Preview: Separate Ways is the expansion Resident Evil 4 fans have been begging for

All of the die-hard Resident Evil 4 fans knew that something was missing from the 2023 remake. Ada is certainly present, but even if you go deep enough to uncover all of the files, secrets, and collectibles across multiple playthroughs, her role in the story will remain a bit of a mystery – unless you’ve already fully digested the original.

Separate Ways was a unique story campaign, complete with original environments and encounters, that gave players a behind-the-scenes look at the story’s machinations – things that Leon would never see while suplexing skulls on the frontline – and now the new Separate Ways DLC for RE4 remake is looking to offer the same thing.

We’ve seen just over ten minutes of gameplay from the new Separate Ways campaign, and everything we saw is getting us excited for the September 21 launch. Here Ada takes the central role, and she’s not just a character skin for Leon’s moveset. She has entirely unique melee attacks to take down stunned enemies, and she can even use her grapple gun as a weapon, clamping necks and whipping foes into shape.

Ada is a powerhouse here, a true sci-fi superspy, and offers the same kind of absurd power fantasy roleplay that Leon does when he parries a chainsaw with a knife.

Separate Ways is built up of both familiar environments from the main game with new routes to progress through, and entirely new ones. In one section we see Ada battling through the initial cannon siege section of the Castle area while under instructions from big-bad Albert Wesker, but moving in the opposite direction that Leon went.

Ada can use her grapple gun to reach new areas to find new encounters. It can start off more like a remix of the main campaign’s areas, rather than something entirely original, but then it hits you with something entirely fresh.

For example, in one scene we see Ada shooting some Blue Medallions on a cliffside wooden walkway that’s entirely new. 

Later Ada finds herself up against an El Gigante fight in the Village’s Farm, but previously impervious structures can now be demolished under the giant’s fists, and Ada can find new hiding spots with her grapple gun. It’s a familiar fight and environment, but when combined with a few new mechanics it feels fresh and exciting.

We’ve only seen a small glimpse at what Separate Ways is going to offer players on September 21, but we have high hopes that it will finally make the already fantastic Resident Evil 4 remake feel complete.