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This page contains a full text walkthrough for Resident Evil 4 as well as FAQs, guides and gameplay videos for Resident Evil 4. This guide was written using the GameCube version of the game, but the guide should apply to the other versions of the game as well.
Resident Evil 4 is a third-person action horror video game developed by Capcom originally for the Nintendo GameCube video game console, and was ported to the PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo Wii. The game is the fourth installment of the Resident Evil series. In the game players once again assume the role of Leon S. Kennedy, last seen in Resident Evil 2, and have to rescue the president's daughter Ashley Graham.
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Controls
- Note: This guide uses the default control scheme for the Nintendo GameCube version of the game.
- Analog Stick: Use this to move around. Push it forward to walk forward, and back to walk backward. Tilt it to the left or the right to turn around. In combat, use it to aim Leon's weapons while holding the R or L button.
- C Stick: Use to rotate the camera to look up, down, left, or right when not in combat. You can only rotate it a little bit, and you have to hold the stick in the direction to keep the camera there, so it's of limited use.
- R: Hold this to raise and aim your currently equipped weapon. All the guns in the game except the rifles and Rocket Launchers are equipped with laser sights, so use that to adjust your aim.
- L: Hold this to pull out Leon's knife. Unlike in previous Resident Evil games, the knife is very useful. It's handy for doing extra damage to Ganados you've already knocked down, and you can even stun them with it if you hit them in the face.
- A: This is a general purpose button. When walking around, use this to interact with everything in the game world, from picking up items, to opening doors, to operating controls, to jumping out of windows. The HUD will tell you what the button does when you approach something you can interact with. When holding L or R, use A to swing the knife or fire whatever weapon you've got equipped, and to use kicks and suplexes when enemies are stunned.
- B: When not in combat, hold B to run instead of walk. Pull back on the Analog Stick and press B to do a quick turnaround, handy for getting away from enemies. Hit B while holding R to reload your weapon.
- Y: Press this to open up the menu. From here, you'll change weapons and restore health, as well as combine the treasures you'll sell back to the Merchant.
- X: Press this to toggle commands when you're escorting Ashley. You can tell her to Wait or Follow; for the most part, you'll want her to Follow, but there are times when it's advantageous to leave her behind while you clean up enemies.
- Z: Press this to bring up the map. You can also get to the map through the inventory screen, but this is quicker.
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General Tips
- Search everywhere. There's ammunition, treasure, and healing items littered throughout the game. I've tried my best to catalog the item locations, but many of the items in certain locations, particularly barrels and boxes, will change depending on how well you're doing in the game, so check everywhere.
- Aim for the head. When fighting Ganados, headshots will do more damage, and will stun them for a kick attack, which can hit multiple enemies. A well placed headshot with a shotgun can decapitate several Ganados at once. Also useful is shooting them in the lower leg; this will drop Ganados to their knees, so you can kick them, or in some cases suplex them.
- Use the knife. As mentioned before, the knife is much more useful here than in previous installments (it helps that it doesn't take up an inventory slot anymore). Lone Ganados can go down with only one bullet if you use it to hit them in the head or the leg, then kick them over and knife them until they stay down.
- Use chokepoints. Whenever you're fighting more than two or three Ganados, look for a door, or a hallway, or some other relatively small space you can put between yourself and them. It worked for the Spartans, it can work for you. While you're at it, make sure that it's the only entrance, and you'll be able to keep them all in your sights and keep from being overwhelmed.
- Upgrade your weapons. Upgrade the handgun's power, the shotgun's capacity, and the TMP's everything to make them more effective weapons as you move through the game. With the Magnums, wait until they've got empty clips before you upgrade their capacity for the free rounds.
- Don't be afraid to shoot. Ammo is much more plentiful here than in previous games, so for the most part feel free to fire away, but don't go overboard. Save the Magnum rounds for bosses. The shotgun's great for crowd control, but it's wasted on singular ganados. If it comes down to taking an attack or firing a bullet, fire the bullet.
