Resident Evil 4 Remake Once Let Players Begin As Ashley Graham

Resident Evil 4 Remake was not always designed to open with Leon S. Kennedy stepping out of his car on a quiet forest road. Early in development, Capcom built a different opening sequence that placed players in control of Ashley Graham before her abduction. The concept, known internally as Chapter 0, was developed far enough to be partially playable before being removed from the final release.

In the shipped version of Resident Evil 4 Remake, a remake that we've been hinting at for over two years, the structure mirrors the original 2005 game. Leon arrives alone, investigates the disappearance of the U.S. president’s daughter, and is pulled into violence almost immediately. The remake adds new scenes and expanded areas, but it preserves that entry point. Chapter 0 would have changed the tone and the point of view from the very first minutes.

The cut sequence centered on Ashley in an expanded woodland area outside the village. This forest sits close to the location where Leon later walks at the start of the remake. Players would have guided Ashley through the environment as she avoided ganados, moving quietly rather than fighting. The design focused on stealth and observation, reinforcing her vulnerability before the main story began.

During the mission, Ashley witnesses a ritual sacrifice carried out by the cult that controls the region. A brief version of this moment appeared in an early trailer, offering the only official glimpse of Chapter 0 before release. The scene established the threat directly, without Leon present, and showed Ashley as a firsthand witness to the violence that defines the village.

The gameplay avoided combat entirely. Ashley hid from patrolling enemies and navigated paths through the forest. At one point, she spots a ganado dragging Luis Sera through the area. The implication is that Luis is being taken to the basement where Leon later encounters him. These connections suggest Chapter 0 was built to align closely with the main narrative, not as a disconnected prologue.

The sequence ended as expected. After a short chase, Ashley is captured by the villagers. The outcome did not change the plot, only the route players took to reach it. By the time Leon arrives, the story would have already shown Ashley’s fear and the enemy’s methods from her perspective.

Evidence of the unfinished chapter resurfaced recently through a video assembled by modder Michael “Thekempy” Kemp. Using leftover assets and partially implemented sections, the video reconstructs fragments of Chapter 0. Large portions are missing or incomplete, indicating the mission was cut before final polish. Still, the surviving material confirms the scope of the idea and how far it progressed.

Capcom has not issued a detailed explanation for removing the opening. The decision appears rooted in pacing and familiarity. Ashley’s capture is a known event that sets the entire game in motion. Opening with a playable sequence that leads to the same result may have felt redundant, especially for returning players. The remake already includes short playable sections for Ashley later in the game, giving her agency without redefining the introduction.

Ashley’s reputation also likely played a role. In the original Resident Evil 4, she became a frequent source of frustration for some players due to escort mechanics and vulnerability. The remake reworked her behavior and presentation, reducing the sense that she exists only as a burden. Even so, starting the game with Ashley rather than Leon may have been seen as a risk Capcom chose not to take.

The final version instead delivers a familiar opening sharpened by modern production values. Leon’s arrival remains the player’s anchor, while the expanded environments and revised encounters build tension quickly. Chapter 0, while conceptually interesting, would have slowed that transition into action.