Whether you’re a new player or an OG veteran of the series, these Resident Evil 4 Remake tips will help you make it to the end of the game. This includes hints for combat, improving your equipment, and more.
Despite the typical shooter impulse of shooting enemies in the head, it’s often better to use melee attacks instead. Aiming for an enemy’s knees will destabilize them almost instantly, giving you a chance to take them out with a well-timed melee kick.
1. Spare Your Ammo
Infinite ammo in Resident Evil 4 Remake can be a huge lifesaver, especially when facing multiple enemies. Using weapons with a high ammo capacity is one way to avoid unnecessary gunshots, but crouching and putting enemies in a knife parry will also save Leon’s bullet supply.
Parrying also stuns enemies, which opens the door for a backstab. It’s wise to keep your knife upgraded for durability as well.
2. Use Molotovs
A simple but effective weapon in combat, Molotovs are great for dealing massive damage to enemies with high HP values. They can also be used to break glass doors and block off areas.
Press L1 to parry attacks, such as thrown weapons and slash attacks. This can stagger enemies and allow you to run in and perform a melee attack. This can be especially useful when your ammunition is low.
3. Use Flash Grenades
The Flash Grenade temporarily knocks out foes and can be useful against groups. It’s especially helpful against the mutated Plaga Guadana, which can be hard to kill with guns alone.
Players can acquire the Flash Grenade through Merchant Requests, which deviate from the main story and offer Spinels (a special currency) as a reward.
When fighting robed enemies, shooting them in the knee or leg will cause them to fall and give you the opportunity to perform a suplex attack. This saves ammo and is much faster than firing bullet after bullet at their heads.
4. Use Your Combat Knife
Knives are a useful weapon in Resident Evil 4 Remake and can be used to quickly kill enemies without wasting your bullets. You can even use your knife to parry enemy attacks!
Just be sure to hit the parry button just at the moment when an enemy is about to attack Leon. Keep in mind that parrying attacks consumes your knife’s durability.
5. Beware of Bear Traps
One of the pitfalls that many players fall into is getting caught in Bear Traps. These rusty traps can blend in with the environment, so it’s important to keep an eye on your surroundings at all times.
The Brute also makes a return in this remake, so be sure to crouch when he’s around. His overhead slams and spinning attacks are hard to parry, so it’s best to move away if you can.
6. Don’t Waste Ammo on Random Enemies
In Resident Evil 4, you’ll need to conserve your ammo. Aiming at enemies’ monstrous heads will do a lot of damage, but aiming for their knees destabilizes them instantly and allows you to finish them off with a well-timed melee kick.
Also, crows are carrying something much more valuable than feathers and bird meat, so be sure to shoot them when you see them. They can net you hundreds of Pesetas, making upgrading Leon’s weapons that much easier.
7. Upgrade Your Weapons
Upgrading weapons in Resident Evil 4 Remake is an important part of the game, boosting their power against the game’s terrifying enemies. This can be done through the Merchant’s Tune-Up services, requiring in-game currency (Pesetas) to unlock.
Exclusive upgrades are also available for certain weapons, granting them unique perks such as infinite ammo or letting them parry attacks. However, this option is not available until after Chapter 9. The upgrade will cost you 30 Spinel gems.
8. Focus on the Weak Spots
Aim for enemy weak points to deal maximum damage. This is especially helpful in the early game when enemies can quickly surround Leon.
Look out for blue papers called “Merchant Requests” stuck to walls throughout the game. Completing these requests rewards players with Spinels, which are pink jewels that can be traded to the Merchant for exclusive items like Upgrade Tickets, Weapon Equipment, Herbs, or Golden Tokens.
9. Save Your Ammo for Bosses
While the Handcannon has been nerfed a bit from its original glory, it still packs a punch. It’s a great choice for tough bosses like Chainsaw Ganados and cow-headed Brutes.
Players can also save ammo by observing enemies for their weak spots and utilizing environmental traps. It’s also important to stay aware of breakable barrels and lootable cabinets that may contain ammo.
10. Avoid Bear Traps
Resident Evil 4 Remake is full of hidden traps that can hurt or slow you down. Their rusty appearance and lack of noise can make them difficult to spot, but you should always watch for these traps.
One of the most memorable moments in the original RE4 involves a chainsaw-wielding Villager with a bear trap stuck on his leg. You can save this furry friend, but doing so will have consequences later on.