capcom probably drew inspiration from the Batman Arkham games by including this contact lens in one of her eyes. As the game progresses, you'll need to utilize this contact lens to scan fingerprints and footsteps to complete puzzles. This gameplay element and the manner in which it is incorporated into the action is quite well done.

The downloadable content also includes a number of new side missions and weapons, the most notable of which is an explosive bow. Additionally, there are additional treasures to discover. Even if there isn't much new weaponry added to Ada's arsenal, the game more than makes up for it with the additional story sequences and the different aspects of Ada's personality. I chose the Hardcore difficulty setting when I played Separate Ways, and it took me about six hours to finish the game.

However, there is a significant incentive to return for multiple playthroughs in the form of new side quests, achievements, and increased difficulty levels, which are unlocked once the game has been completed. If you had fun playing RE4 and are looking for extra content, you should get this DLC. Upgrading all of your weapons or trying out new ones, completing side quests, and engaging in new boss battles are just some of the things you can do while enjoying a fresh story with the renowned and charming Ada.

The story is likely the most important aspect of the Separate Ways. The narrative of Ada's experiences rounds out the narrative of the main game by illuminating many of the happenings that take place in the background of the action. The story of Ada is intriguing, and it paves the way for rumors and assumptions about what Resident Evil title Capcom may decide to recreate next. In addition, there is a great deal of content waiting to be discovered in this location. All in all, the DLC should keep you busy for four or five hours at the very least. Like the main game, it features different difficulties and a wealth of unlockables and rewards for returning to it.

This time, rather than beginning in the hamlet like you did in the previous iteration of the Separate Ways, you will begin in the castle. In light of the fact that many of us are already familiar with all four variations of the story, I must admit that I was taken aback by the fact that the omitted sequences provided such a significant amount of background information. Even if you've played the original version multiple times, you'll find that this remaster offers a whole new experience. One of the nicest aspects of this DLC is Luis Serra Navarro, and if you liked him in the main game, you'd adore him here. It seems like a lot of effort was put into developing the characters.

There is a significant amount of debate on the manner in which Ada's voice functions in comparison to the original. Given her role, it's a little strange, but I think Ada comes off as more of a character with this DLC. Separate Ways features new music that is distinct from the original game. Although it maintains the same style of great and powerful action thriller music, some of the tracks even have vibrations reminiscent of secret agents and sound really good. Plus, the Separate Ways has a unique mood that sets it apart from the main game.

It's no exaggeration to say that the addition of Separate Ways to the Resident Evil 4 Remake was one of the best decisions CAPCOM could have made. The gameplay is just as much fun, hard, and intense as it was in the original game. The DLC continues in the same vein of suspenseful action horror as the main game and does a fine job. Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways fills up several plot holes that were present during Leon's campaign. For only ten dollars, you can get an extra four or five hours of thrilling action within the game's breathtaking setting.
 

Azfar Rayan (@AzfarRayan)
Senior Editor, NoobFeed