- Pay attention during cutscenes. The majority of them have quicktime events, where you'll have to hit the buttons prompted on the screen to avoid a grisly untimely death. The first encounter with Krauser is made entirely of these, so don't be distracted by the slow motion and the good graphics, and be ready to hit the buttons or you'll be seeing the cutscenes a lot.
- Always have a couple Flash Grenades handy. A Flash Grenade will instantly kill the head parasites that sometimes come out when you blow a Ganado's head off. On the occasions where there's more than one or two of them, especially the ones that can kill you in one hit, a Flash Grenade is invaluable.
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1-1
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-1 - El Pueblo (Time: 9:03)
- Once the opening cutscene ends, take a second to familiarize yourself with the controls. The Analog Stick controls movement: Tilt it to the right or left to turn, and up or down to move forward or back. Use the Z Button to check your map, then head east, then north to the house marked by a glowing red spot.
- As you approach, there'll be a short cutscene. Around the west side of the house, you'll see a wooden box on a cart. Hold L to pull out the knife and hit the box, then pick up the Handgun Ammo inside. Now, head up the stairs in front of the building, and head inside.
- You'll hear someone coughing. Head around to the back room, and another cutscene will play, after which you'll get your first taste of the game's combat. Hold R to raise your pistol, and train the laser sight where you want to shoot. Shoot the Ganado in the head, then while he's stunned, run up and hit A to kick him to the ground. Stand over him and attack him with the knife until he stays down. This method will help you save a lot of ammo during the game.
- There'll be another cutscene, and a few more Ganados will approach the building you're in. You won't be able to get out through the door, so head to the window on the west side of the building and hit A to jump out. There are three of them after you; avoid their attacks as well as you can, and take them out with the gun and grenades. Pick up any items they drop, then get back to the road and head east.
- On the path is a little shack. Inside is a Typewriter, so save if you want. There's also a couple boxes on the shelves. Use the knife to open them up, and take the Handgun Ammo, two Green Herbs, and the Pesetas. Head back out and continue east.
- If you want, you can shoot the crows to get some items, either Pesetas, ammo, or a grenade. Just past the crows is a dog stuck in a trap. Go over and free him, then continue east. You'll see several trees, and on them is wired explosives. So, obviously, don't trip the wires.
- Instead, you can use them to your advantage. Up the hill, you can see a Ganado. It's possible to make him trip the explosives and kill himself, but if you don't want to go to the trouble, a couple of bullets will do him in just as easily. Continue east.
- On the left side of the path is another shack. Wreck the boxes, and take the Pesetas, Green Herb, and Handgun Ammo, then continue on your way. Another pair of Ganados will greet you by the bridge, so take care of them and cross it. As you cross, a couple of Ganados on a nearby cliff will see you, but you can't shoot them and they run away, so just ignore them and keep moving.
- Just down the hill is another shack. Kill the Ganado inside, then take everything from the boxes, which amounts to some Pesetas, and two boxes of Handgun Ammo. Head down the path, and into the next area.
- After the cutscene, you'll get a Playing Manual, which tells you how to reload, kick, and change inventory screens. Head up the path, and his A when prompted to look through your binoculars, and you'll see one of your drivers roasting in the middle of town. Hit B when you're done, and continue forward. There's a fork here, and you can enter the little village from either direction.
- Once the townsfolk notice you, they'll attack. Go for headshots to put them down, and the kicks are great for crowd control. If you get hurt, use some of the herbs you picked up to heal. A good place to make a stand is near the southern exit of the town, since there's only one way in.
- Tip: It's tempting to go into the big house in the north side of the town, since inside is the shotgun, but going inside will bring out Dr. Salvador, the chainsaw wielding Ganado. He's a lot tougher than the regular villagers, and you'll likely either use up all your shotgun ammo just to kill him, or he'll get you with the chainsaw. Either way, not worth the trouble.
- Hold out long enough, and the remaining villagers will be called off with the church bell. Go and gather whatever items the dead ones left behind, then loot the rest of the town. There's a shack at the south exit which holds a Flash Grenade and some Pesetas. Behind the barn with the cow, there's a box with a Yellow Herb. These herbs increase your health bar when you use them, so mix it in with one of the green herbs you've picked up and save it for later.
