The First 'Resident Evil 7' DLC Is a Lovely Mixtape

Despite my tendency to avoid the survival horror genre, I’ve quite enjoyed Resident Evil 7. I finished my first run through of Resident Evil 7 in just over nine hours with ammo to spare. It was a scary experience, sure, but one I wanted more of once the credits rolled. Thankfully, the game’s first DLC, Banned Footage Vol. 1, is already out on PlayStation 4 to scratch that itch.

Available on PlayStation 4 now for $9.99 or as part of the game’s Season Pass, Banned Footage Vol. 1 adds three new parts to the game via an extra content option on the main menu. “Nightmare,” Resident Evil 7’s take on the ever-popular survival mode in video games, locks players in the basement of the Baker house and forces them to fight into the morning as everybody’s favorite cameraman Clancy. Players have to actively collect resources to create traps, guns, ammunition, and other various supplies to take on hordes of Molded creatures and Jack himself.

The “Bedroom” scenario features cameraman Clancy once again. Trapped in the Master Bedroom of the Baker house with Marguerite watching closely, players must break free from their cuffs on the bed and began searching around the room for clues to escape. Like the birthday cake sequence from the main game, each part of the room is a piece of the puzzle, but you’ll have to cover your tracks by closing drawers and replacing anything you move to its original place. Otherwise, Marguerite will end your escape attempt.

“Ethan Must Die,” the final bit of the first DLC, is vastly different from “Nightmare” and “Bedroom.” Like Resident Evil’s Mercenaries mode, players are assigned a specific target to eliminate on the Baker property — like Jack or Marguerite — and dropped into the map with nothing more than their pocket knife. With more enemies, added traps, and completely randomized item placement, “Ethan Must Die” isn’t for the faint of heart. During my two attempts, I was swarmed by Molded before I could even locate a weapon; it’s clear that the mode was designed to appease players looking for a horrifyingly difficult challenge.

As a package, Banned Footage Vol. 1 is a well-designed and entertaining set of mini-games to play through if you’re looking for more Resident Evil 7. While it may not have the same narrative experience as the main game, each short scenario is filled with the same terrifying encounters as well as a small story that gives a sense of purpose to it all.

Banned Footage Vol. 1 is available now for Resident Evil 7 on the PlayStation 4 and will release on Xbox One and PC on February 21.