RE7 Gold vs Standard: What Extra Content?

Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition includes the base game plus all three story expansions (Banned Footage Vol.1, Banned Footage Vol.2, and End of Zoe), the Survival Pack, and the Season Pass content, while the Standard Edition contains only the main campaign. If you buy Gold Edition, you get roughly 6-8 additional hours of story content, a new game mode, and several exclusive weapons and items. This article breaks down exactly what each edition contains, what the extras add to the experience, and how to decide which version is right for you.

What’s in the Standard Edition?

The Standard Edition of Resident Evil 7 launched in January 2017 and includes the full main campaign: Ethan Winters’ search for his missing wife in the Baker family’s plantation house in Dulvey, Louisiana. This is the complete 8-10 hour story experience, with all the puzzles, boss fights, and the “Found Footage” style first-person horror gameplay. It also includes the game’s free updates, such as the “Not a Hero” bonus episode, which was released as free DLC for all players in December 2017. That free episode features Chris Redfield and adds another 1-2 hours of gameplay. So the Standard Edition already gives you the core game plus that one free bonus chapter.

What Does the Gold Edition Add?

The Gold Edition (released in December 2017) bundles the base game with the Season Pass, which contains all paid DLC. Here’s the full list of what you get beyond the standard content:

• Banned Footage Vol.1 – Contains three pieces: “Nightmare” (a wave-based survival mode), “Bedroom” (an escape-room puzzle), and “Ethan Must Die” (a brutal one-hit-death challenge).
• Banned Footage Vol.2 – Includes “21” (a card game against a sadistic opponent), “Daughters” (a story episode set before the main game), and an additional survival mode variation.
• End of Zoe – A full story expansion (about 2-3 hours) where you play as Zoe Baker, who was left in a cliffhanger in the main game. It features melee combat and a new swamp area.
• Survival Pack – A set of in-game items: the Albert-01 handgun, a recovery item, a defense item, and a crafting recipe. These are useful early in the campaign.
• Season Pass Exclusive – A special “Madhouse” difficulty mode is actually included in the base game, but the Season Pass also gives you the “Tragedy of Ethan Winters” (a short story video) and a set of PlayStation 4 dynamic themes (if on that platform).

In total, the Gold Edition’s extra content adds roughly 6-8 hours of new story and challenge modes, depending on your skill level.

How the DLC Works in Practice

All the DLC is accessible from the main menu once installed. You don’t need to finish the campaign to play the Banned Footage episodes; they are separate modes. However, End of Zoe is locked until you complete the main story (or at least reach a certain point), because it directly continues the narrative. The Survival Pack items are automatically added to your item box at the start of a new game, and they are also available in any new playthrough you start. If you buy the Gold Edition digitally, all content is included on the disc or in the download; you don’t need to redeem separate codes (except in some physical regional releases, so check the case).

Comparing Costs and Value

At launch, the Standard Edition cost $59.99, and the Season Pass cost $29.99, making the total $89.98. The Gold Edition launched at $59.99, effectively giving you the DLC for free. In current sales, the Gold Edition often drops to $20-30, while the Standard Edition can be found for $10-20. If you’re buying new today, the Gold Edition is almost always the better value because the price difference is small, and the DLC content is substantial. However, if you already own the Standard Edition, buying the Season Pass separately is still a good deal, especially on sale.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the Gold Edition includes “Not a Hero” as an exclusive. It doesn’t – that episode was free for all players. Another issue: some players buy the Standard Edition and then complain they can’t access End of Zoe, not realizing it’s paid DLC. Also, the “Ethan Must Die” mode is notoriously difficult – it’s meant for hardcore players, not casual fans. If you’re only interested in the story, you might skip the Banned Footage Vol.1 and just get End of Zoe, but buying the Gold Edition is simpler than picking pieces. One technical note: the Gold Edition’s disc contains the base game and a voucher for the DLC in some regions, so if you buy used, make sure the code hasn’t been redeemed.

How to Choose Between Editions

Here’s a quick decision guide:

• Choose the Standard Edition if: you only want the main story, you’re on a tight budget, or you’re not sure you’ll like the first-person horror style.
• Choose the Gold Edition if: you want the complete experience, you enjoy extra challenge modes, or you’re a completionist who wants all trophies/achievements (several DLC trophies are needed for 100%).
• If you already own Standard: buy the Season Pass on sale – it’s usually $15 or less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Gold Edition include all DLC? Yes, it includes all three paid story expansions (Banned Footage Vol.1, Vol.2, and End of Zoe) plus the Survival Pack. The only free DLC (Not a Hero) is also included as a download.

Is End of Zoe worth it? If you care about the story, yes – it resolves Zoe’s fate and gives a proper conclusion to the Baker family arc. It’s about 2-3 hours long and features a different combat style (melee).

Can I play the DLC before finishing the main game? The Banned Footage episodes can be played anytime from the menu, but End of Zoe is locked until you finish the campaign. The Survival Pack items are available from the start.

What is the difference between the Season Pass and Gold Edition? The Season Pass is just the DLC bundle; the Gold Edition is the base game + Season Pass in one package. If you own the base game, the Season Pass is the cheaper way to get the extras.

Does the Gold Edition have better graphics or performance? No, the game is identical in terms of graphics and performance. The Gold Edition only adds content, not technical improvements. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions (released in 2022) are separate upgrades.

Are there any exclusive items in the Gold Edition? The Survival Pack (Albert-01 handgun, etc.) is exclusive to the Season Pass/Gold Edition. There are no other exclusive weapons or skins.

Final Verdict

For most players, the Gold Edition is the obvious choice – it’s the complete package at a price that’s usually only slightly higher than the Standard Edition. The extra content isn’t just filler; End of Zoe is a proper story expansion, and Banned Footage Vol.2’s “Daughters” episode adds meaningful backstory. Even if you’re a casual player, the Survival Pack alone makes the early game easier. If you’re a fan of Resident Evil or survival horror in general, get the Gold Edition and you won’t miss anything.

Related

• AI Assistants vs Search Engines: Which Should You Use?
• Physics That Keeps Humans Valuable as AI Changes Work
• Small Modular Reactors vs Diesel for Remote Canada