- There's a Red Herb on the north end of town; mix it with the Yellow+Green you've already mixed. The G+R+Y mixed herb is the best combo: It totally refills and extends your health bar, so use it next time you need some heavy duty healing. The northwest house has two Incendiary Grenades and some Handgun Ammo. There's a Green Herb at the fork in the path on the northwest corner of the area. The southeast house holds some Pesetas hidden in a barrel in the first room. Shoot out the lock to get to the second room, and bash the barrel and box for some Pesetas and Shotgun Shells.
- Now that the coast is clear, it's time to grab the shotgun. The northeast house has some Handgun Ammo toward the back, and the barrels hold Pesetas. Head upstairs and grab it off the wall. To the left of it is a medicine cabinet with a Grenade inside. Use the knife to open it and grab it, then grab the Pesetas sitting on the desk. Go out the window, and pick up the Handgun Ammo sitting on the chimney of the next house over, then go around the walkway of the shotgun house to find a Spinel sitting on the roof.
- You'll find another batch of Handgun Ammo in one of the wood piles near the church. Head up the tower to find another box of Shotgun Shells, and then head up the northeast pathway. There's a shack on either side; on the southern one, you'll find a document on the wall about how they're trying to stop you, and where the "prisoner" is being held. Grab the Handgun Ammo beside the document, then head out through the northeast gate.
- Hop over the fence to the right of the path, and grab the blue flier. This will mark on your map where the Blue Medallions are. There's seven of them in the area, the first of which is right over the flier itself. Check the map, and shoot them all as you go through.
- Before you do that, though, go to the shack to the west and save. Break the barrel beside the Typewriter to get some Pesetas, then head over to the barn to the north and take out the Ganados inside and behind it; in the corner is a barrel with some Pesetas in it. Next, head to the big barn in the southeast corner, and take out the Ganados. There's one behind it, and one on the second floor. In the cabinet on the second floor is some Handgun Ammo.
- On the first floor is some Pesetas in the cabinet, and in the barrels. In the box is some Handgun Ammo, and the other cabinet holds a Spinel. There's a well in the southwest corner, with something shiny dangling over it. Shoot out the support on the well's cover first, then shoot the shiny object to collect a Pearl Pendant.
- To reach the little alcove in the northeast, go to the second floor of the big barn, then out the window, and follow the walkway over to the alcove. In here, you'll find a Spinel in the box in the small shack. There's also a small section of the big barn that you can only get to by dropping from the walkway, just outside the second floor window. You'll find a Beerstein in a box, then just push the cabinet out of the way of the door to get out. Once you've got all the goodies and shot all the blue medallions, head out the exit in the southeast.
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-1 The Man in the Wardrobe (Time: 5:28)
- Head down the pathway, and just after you pass the signpost with the skulls, the Ganados will roll a boulder at you Indiana Jones style. Mash whatever button the screen shows you to outrun it (probably A), then hit the buttons on the second prompt to dodge it.
- Head through the tunnel, and shoot the shiny objects in the ceiling to grab a pair of Spinels. The next area's tricky, partly because it's wired with slightly better concealed explosives, and partly because the Ganados here throw dynamite at you. Start by approaching the shack to the left. Do it slowly, and one of the Ganados will take care of the wired bombs there by tossing a stick of dynamite at you. Once it's clear, head into the shack and pick up the Spinel and Pesetas.
- Now, here's the fun part: If you can shoot the stick of dynamite either while it's in the Ganado's hand or he's just thrown it, you'll blow him up instead. There's three of them holed up in the first house you come to, so take them out and collect the Handgun Ammo and Grenade from inside. There's one wandering around outside that should be easy enough to take out. Near a tree to the east of the house is a Red Cat's Eye that you can combine with the Beerstein. Just to the east of that is a box with some Handgun Ammo.
- Once everything's collected, shoot the lock off the door to the house in the northeast and head inside. Check the cabinet in the corner for some Pesetas, then grab the Handgun Ammo from the table and save. Go through the doorway, then shoot the explosives in the hall, and in the next room. Grab the Pesetas from the table, and the Green Herb from the cabinet. Push the shelf out from the next doorway, and head toward the east.
