Resident Evil Village’s Shadows of Rose DLC is a horrific adventure of self-exploration. Believing that she has found a way to relieve herself of unidentified abilities, Rose enters into a mold stratum where she is told a cure exists. Here, she encounters enigmatic enemies, but not without the aid of someone equally mysterious. Once she arrives, writing begins to appear etched into floors and walls. The only name this entity goes by at the beginning of theResident Evil Village’s Shadows of Rose DLCis Michael, but it is learned later how important a character he truly is.
Rose is initially unarmed with no clue how she appeared in Castle Dimitrescu. But while unfamiliar with its terrifying corridors, Rose is not the only one being treated to a fairly new experience. Players may have a firm understanding of the castle if they had playedResident Evil Village, but the castle’s puzzles are different, new keys are needed for alternate doors, and new enemies lurk its halls. Michael is able to manifest a handgun for Rose, as well as healing salves and white sage, but his care for her is even more empathetic and sad than players may know until his identity is revealed.
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Michael is Ethan in Resident Evil’s Shadows of Rose DLC
If players read into Michael’s messaging closely, understanding how much this “guardian angel” cares for Rose already, it may be easy to predict who it may be. Each time that Rose reminisces about her past troubles at school around other children, or about how she does not know her late father, it becomes more and more clear that it is Ethan conversing with her from beyond the stratum’s veil.
This is especially evident once Ethan pushes Rose out ofResident Evil Village’s House Benevientoto safety since players finally get to see Ethan, but his identity is still a mystery to Rose since she never knew him. Ethan takes Rose to her childhood home, the house from the beginning ofResident Evil Village, and it is here that Ethan’s love for Rose is shared. Rose still does not understand that her father is parading as Michael at this point, but gets to experience her father’s love through memories of their shared past.
Rose reads an affectionate letter from her father to her that strikes a chord, since Ethan claims he will never leave her side. Having diedduring the events ofResident Evil Villagewhen Rose was a baby, Ethan now finally gets to know his daughter, which results in a touching conclusion.
Ethan is Rose’s Guardian Angel in the Mold’s Stratum Network
Resident Evil Village’s Ethanleaves real-time, handwritten messages to Rose instead of instantly appearing before her. He assumes the name Michael after Rose suggests it, naming Gabriel and Michael as potential “guardian angels” that could be looking after her. The only reason Ethan does not reveal himself sooner is that he feels it would overcomplicate the situation, and his primary concern is simply to help Rose escape the stratum now that she is there. This aid manifests with resources for the player in scripted moments, but also during certain puzzles where neither the player nor Rose would be able to solve it on their own.
Ethan is there for Rose through this entire ordeal as a remarkable father figure, doing his best once again to rescue his daughter.Resident Evil Village’s Shadows of Rose DLC is a surprisingly heartwarming father-daughter tale, and is arguably wrapped ineven more horror thanResident Evil Village’s base game.
Resident Evil Village: Gold Editionis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
