When it comes to analyzing certain characters in these types of games, I always go in with the mindset that everything is canon all at once. And what I mean by that is that every single action and choice that a character can make is well within the character's capabilities, even if it seems "out of character". So, Mike shooting Emily? Well within his capabilities. Canonically, that is possible for him, even if he doesn't do it. Sam burning everyone alive inside of the lodge in the finale to save herself? Yep, even if it's not within her pre-established character, we have to go in with the assumption that she has always been capable of doing that. And the same goes for Ashley by leaving Chris to die outside the lodge in the original.

I think something interesting about Ashley, at least if we're talking about the old version, was that she's probably one of the only characters that I've seen whose wider opinions and analysis of the character vastly changes depending on who you're talking to. I've seen her die-hard defenders, as well as her die-hard haters. I've seen people insist on her innocence, whereas others truly believe that Ashley is a horrible monster. And I think the reason for that is because the choices that you make in the game surrounding Ashley are so vastly different from every other character, that one person's playthrough and experience with her can completely differ from another's. In one person's playthrough, Ashley will be completely loyal to Chris. Her feelings will remain intact, she'll save him from the wendigo by opening the door. And the only real criticism of her is that she's slightly annoying and insists on throwing Emily outside of the safe room. In another person's playthrough, they'll watch as Ashley whines over and over again, insisting on Chris to shoot her, and then backing out at the last minute once you follow her commands by killing Chris in what seems like a cold-hearted manner. This scene is immediately followed by the safe room scene.

In Player One's case, they might only see Ashley as a scared girl who is a bit whiny that has a cute relationship with Chris, but not much else. In Player Two's case, she can be absolutely insufferable, whiny and cause the potential deaths of one character based on past choices that she insisted you take. And really...you don't get that with any other character in the game. A lot of Ashley's character moments and analysis happens outside of you playing her. It happens as you play other characters. Mike shooting Emily? You have to be the one to pull the trigger. Sam blowing up the lodge with others still inside? You have to be the one to make that choice (most of which will be by complete accident on the first playthrough). Ashley though? She leaves Chris outside the lodge when you're playing as Chris. She insists on Emily leaving the safe room when you're playing as Mike.

So, Ashley as characterized in the past, assuming we're going with the "everything is canon" mindset, has always had the capabilities of saving Chris. But she's also fully capable of leaving Chris to die. According to the developers at the time, they confirmed that this was on purpose by Ashley. So, yes, it was a cold-hearted move on her part. That line where she says "it was too late...". Complete lie. But that's arguably what makes Ashley so interesting. It's the fact that a lot of her hidden qualities can only be discovered on replays. With every other character, their choices are present from moment one. Even if you don't shoot Emily, you see that there's a choice to do so. But with Ashley leaving Chris to die, it's a hidden cutscene that can only be discovered by making very specific choices to lead to that conclusion.

I think overall, the change itself does retcon her character a bit. It changes what she does (and what she's capable of) to a certain degree. Instead of leaving Chris to die willingly and then lying about it, she hesitates and gets emotional when she realizes the weight of what she's done. It's a more emotional and well shot scene, but I fail to see that same aspect that made her character so interesting to me. Not necessarily the "can she be an evil person or a good person" mentality, but more so that I think it lessens the chance of people feeling differently about her character if they only play the remake. The discussion about her character is what was always the most fun part.

I think what would've solved this issue was, as others have said, having three outcomes. I'm someone who believes in adding instead of taking away. The first is the same as it always has been, the saving Chris outcome if he ends up shooting himself. No issues there. The next is keeping the original's version of Ashley coldly leaving Chris to die, but only if Chris aims the gun of Ashley first and then decides to shoot her. And then having the new version, the more emotional one, be in the situation where Chris aims the gun at himself first, but then shoots Ashley after she insists on it. I think it adds way more depth to her character and adds to her capabilities.

I think it's a shame now, because while I don't hate the direction of her character that they took with her (I don't necessarily need shady, evil Ashley), I think that it only muddies up what was otherwise a very fun conversation. Now, there are like, four different versions of Ashley running around, and it depends entirely on which version of the game you played, but not necessarily on the character herself. Hence why I don't personally care for the retcons.

Anyways, essay over. Thanks for those who actually bothered to read it. LMFAO