Capcom discarded the introduction with Ashley in Resident Evil 4

Capcom planned an original intro sequence for the acclaimed remake of Resident Evil 4, called "Chapter 0". The technical segment, which would allow users to control Ashley Graham before her capture, was partially developed but ultimately removed from the final version of the software. Recently, modder Michael “Thekempy” Kemp published a video detailing the remaining elements of this mission, where the daughter of the President of the United States needed to sneak through an expanded forest near the main village. In the sequence, Ashley would witness rituals and see the character Luis being transported before finally being captured by ganados.

The inclusion of this unique perspective is a positive point for expanding the franchise's narrative. Capcom even showcased fragments of this content in promotional trailers, indicating an effort to give more depth to the character and contextualize the beginning of the plot from a perspective of stealth horror. Maintaining elements like the chase in the forest shows that the studio sought to enhance the immersion level of the remake compared to the original game. However, in the final version, the company chose to keep the classic opening with Leon S. Kennedy, leaving gameplay sections with the companion only for later moments in the campaign.

However, the removal of this content is subject to criticism regarding Capcom's conservatism. It is regrettable that the studio backed down from an opportunity to innovate in the structure of a title that is already widely known, possibly out of fear of the negative reception that the character Ashley historically carries among part of the community. The removal of an entire chapter, even if focused on stealth, suggests a prioritization of immediate action with Leon over the building of atmosphere and narrative tension. This technical decision deprived players of an extra layer of context that was already in an advanced stage of production.