Why Ashley Graham would be the perfect lead in a potential Resident Evil spin-off 

Resident Evil has had quite the resurgence as of late. Not only has Capcom revitalized the franchise with games like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village, but it has generated interest in past titles like Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 with their respective remakes. These efforts are commendable considering how much things had quieted down in the franchise a few years ago. 

It has been some time since Capcom made a spin-off Resident Evil title. Discounting DLCs like Resident Evil Village’s Shadows of Rose or multiplayer-focused games like Umbrella Corps, the last real spin-off was 2015’s Resident Evil Revelations 2. If ever Capcom needs to fill in the space between remakes and mainline releases, it might want to consider making Ashley Graham the center of attention. 

The Resident Evil 4 remake has renewed interest in Ashley 

Ashley Graham is the daughter of U.S. President Graham and a central character in Resident Evil 4. Kidnapped by Jack Krauser, Ashley was injected with a Las Plagas parasite in hopes that she would infect her father and other influential U.S. politicians. The plan, helmed by Los Iluminados leader Osmund Saddler, was thwarted by Leon Kennedy, Luis Serra, Ada Wong, and Ashley herself. 

Ashley may have seemed like a damsel in distress, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t interesting. The remake made Ashley stand out by adding more playable sections and giving her unique actions when players were controlling Leon. She even mentions her interest in becoming a U.S. government agent to Leon so that she can help him on future missions. 

Ashley’s story shouldn’t end with Resident Evil 4 

Sadly, players of the original game never got to see what became of Ashley. After riding into the sunset on a jet ski with Leon, Ashley never reappeared until the Resident Evil 4 remake. There are no clues as to her career, whether she and Leon became a thing, or where she was during the succeeding Resident Evil titles. 

This is a bit of a shame, since a game with Ashley Graham as the lead protagonist wouldn’t be such a bad idea. If she fulfilled her ambition of becoming a government agent, Ashley could become action-lead material just as much as Leon. Players could then control this hardened Ashley from an over-the-shoulder perspective as she takes on all kinds of enemies. 

What would be equally interesting, however, is if Ashley were to choose to remain a civilian. Resident Evil games are at their scariest when they make players feel underpowered and helpless, so controlling a timid Ashley has just as much potential as an action title. Capcom could even capitalize on the first-person perspective used in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village to make the spin-off even scarier. This first-person Ashley game would harken back to the original Resident Evil game and the beginning sections of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Although, a more varied approach to Ashley’s gameplay than what’s seen in the Resident Evil 4 remake would be interesting to see. 

Ashley Graham has so much potential narratively that it’s a wonder why Capcom never continued her story. Now that the Resident Evil 4 remake has made her relevant again, Capcom is in a prime position to give this girl her time in the spotlight.