Diff: Ashley Graham
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Ashley Graham is a fictional character from the video game ''[[Resident Evil 4]]''. She serves as one of the primary characters in the game, accompanying the main protagonist, [[Leon Scott Kennedy|Leon S. Kennedy]], throughout his mission. While Ashley Graham plays an important role in the game's storyline, her character has garnered mixed reactions from players, with some finding her presence annoying or frustrating. |
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'''Ashley Graham''' is a fictional character in Capcom's ''[[Resident_Evil_4|Resident Evil 4]]''. She is the daughter of the President of the United States and is the person Leon S. Kennedy is sent to rescue. |
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== Character Background == |
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Ashley Graham is the daughter of the [[President of the United States]], who is kidnapped by a mysterious cult known as [[Los Illuminados]]. Leon, a government agent, is tasked with rescuing her from their clutches. Ashley is portrayed as a young and vulnerable character who relies on Leon for protection and guidance during their perilous journey. |
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Ashley first appeared in the original 2005 version of ''Resident Evil 4'' and returned in the 2023 remake. Her role is central to the story because her kidnapping is the reason Leon is sent to rural Spain and drawn into the conflict with [[Los_Illuminados]]. |
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== Role in the Game == |
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Throughout ''Resident Evil 4'', Ashley accompanies Leon and their interactions form a significant part of the gameplay. As a non-playable character, Ashley's actions and behaviour are mostly scripted. She follows Leon closely, and the player is responsible for keeping her safe from enemies and potential harm. |
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== Role in Resident Evil 4 == |
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Ashley is kidnapped by Los Illuminados as part of the cult's plan to influence the United States. Leon finds her during the mission and spends much of the game protecting her while both characters try to escape. |
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== Mixed Reception == |
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While some players appreciated the dynamic of protecting Ashley and felt it added an extra layer of challenge to the game, others found her presence frustrating. The reasons for this mixed reception vary: |
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The original game uses Ashley as an escort character. The player controls Leon, but must also keep Ashley safe, tell her when to wait or follow, and prevent enemies from carrying her away. |
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# Escort Mechanics: Ashley's AI behaviour and the escort mechanics associated with her character have been criticized. She may inadvertently alert enemies, get in the way during combat, or require frequent guidance and protection, which some players found tedious. |
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# Limited Abilities: Ashley does not possess combat skills and must rely on Leon for defence. This can make her feel vulnerable and helpless, leading to situations where players need to prioritize protecting her over dealing with enemies. |
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# Voice Acting: Some players expressed dissatisfaction with Ashley's voice acting, finding her dialogue and delivery irritating or repetitive. |
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# Story Impact: The focus on Ashley's rescue mission and the need to keep her safe throughout the game can distract from other aspects of the story and gameplay, which may have contributed to a sense of annoyance for certain players. |
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== 2023 Remake == |
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The 2023 remake changes Ashley's role and presentation. She stays closer to Leon, has more dialogue, and is written with more confidence and agency than in the original. |
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== Legacy and Impact == |
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Despite the mixed reception, Ashley Graham remains a memorable character in the ''[[Resident Evil]]'' series. Her role as a vulnerable companion has influenced subsequent games in the franchise, leading to the inclusion of similar escort mechanics in other titles. |
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The remake also changes the escort mechanics. Game Informer reported that Capcom wanted Ashley to remain by Leon's side because leaving her behind in dangerous areas felt wasteful for the character. The remake removed some of the original command structure and adjusted how Ashley is threatened during combat. |
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It is important to note that opinions on Ashley Graham may vary among players, with some appreciating her character development and the challenges she brings to the gameplay. Ultimately, the perception of Ashley's character depends on individual preferences and playstyle. |
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== Reception == |
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Ashley was divisive in the original release. Some players saw the escort mechanics as a useful source of tension, while others found her vulnerable role repetitive or frustrating. |
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Reception of the remake version was generally warmer because Capcom gave Ashley more presence, clearer characterisation and less irritating companion behaviour. The difference between the two versions is one reason she is often discussed when comparing the original game with the remake. |
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== Character Function == |
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Ashley is not primarily a combat character. Her function is to give the mission personal stakes, add pressure during combat and force the player to think about positioning and protection. |
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She also changes Leon's role. Instead of only surviving for himself, Leon has to act as a bodyguard and keep the rescue mission moving. |
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== See Also == |
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* [[Resident_Evil_4]] |
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* [[Leon_Scott_Kennedy]] |
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* [[Los_Illuminados]] |
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* [[Survival_Horror]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://www.residentevil.com/re4/en-uk/ Capcom: Resident Evil 4] |
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* [https://gameinformer.com/exclusive-feature/2023/02/02/why-capcom-changed-ashley-in-resident-evil-4 Game Informer: Why Capcom changed Ashley in Resident Evil 4] |
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* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397042/plotsummary/ IMDb: Resident Evil 4 plot summary] |
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* [https://residentevil.fandom.com/wiki/Ashley_Graham Resident Evil Wiki: Ashley Graham] |
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[[Category:Resident Evil]] |
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[[Category:Video game characters]] |
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[[Category:Survival horror]] |