- Check the big armoire in the corner, and a cutscene will start. You'll see Leon get his but kicked to end Chapter 1-1.
1-2
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-2 Luis Sera (Time: 5:30)
- Save the game. Pay attention during the cutscene. When the Ganado lifts the ax to attack, you'll be prompted to press a button, so hit it quickly to get Leon out of his restraints. When you regain control, grab the handgun ammo against the southeast wall, then save, grab the Rifle Ammo, and head out.
- Before you blaze on ahead, grab the Green Herb hidden in the barrel on the outside of the building, then head around to the Merchant, who's back behind the building. Talk to him, then sell all your Spinels. They have no other purpose but to give you cash anyway. Sell the Pearl Pendant too, but don't sell the Beerstein just yet. There's a couple more Cat's Eye jewels that will make it worth much more.
- First thing you'll want to buy from him is the Attache Case M. This'll give you more room to hold your items. You're also going to want to get the Rifle for this next section; the scope's largely unnecessary.
- Once you've got all that, if you've got any leftover cash you might want to upgrade one or more of your guns. Don't bother upgrading the Handgun too much, as you'll be getting a free replacement soon.
- Tip: When you upgrade the ammo capacity of a gun, the gun is filled to the top for free. What this means is if you take an empty shotgun and increase its capacity, you'll get a full clip for free. This is great for getting more of the rarer ammo, like for the Magnum pistols.
- Now, take your shiny new rifle and head to one of the breaks in the wall, and start picking off Ganados. Alternatively, if you want to grab their items and cash, you can just do it up close and personal. There's a few in here that throw dynamite, but as before you can use that to your advantage. This is also a prime opportunity to see what the Shotgun can do as crowd control.
- In the easternmost edge of the area, there's a treasure chest with half an emblem in it. Grab it, and the other one, which is on top of the house on the far west. Once you've got both, combine them, then head to the door to the north east to get to the next area.
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-2 The Big Cheese (Time: 8:52)
- Head straight ahead; on the left side of the house is a barrel with some Handgun Ammo, so grab it then head inside. Go through the door to the right, and take out the Ganados in the hallway. Continue down the hallway, and hop through the window. Across the room from you will be a bunch of Ganados, two of whom will throw dynamite. Knock the stick out of the air with a shotgun blast to take care of the whole group.
- Now, before you move across the room, keep an eye on the floor. Shoot the beartraps to disarm them before you walk by. Head through the door behind the sandbags, and kill the Ganados inside. Turn to the left from the door, and bash in the wood blocking the window with your knife. Hop through to grab the Elegant Mask, then head through the door in the northwest corner of the room.
- Head down the hallway, then drop down from the ladder into the water to find some Handgun Ammo, a Flash Grenade, and some cash. Head back up the ladder, and into the next area.
- Directly to the north is another well with a shiny object hanging over it. As before, close the well, then shoot the object, and you'll grab a Brass Pocket Watch. Now, go into the shack to find some Handgun and Rifle Ammo. Get back out on the path, disarm the explosives and traps, then head up the incline.
- Head into the house, and go to the door with the crystal ball in it. Rotate it up once, and to the left once, and it'll open up for you. Grab the Insignia Key from the dresser directly in front of you, then check the desk and the armoire in the opposite corners for some Handgun Ammo and Pesetas, then grab the document from the bed. Go through the door for a quick cutscene to end Chapter 1-2.
1-3
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-3 The Woman in Red (Time: 7:12)
- Once you regain control, go forward, and into the door you just came through for a quick bonus scene. There's nothing gained or lost here, except maybe a little foreshadowing, so if you don't want to see it, just turn around and keep going.
- Go down the stairs, then turn around and head through the door to the west to find a Ganado in the bathroom, then take him out. Head into the main room and save. In the oven there's a Brown Chicken Egg. In the alcove to the southwest, there's an Incendiary Grenade behind glass, and some Pesetas in a cabinet. Once you've gotten everything, head out the door to the east.
