Summary
TheResident Evilfranchise has seen many changes and reconstructions over the years, in the realm of its storylines and events through multiple remakes, specifically with its characters. With recent mainline entries inResident Evil 7andResident Evil 8 Villageincluding theShadows of RoseDLC, Capcom has shown fans how new characters can come into the fold while the main cast is still present in the overarching story.
Taking theResident Evil 4 Remakeinto account, particularly with what fans have been accustomed to in 2005’s original title, Capcom has also shown fans how they can improve upon characters and their dynamics vastly in comparison to previous attempts. Just as this has beenevident with two fan-favorite characters in Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wong, Leon and Ashley Graham are both prime examples.
5Flirtatious/Romantic
As much as it was clear in both versions ofResident Evil 4that Leon’s priority was to rescue Ashley Graham, Capcom took the opportunity to expand upon thegame’s ending and Ashley’s ‘overtime’ suggestion. Rather than just duty alone, throughout theResident Evil 4 Remakethe pair often flirt with one another, offering more compliments and romantic hints than usual.
This can even occur outside scripted dialogue between the two, and both constantly check up on one another after a heated segment of combat. During a variety of moments, there is a feeling that the two would both explore elements of romance, but with more important matters at stake and Leon’s complicated relationship with love interest Ada Wong, it remains only a hint.
4Meaningful Dialogue
TheRemakeensures that many elements were much more grounded on this occasion, and dialogue between the game’s two main characters is a massive indication of this. Considering the situation both characters are in and the level of danger that lies around every turn throughout the game, it is reasonable for Ashley to be incredibly terrified, especially as she was infected with theLas Plagas.
In the aftermath of a sequence where she loses control and stabs Leon, a conversation is sparked between the two characters showcasing an Ashley who does not trust herself. Leon’s heartfelt words of encouragement in an attempt to reassure her instantly result in a better dynamic compared to the original experience, allowing players to relate to the characters on a greater level.
3Leon’s Demanding Nature In Danger
During many sequences of gameplay where players must fend off enemies, without the button commands, Leon will command Ashley to move out of the way while aiming at targets. This is not only essential when facing off against abarrage of Ganados and other foesas a matter of improved AI, but it also helps to get across the sense of urgency and authority that Leon maintains over Ashley during his mission.
This is also evident in the infamous ‘water room’ segment in theRemake, where Ashley and Leon are escaping, and he urges her to hurry up. TheResident Evil 4 Remakedoes a great job of highlighting survival horror elements, and while it is clear to many fans how formidable Leon is, the character still maintains a level of fear.
2Protective Of One Another
Ashley proves to be helpful in some sequences against enemies. This is notable during Leon’s encounter with the game’sCastle Knights, known as the Armadura, with Ashley tossing down lamps that stop them in their tracks, allowing players to eliminate them much more easily.
When first coming across Leon at the Church in the Village segment, it did not take long for Ashley to see that Leon was not her enemy, and this gradually progressed to a strong partnership. For those who are familiar with the original experience ofResident Evil 4, there is little to no help from Ashley in the aspect of combat, and while there is not much in theRemakeeither, it still adheres to the change in Ashley’s attitude to Leon and vice versa.
1Greater Cooperation
Speaking of the pair’s partnership, this is referenced much more toward the game’s final stages. Some of this harkens back to the flirtatious nature of their dynamic, with Ashley suggesting both herself and Leon work together once the threat of enemies and the Las Plagas is removed. While this goes hand-in-hand with the events in the entirety of theResident Evil 4 Remake, it opens the door to a potential future for Ashley Graham and her following through with her desire to work as a government agent, just like Leon.
Since there has been a lack of mention or any appearances of Ashley whatsoever sinceResident Evil 4aside from theNetflix animated seriesResident Evil Infinite Darkness, the Remake has provided Capcom with a chance to allow the character to play a bigger role in any future title. Just asResident Evil 2’s Sherry Birkin was reintroduced in the franchise as a formidable playable character inResident Evil 6, the same can be done with Ashley Graham, better yet, working with Leon S. Kennedy.
