This review contains spoilers
Joe right off the bat is instantly the funniest RE protagonist, just seconds into the game being depicted as a paranoid, unreasonable old man who grabs bugs off the ground and eats them while punching shit that gets in his way. gun-free combat is kinda weird to get used to, but it's at least enjoyable and fitting for the kind of guy we're playing as, although fighting the 4-Legged Molded is a pain with Joe's moveset. Other than that, the gameplay is relatively standard and i really hated the alligator sections, it was weird making it seem like they all had to be dealt with via spears but then making you awkwardly avoid some of them by hugging the walls as you walked by.
Still, my favourite thing about this DLC is what it's able to do for the characterization of nearly everybody in the story, even after they're dead. Joe is characterized extremely well given that he's introduced just to do this one thing and then never be seen again, and his taunts and bringing up childhood stories during the final fight with Jack give it this bittersweet feeling of finality and the notion that Jack is truly gone, but that they're both kinda enjoying being able to fight as brothers one last time. Even though Zoe spends most of the time unconscious here, near the end we're given a brief glimpse of her actual thoughts on the situation once she's finally removed from the state of no-nonsense desperation she's in during the main game. She shows some vulnerability and Joe's line about the Bakers still being her family deep down reemphasizes the tragedy of the whole situation. Finding objects like a family portrait Zoe made in the 4th grade might be a little too on-the-nose with the way it tugs at your heartstrings, but it works to give the impression that they once had a close relationship. It also, surprisingly, gives a bit of characterization to Ethan who was sorely lacking it here during his first appearance. It's nothing crazy, but the idea of him telling Chris "hey, there's someone still in there" and the slight comfort both he and Zoe can take in knowing that they both survived after everything they went through together is nice.
As short as it is, it's nothing that'll change your life, but it's really good. even down to the ending notes of the credits this feels like the definitive ending to RE7 and the Dulvey Incident and a good way to cap off the game.
Still, my favourite thing about this DLC is what it's able to do for the characterization of nearly everybody in the story, even after they're dead. Joe is characterized extremely well given that he's introduced just to do this one thing and then never be seen again, and his taunts and bringing up childhood stories during the final fight with Jack give it this bittersweet feeling of finality and the notion that Jack is truly gone, but that they're both kinda enjoying being able to fight as brothers one last time. Even though Zoe spends most of the time unconscious here, near the end we're given a brief glimpse of her actual thoughts on the situation once she's finally removed from the state of no-nonsense desperation she's in during the main game. She shows some vulnerability and Joe's line about the Bakers still being her family deep down reemphasizes the tragedy of the whole situation. Finding objects like a family portrait Zoe made in the 4th grade might be a little too on-the-nose with the way it tugs at your heartstrings, but it works to give the impression that they once had a close relationship. It also, surprisingly, gives a bit of characterization to Ethan who was sorely lacking it here during his first appearance. It's nothing crazy, but the idea of him telling Chris "hey, there's someone still in there" and the slight comfort both he and Zoe can take in knowing that they both survived after everything they went through together is nice.
As short as it is, it's nothing that'll change your life, but it's really good. even down to the ending notes of the credits this feels like the definitive ending to RE7 and the Dulvey Incident and a good way to cap off the game.