The launch of Resident Evil 4 Remake’s latest expansion, Separate Ways, brings back a series favorite, Ada Wong. Players follow Ada as she embarks on her journey to secure a sample of “Las Plaga,” the virus plaguing (no pun intended) the villagers in the game.
Before players can grapple their way to new heights in this exciting retelling of the tale from Ada’s perspective, it is a good opportunity to look back at how Capcom has continued to raise the stakes with DLC episodes. Several mainline Resident Evil games have received these expansions through the years. With the introduction of unique characters, plot lines, and gameplay mechanics, it is interesting to see how these DLCs fare against each other.
10 Resident Evil 6 - Multiplayer DLC
Resident Evil 6 is, to date, the most divisive game in the long-running horror franchise. The base game, despite enjoying huge success in the sales department, had mixed reception among critics and fans alike, primarily due to its departure from the survival-horror formula.
While the shift towards a more action-oriented single-player campaign did not satisfy Resident Evil veterans, the tone favored the multiplayer setting more. The DLC introduced three fun multiplayer modes:
- Onslaught, the equivalent of Mercenaries mode in other RE games.
- Survivors, individual and team deathmatch supporting up to 6 players.
- Predator, an asymmetrical mode played as the hunter, Ustanak.
The multiplayer DLC is a one-of-a-kind addition to a Resident Evil game, and makes Resident Evil 6 all the more memorable because of it.
9 Resident Evil 2 - The Ghost Survivors
Resident Evil 2 set new standards for remakes across the gaming industry, earning a nomination for GOTY at 2019’s The Game Awards. After players complete the main campaign scenarios for Leon and Claire, they can jump straight into the free DLC, The Ghost Survivors, which introduces four additional “what-if-scenarios.”
Each of these scenarios delves further into the plot lines of four particular NPCs from the base game, this time with a twist of putting the player into their shoes to alter their fateful ending. The claustrophobic locales, new enemy types, and unlockables (yes, even a Tofu mode) make the DLC stand tall on its own.
8 Resident Evil 7 - Banned Footage Vol 1 & 2
Resident Evil 7's main campaign is a wickedly terrifying experience, going back to the series’ roots of survival horror, and all for the better. The game’s two DLC episodes, Banned Footage Vol 1 & 2, offer no respite in terms of the horror-soaked setting of the Baker house. However, they do put a creative spin on it with a series of fun minigames and puzzles.
Presented as tapes of footage, gamers can play a sadistic game of blackjack, help Jack Baker celebrate his birthday, or just power through a brutally difficult mode called Ethan Must Die. All of these fantastic DLC additions flesh out the backstories of some of the characters, while entertaining players with a welcome change of pace.
7 Resident Evil 7 - Not A Hero
In another Resident Evil 7 entry on the list, players assume the role of fan-favorite Chris Redfield in Not A Hero. This is another free DLC for RE7 that picks off right where the base game ends.
Needless to say, fans were enthralled with the opportunity to play as Chris in the first rendition of a Resident Evil where tactical gunplay and horror elements complemented each other well. Despite the episode’s short length, players were impressed with improvements to gunplay and combat skills, along with satisfying conclusions to some of the loose ends in the base game’s narrative.
6 Resident Evil Revelations 2 - Little Miss
This one might be a hot take for some, as this DLC revolves exclusively around stealth with no combat set pieces. Though some players appreciate the originality and variety in the Extra Episode, Little Miss, others sorely miss the gunplay and action elements that the series is known for.
Playing as Natalia Korda, a subject of a bioweapon experiment, players learn about the extent of her mental strength and abilities. This curiosity to learn more about the character goes along well with the captivating atmospheric horror setting and lack of defensive tools (except for a throwable brick).
5 Resident Evil 4 - Separate Ways
Both the OG Resident Evil 4 and its remake have been absolutely fantastic thanks to the exhilarating action, variety in combat sequences, and a blistering pace to do justice to the lengthy campaigns. Ask any fan how they would rank the Resident Evil games, and chances are, they will always include Resident Evil 4 or its remake in their top 3.
The reputation of the base game extends to the DLC as well, where players experience a slightly different scenario. This time they play as Ada Wong. While the jury is still out on Separate Ways DLC for 2023’s Resident Evil 4 Remake, the original is still widely appreciated for valuable innovations in gameplay. It incorporates aspects like Ada’s grappling hook for more verticality, her backflips for evasive maneuverability, and finally her EMF Visualizer to hack her way through different routes.
4 Resident Evil 5 - Desperate Escape
Resident Evil 5 is a game of high highs and low lows, but with its DLCs, it’s almost always the former. The Desperate Escape DLC, similar to the base game it stems from, is one of the more action-heavy additions in a Resident Evil franchise.
This memorable DLC masterfully ties Jill and Josh’s plot to the base game’s narrative. Not only that, but it also offers extremely challenging combat scenarios and intense boss fights. Not to mention, it's always satisfying to land Josh’s suplex finisher on the enemy.
3 Resident Evil 8: Village - Shadows Of Rose
While a lot of the DLCs make the cut on this list based on their gameplay innovation, Resident Evil 8's expansion, Shadows of Rose, marks a big step up in the department of character development.
Rose’s psychological journey is one of self-discovery and familial trauma, which adds a surprising amount of nuance and depth on top of the narrative from the base game. Of course, story aside, it is still very rewarding to strategically use Rose’s new ice abilities to slow down enemies and maneuver accordingly.
2 Resident Evil 7 - End Of Zoe
All three expansions of Resident Evil 7 are phenomenal in their own right, but End of Zoe is in a league of its own. Playing as Jack Baker’s brother, Joe Baker, players are able to power through hordes of Molded in the dark swamps of Louisiana with their mere fists.
That’s not all, either. From the narrative perspective, players can find a lot of cool lore snippets for Zoe, the bioweapon at the heart of the Baker family, and more in this wonderful and wild family adventure.
1 Resident Evil 5 - Lost In Nightmares
Resident Evil 4 marked an emphasis on action-horror elements of the franchise, and Resident Evil 5 continued the trend. However, Lost in Nightmares is a trip down the nostalgia lane. From the eerie atmospheric setting of Spencer Mansion to the fixed camera angles in certain sequences, this DLC recaptures the survival horror feeling of the very first Resident Evil, which started it all.
In Don Draper’s words, “Nostalgia- it’s delicate but potent.” And no nostalgia is more potent than being chased in a gloomy corridor by a crawler-type enemy with long spidery legs and spinning webs.