How the Restored Resident Evil 4 Remake Chapter 0 Stacks Up Against Other Cut Resident Evil Content

The restored “Chapter 0” from the Resident Evil 4 Remake — the one starring Ashley creeping through the woods like she’s in the world’s worst study‑abroad program — isn’t just a cool discovery. It fits into a long tradition of Capcom building entire sequences, mechanics, and sometimes whole games… and then tossing them into the corporate void.

Compared to other cut Resident Evil content, Ashley’s lost intro is surprisingly polished, surprisingly atmospheric, and surprisingly Resident Evil. Here’s how it stacks up against the franchise’s greatest “almost‑was” moments.

Compared to Resident Evil 2’s Scrapped “1.5” Build

Before Resident Evil 2 became the iconic Leon‑and‑Claire adventure we know, Capcom had an entirely different version — now known as “Resident Evil 1.5.” It featured a different heroine (Elza Walker), a different RPD layout, and a much more industrial tone.

How it compares to Chapter 0:

• Scope: RE 1.5 was practically a full game; Chapter 0 is a self‑contained prologue.
• Tone: Both leaned darker and more grounded than their final versions.
• Polish: Chapter 0 is shockingly close to shippable quality, while RE 1.5 was still rough and unfinished.
• Impact: If RE 1.5 had shipped, the entire franchise would look different. Chapter 0 would’ve just changed RE4’s opening vibe.

Ashley’s intro is more of a “this would’ve been cool,” while RE 1.5 is a “this would’ve rewritten history.”

Compared to Resident Evil 3’s Cut Clock Tower Content

The Resident Evil 3 Remake famously trimmed the Clock Tower section — a fan‑favorite area from the original. Players expected a full environment; instead, they got a boss fight and a polite wave goodbye.

How it compares to Chapter 0:

• Fan reaction: The Clock Tower cut caused outrage. Chapter 0’s discovery caused excitement.
• Narrative weight: The Clock Tower was a major story location; Chapter 0 is a character‑building bonus.
• Gameplay: The Clock Tower would’ve added puzzles and exploration; Chapter 0 adds stealth and atmosphere.

Ashley’s intro feels like a creative flourish that didn’t fit pacing, while the Clock Tower felt like a missing limb.

Compared to Resident Evil Village’s Cut Dollhouse Content

Resident Evil Village originally had more content planned for House Beneviento — including additional puzzles and a longer escape sequence. Datamines revealed unused assets and mechanics that would’ve made the Dollhouse even more terrifying.

How it compares to Chapter 0:

• Horror style: Both rely on tension, atmosphere, and helplessness.
• Character perspective: Village’s cuts would’ve expanded Ethan’s nightmare; Chapter 0 expands Ashley’s vulnerability.
• Pacing concerns: Both were likely cut to avoid slowing down the game’s momentum.

If Village’s Dollhouse cuts were “too scary,” Chapter 0 was probably “too slow.”

Compared to Resident Evil 4’s Original Hook Man Scenario

The “Hook Man” hallucination sequence — shown in early RE4 prototypes — is legendary. It featured Leon fighting ghostly enemies in a surreal, haunted‑house environment.

How it compares to Chapter 0:

• Ambition: Hook Man was a full gameplay mechanic; Chapter 0 is a narrative prologue.
• Tone: Hook Man was supernatural horror; Chapter 0 is grounded cult horror.
• Legacy: Hook Man influenced RE5, RE7, and Village. Chapter 0 mostly enriches Ashley’s arc.

Hook Man is the franchise’s “white whale.” Chapter 0 is more like a cool deleted scene.

Compared to Resident Evil 7’s Cut Found Footage Segments

Early versions of Resident Evil 7 had more VHS‑style found footage sequences, including additional playable victims and extended Baker family encounters.

How it compares to Chapter 0:

• Perspective: Both put players in the shoes of vulnerable characters.
• Purpose: RE7’s tapes built lore; Chapter 0 builds empathy for Ashley.
• Gameplay: Both rely on stealth and limited agency.

Chapter 0 feels spiritually similar — a grounded, helpless perspective that deepens the horror.

Where Chapter 0 Stands in the Franchise’s History of Cuts

Ashley’s restored prologue sits in a unique spot:

• It’s fully playable, unlike many cut concepts.
• It’s tonally strong, fitting perfectly into RE4’s atmosphere.
• It’s narratively meaningful, giving Ashley more depth.
• It’s polished enough that Capcom clearly intended to ship it.

But unlike RE 1.5 or Hook Man, it wouldn’t have changed the franchise’s trajectory — just enriched one of its best remakes.