Can you imagine starting the Resident Evil 4 Remake not as Leon, but as Ashley? Well, get this: that was almost a reality! The developers at Capcom were kicking around the idea of a completely new introduction that would put you in Ashley's shoes right from the get-go. I mean, how wild would that have been?

Think about it. Instead of the familiar approach to the village, we could have experienced the initial horror and confusion through Ashley's eyes. It would have seriously cranked up the tension. I was wondering what changed, since they didn't move forward with the idea.

It’s interesting to ponder why they ultimately decided against it. Maybe they felt it would detract from Leon's established role, or perhaps it messed with the pacing too much. Whatever the reason, it's fascinating to learn about these "what if" scenarios in game development. They give you a glimpse into the creative process and the tough choices that developers face. It just shows you how much thought goes into crafting the final product.

While we didn't get to play as Ashley in the intro, the remake still did a fantastic job of making her feel more involved and less like a damsel in distress. Still, the thought of experiencing the beginning through her perspective is something that'll stick in my mind. Maybe we'll see something similar in a future installment? Who knows!