Behind-the-scenes artwork in Resident Evil Village reveals that Ada Wong from the previous titles was set to appear. The artwork appears in the Trauma Pack DLC, available through the game's Deluxe, Collector's, and Complete editions. A developer's comment on the artwork reveals she was cut due to plot reasons.
Ada Wong was first introduced in the original Resident Evil, being mentioned in a letter. She would later appear in person for Resident Evil 2, where she teams up with Leon Kennedy. Since then, she's become a recurring character and major ally of Leon's, often showing up to assist him during his adventures. Her last in-game appearance (chronologically) was 2012's Resident Evil 6.
As IGN reports, there is concept art for Ada in "The Tragedy of Ethan Winters Artwork" gallery. Her new design would've taken influence from plague doctors, complete with the mask. Ada was supposed to be investigating the village when she rescues Ethan, according to the caption. It also says she was "cut due to a number of conflicting scenarios." Had she shown up in Village, it would mark her first mainline installment appearance without Leon Kennedy.
The decision to cut her is logical if likely upsetting for longtime fans. Ada is one of the more beloved characters in the Resident Evil franchise, with fans and critics alike praising her for her design and personality. The concept of her conducting her own investigation of the village is perfect, given her skills and characteristics. However, Resident Evil Village is a very dense game plot-wise, so the addition of another ongoing subplot may have made things too convoluted.
In a similar vein, Ada's past appearances have all been in games with very different play styles. Resident Evil 2, 4, and 6 all use a third-person, over-the-shoulder control scheme. Resident Evil Village, like its predecessor, is played from the first-person perspective. It's impossible to know how Ada's gameplay would've made the change in POV. It's safe to assume, however, that it would be unfamiliar to long-time fans.
The success of Village proves the Resident Evil franchise is not going away anytime soon. This all but guarantees that Ada Wong should make a return in a future title. While she appears alongside her longtime partner Leon Kennedy, or will she strike out on her own? Will her unused design get a second chance at life? No one can say yet. But it's clear that Capcom has no intention of leaving Ada out of the fight against the Umbrella Corporation anytime soon.
Resident Evil Village is available now for Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, and Stadia.
Source: IGN