As good as the Resident Evil series is, Capcom generally limits it to a one-off experience. They did, but they didn’t feel like a sure thing. Shadows of Rose arrived about 18 months after the base game, and much of that time was spent wondering if it still existed.
It’s finally here, but with more Mercenary Mode content and a bundled third-person camera option from the original title. The Winters’ Expansion is required to access Shadows of Rose as it cannot be purchased in pieces. This review will focus on his DLC, which is purely new and story-based.
Sixteen years after the events of the main game, Ethan Winters’ daughter Rose struggles to lead a normal life. Rose agrees and hosts her in a twisted version of the same European village where her father was kidnapped years ago.
When you wake up in Castle Dimitresque, the manor’s very tall lady isn’t around to greet you, but an evil version of the Duke and his army of moldy creatures greets you. Because she doesn’t have the same physique or weapon choice as her, she sprints slower and enemies take fewer hits to kill her.
Upgraded over the course of the campaign, Rose can temporarily freeze enemy tracks and destroy black goo that targets the core and blocks its path. It adds a bit of a twist and gives you something to think about alongside handgun bullets and puzzle items.
However, Shadows of Rose does little else to differentiate itself from the base game. The gameplay loops of the latest Resident Evil games are endlessly fun, so that’s not a bad thing, but try to set your expectations accordingly. There are more enemies to shoot, amazing story sequences. Consistently good stuff. Nothing revolutionary.
Unfortunately, however, the DLC will not introduce new areas. Castle After he escapes Dimitrescu, Resident Evil he visits another location from the Village, though he has been there at least once. They’ve all undergone giant fungus black goo-covered makeovers, and it’s a real shame they aren’t given the chance to explore new locations.
That’s not to say the same old enemy encounters and puzzles still exist in more familiar places. The middle part of Shadows of Rose doubles down on House Beneviento’s terrifying sequence, with some excellent set pieces full of jump scares and spine-chilling moments. This is the horror element at its absolute peak in the series, and you’re ruining them by screwing them up in text form. If you are, look forward to something different.
This is where the expansion gets original with mechanics never seen before in a Resident Evil game. Capcom really stretches its wings and turns the terror in his one of the most intense sequences in any of his PS5 titles released this year. That alone is worth the price of admission.
Another interesting element that guides you through the familiar setting is a mysterious entity that leaves magical messages on the walls and helps Rose with advice and items. It is heavily related to the plot, giving the protagonist some respite and guidance on what to do next.
Their notes remain vague, but this is probably a good thing, given that further assistance would further reduce the DLC’s runtime: Shadows of Rose finished after just two and a half hours. It feels too short, especially considering how much time we spent exploring and scrubbing rooms for every item. was
at least what teeth High quality remains. Resident Evil’s gameplay feels almost timeless at this point: solving puzzles that a normal person would never think could fit in a majestic house and not seeing dirt in days. Bury your enemies with bullet holes while scavenge for fresh herbs, and since it’s a typewriter, you can do it over and over again. Shadow of Lords feels great to play like any other Resident Evil his game, this time from a third-person perspective. I never get tired of this formula.
One final reason to keep coming back for more is the still impressive RE Engine. The expansion looks incredible on PS5 and runs flawlessly at 60 frames per second. From the way Megamycete’s black slime oozes onto the walls of Castle Dimitresque to how detailed Rose’s character model looks in close-up shots, it’s a step above its base Resident Evil Village, making it one of Capcom’s greatest titles of all time. Send one out in style.
Conclusion
Shadows of Rose compensates for its short runtime by guaranteeing high quality every minute. With incredibly original sequences, fun puzzles, and the usual Resident Evil gameplay in his loop, Capcom elevates the story of the Winters family.
