Is Shadow of Rose Hard? A Complete Breakdown
In no uncertain terms – yes. Capcom specifically designed the Shadows of Rose DLC for Resident Evil Village to provide a greater challenge compared to the original game. Between additional enemies, limited resources, and nerve-racking set pieces, veterans will need to bring their A-game to overcome the expansion‘s trials.
Ramping Up The Difficulty
Specific elements ratchet up the difficulty in Shadows of Rose, including:
- Scarce checkpoints: Saving opportunities are few and far between, raising the stakes for boss encounters
- Lower ammo drops: Not as plentiful as the main game, forcing more cautious play
- Smarter enemies: Foes demonstrate more advanced behaviors and aggression
- Powerful new attacks: Existing creatures gain devastating new moves to catch players off guard
Making it to the ending requires mastery of combat mechanics, resource conservation, and plenty of patience.
Length & Fear Factor
At approximately 3 hours, Shadows of Rose provides value on par with other RE DLC packages. For comparison, Resident Evil 3‘s Resistance mode averages 1-2 hours for a full completion. Across its runtime, Shadows captivates through disturbing imagery and high stakes fights. Room-to-room tension stays high as players brace for the next leap scare or set piece.
Several scenes reviewers called "downright gruesome" or "face-meltingly scary" cement Shadows as one of the most unsettling RE experiences in recent memory.
How Difficulty Compares to Other Resident Evil Games
While extreme, longtime fans agree Shadows doesn‘t quite reach the frustrating heights of the hardest core series entries. For context, see the breakdown below:
| Game | Difficulty Rating |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil 8: Shadows of Rose | Hard |
| Resident Evil 8: Village | Medium |
| Resident Evil 3 Remake | Medium |
| Resident Evil 2 Remake | Easy |
| Resident Evil Zero | Extremely Hard |
| Resident Evil Code: Veronica X | Extremely Hard |
Based on aggregate player data, reviews, and speedrunner feedback.
Strategies for Tough Sections
Notorious difficulty spikes in Shadows of Rose include:
- First boss encounter: Stores 3 masks required for defeating it later. Rush each mask area safely focusing on adds first.
- Lycan ambushes: Use shotgun and grenades to quickly thin hordes. Prioritize choke points.
- Hall with doll room: Have shotgun ready as creepy dolls animate. Aim for legs then go for one hit kills.
- Final boss stage 2: Rotate powerful weapons while evading to gradually reduce armor.
Preparation is Key
Going in well-equipped gives players the best chance of surviving. Recommended loadouts include:
- Handcannon or Magnum: High damage for elites and boss stages
- W870 Shotgun or Grenade Launcher: Crowd control
- Pistol: Plentiful ammo for adds and pressure
- First Aid Meds: Limit downtime from injuries
- Sniper Rifle (Optional): Situational high damage from distance
With preparation and dedication, the extra effort invested in mastering Shadows of Rose pays off tenfold through elevated Resident Evil mastery. And for diehard completionists, the DLC Integrates directly back into the main campaign for new records and bragging rights.
The Value of Good DLC
Quality post-launch content represents an opportunity. At a budget $20 price point, Shadows of Rose demonstrates significant effort on Capcom‘s part to expand or improve upon the original title. Strong critical reception and fan interest in turn drive sales, building goodwill for the developer. For those who already enjoyed Resident Evil Village, Shadows of Rose offers more of the tense action the series is known for.
