Resident Evil 4’s Free Mercenaries DLC Dated for April 7, 2023, as Remake of Survival Horror Classic Sets a New Record on Steam

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Image: Capcom

The Resident Evil 4 remake arrived today on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and while some gamers may be close to beating the remake of the survival horror classic already, Capcom has confirmed that more content is just around the corner. The Mercenaries challenge mode will added to Resident Evil 4 as part of a free post-launch DLC that is set for release on April 7, 2023, according to a press release that Capcom shared today, and while the publisher couldn’t confirm how closely the new version of the arcade mini-game might match the original, it did note that Resident Evil 4’s VR Mode is also in development and is scheduled for release at a later date, also as free DLC. Complementing the news is Resident Evil 4’s impressive launch on Steam, having set a new franchise record with 140,240 peak concurrent players. (Resident Evil Village managed an all-time player peak of 106,631, while the Resident Evil 2 remake managed an all-time player peak of 74,227.)

From a Capcom press release:

Resident Evil 4 joins Leon S. Kennedy six years after his hellish experiences in the biological disaster of Raccoon City. His unmatched resolve caused him to be recruited as an agent reporting directly to the president of the United States. With the experience of multiple missions under his belt, Leon is dispatched to rescue the president’s recently kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham. Leon tracks her to a secluded European village, however after making first contact, he discovers a fervor beyond reason that grips the local populace.

During their harrowing escape, Leon and Ashley must navigate multiple dangerous environments controlled by the cult of Los Iluminados. After escaping the village, their perilous path takes them through an ancient castle, dilapidated mines, and more. Each step brings them closer to new dangers such as infected villagers, deranged cultists, and many more insidious enemies empowered by the Las Plagas parasite. Leon and Ashley must survive these foes while also deciphering the arcane designs of the hidden mechanisms, esoteric puzzles, and tantalizing secrets scattered around. Agents willing to delay their escape by indulging the enigmatic Merchant will also gain access to exclusive rewards in exchange for completing various tasks.

In addition to adding nuance to the characters and relationships within Resident Evil 4, the development team also introduced modern videogame design techniques and state-of-the-art graphics to both faithfully recreate and add depth to the original game’s vision. The infected Ganado have new ways to attack, chase, and outflank Leon with staggering speed and ferocity. In order to walk the razor thin line between survival and a grim fate, Leon’s arsenal of weapons and close combat maneuvers now include stealth, the ability to parry enemy attacks, and delivering finishing blows with his knife. The changes to gameplay also bring an added emphasis on more meaningful player choice. In addition to being able to buy, sell, and upgrade weapons, Leon will also be able to customize his attaché case. Beyond just expanding storage, Leon will be able to alter the case’s color and attach up to three charms for small in-game bonuses such as increased healing.

A Resident Evil 4 “Deluxe Edition” is also available now for MSRP $69.99. The Deluxe Edition includes additional in-game content including costumes, weapons, a treasure map, and more. The prolific “The Mercenaries” challenge mode is also returning as free post-launch DLC on April 7th, 2023, and Resident Evil 4’s VR Mode has begun development as a free DLC.

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Tsing Mui
News poster at The FPS Review.

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