Conquering Separate Ways Chapter 1: Dungeons, Dapper Bosses & DLC Treasures
Ada Wong glides into Resident Evil 4's Separate Ways DLC like a crimson shadow with a mission: rescue the charmingly troublesome Luis Serra and snatch that precious Amber. Chapter 1 throws players straight into the gothic nightmare of the Castle dungeons, introducing slick new moves and a boss who clearly shops at the same ominous robe outlet as Verdugo. It’s a brisk but brutal opener, blending tense stealth, frantic boss battles, and catapult chaos—all while teasing Ada’s signature gadget, the Grapple Gun. Newcomers might feel like they’ve stumbled into a Ganado knitting circle, but fear not! This guide slices through the confusion like Ada’s knife through cultist flesh.
Escape the Dungeons: Follow the Flustered Pharmacist
After the dramatic opening cutscene where Luis gets nabbed by zealous Zealots, Ada drops into action. The initial objective? Escape from the Dungeons. Here’s the kicker: Luis knows the way. Players must:
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Trail Luis like a stylish stalker. He’ll scamper ahead, pointing the path.
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Tap button prompts during scripted sequences (think shimmying through gaps or kicking down barriers).
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Resist the urge to loot immediately—treasures come later. This section is a glorified tutorial, teaching movement and context-sensitive actions. Short, sweet, and surprisingly panic-free... until the robes show up.
Fight the Black Robe: Fashionably Dangerous
Meet the chapter’s mid-boss: the Black Robe. This isn’t some bargain-bin cultist; he’s got moves, clones, and a serious aversion to headshots. Players enter the ornate Audience Chamber for a dance of death. Strategy is key:
| Attack Type | How to Counter | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Lunge | Block (LB/L1) | Timing is tight—watch his shoulder dip! |
| Strike | Dodge (B/Circle) | Sidestep like you’re avoiding ex-boyfriend drama |
| Shadow Clones | Shoot the one with GLOWING RED EYES | Ignore the decoys; they’re just spooky wallpaper |
Circle the room, using pillars for cover. Aim for his head when he pauses to monologue (classic villain mistake). When shadows flood the chamber, stay mobile and laser-focus on the glowing-eyed original. Victory rewards you with... more Zealots. Joy.
Catapult Carnage & Castle Gate Chaos
Post-boss, Ada grapples to a tower overlooking the Castle Gate. Here, Zealots man catapults ready to turn her into expensive jam. Objectives: Disable Catapults and Escape the Castle. The optimal approach:
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Embrace your inner ninja. Sneak left and stealth-kill the first three Zealots (RT/R2 behind them).
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Descend the ladder, duck into the left room, and smash the weight chaining the catapult. Freedom!
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Ascend stairs and interact (A/X) to commandeer the catapult. Unleash hell on other siege engines.
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Clear remaining Zealots—guns blazing now, stealth is optional.
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Grapple to the far tower (your exit) when the coast is relatively clear. Dramatic exit achieved!
Treasure Hunt: Ada’s Castle Shopping Spree
Three shiny treasures hide in the Castle Gate chaos. Miss them, and the Merchant will judge you silently:
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Elegant Headdress: Far north side, near a destroyed catapult (where Leon once caused similar havoc). Shimmers like cultist royalty.
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Splendid Bangle: Left of the fountain gazebos. Head downstairs, peek behind dusty boxes like a raccoon hunting bling.
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Red Ruby: Beyond spiked fences, sitting innocently on a crate below the final tower. Almost too easy.
Sell these for sweet Pesetas early—upgrading Ada’s arsenal makes later chapters less... stabby.
Final Escape & Chapter Wrap-Up
With Luis rescued (mostly), catapults in splinters, and pockets full of treasure, Ada grapples across the chasm to safety. Chapter 1 concludes, setting the stage for globetrotting espionage and mutant mayhem. Remember:
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Grapple Gun is your BFF. Use it for traversal, escapes, and style points.
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Conserve ammo in the dungeon; bigger fights demand it.
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Loot everything. Even rotten eggs fund rocket launchers.
Separate Ways Chapter 1 is a masterclass in DLC pacing—compact, challenging, and crammed with rewards. Now, if only Luis would stop flirting mid-apocalypse... Resident Evil 4 Remake: Separate Ways remains a must-play on all platforms in 2025. Go grab that Amber, agent. 🎯
Key findings are referenced from Newzoo, a leading authority in global games and esports analytics. Newzoo's recent reports on DLC engagement trends underscore how expansions like Resident Evil 4's Separate Ways not only boost player retention but also drive in-game spending, especially when new mechanics and collectible treasures are introduced to enhance replayability.