- There's some Ganados waiting for you on the path, and with them is a Dr. Salvador. Whatever you do, do not let him land an attack on you, because it's an instant kill. Let him get close, and give him a full blast of the shotgun in the face to knock him down. Continue to shotgun him in the head while he's down, or at least knife him.
- It will take probably a clip or more of shotgun shells to bring him down, but once he is, pick the Ruby off of him, and head down the path. In the tree branches, there's a bird's nest. Shoot it to grab another Spinel. Take out the Ganados here too, and grab the Red Herb from inside the shack. The next tree branch has a nest with TMP ammo, so grab that, and take out the squad of Ganados that comes at you.
- Head through the door, and you'll find yourself back at the village again. Unfortunately, it's been freshly restocked with Ganados, so go ahead and wipe them out again. Also unfortunately, it hasn't been restocked with items, but by now you should have enough shotgun and pistol ammo to handle the situation. Once they're all dead, go through the door to the east and use the Insignia Key to go through.
- Save the game, and grab the Handgun Ammo from the dresser. Head through the door, and break the barrel for more TMP ammo. Then shoot out the lantern to grab a Spinel. Open up the hatch in the floor and jump down.
- Go down the tunnel until you reach a wider area. Shoot out the lantern here, then shoot the three shining spots on the ceiling for two Spinels and an Elegant Headdress. Continue down the tunnel, and you'll run into the Merchant again. Take the opportunity to sell off your Spinels, the Ruby, the Brace Pocketwatch, and the Elegant Headdress; the other stuff you've got can still be combined with other items for more money. Since you've already got some ammo for it, you might as well pick up the TMP and its Stock here.
- Once your business with him is done, head past the Merchant, and through the door. You'll find yourself in the graveyard, and if you look at your map you'll see this is where the rest of the Blue Medallions are. If you got the first seven, go ahead and knock down the first three you see on your map, then head back to the Merchant. There's a pair of Ganados around too, one in the shed to the west, and one higher up the hill, so watch out for them.
- Once you get back to the Merchant, go ahead and sell your first Handgun, and pick up the Punisher, which can shoot through enemies, so it's great for firing into crowds. Head back up, and as you pass through the grave yard, take note of the double headstones, and the symbols. One looks like a angular S, one like an M, and the third set resembles a V. Closer to the Church are more Ganados, one of whom throws dynamite, so you know the drill.
- Go around to the back of the church, and kill the Ganados back there. There's a pedestal with symbols on it. First, turn the dial this number of spaces, in this order, to light up the three symbols you saw on the headstones: 3,3,3,4,4,4,3. You'll get the Green Catseye, which you can combine with the Beerstein.
- Now, check the main door of the church and you'll find it's locked. Head down the pathway south of the Church, and kill the Ganados on the scaffolding as you go through. There's a shack along the way, with a note about "Del Lago" and a box with a snake in it. Kill the snake before it bites you, and you'll get a Chicken Egg. Yeah, don't ask me how that works. Continue on the path, killing Ganados as you go, and head through the door.
- In the next area, you'll spot a bunch of crows huddled around on the ground. Take them all out with a grenade to get a bunch of Pesetas and items, then search through the two small shacks to pick up some Handgun Ammo and a Spinel; there's another one on one of the carts in the area too. When you're done here, head to the door facing south. In this room is a few boxes of Handgun Ammo in the barrels, the Merchant, and a Typewriter.
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-3 A Trip to the Lake (Time: 7:11)
- Head back out, and take the door facing east this time. Pick up the Handgun Ammo and some Pesetas in the shack, then head down the hill for another boulder chase. As before, mash the indicated button to keep ahead of the boulder, then hit the triggers when prompted to dodge it.
- At the bottom of the hill is a swamp, with Ganados walking about, and explosives wired to the walls. Head forward, and take them out as you come to them, or lure the Ganados into their own explosives. There are some snakes in the water, so try not to let them bite you.
- In the tree to the southeast is a bird's nest that has an Antique Pipe in it, so grab it, and the rest of the ammo littering the area, then continue east to the next area.
- You'll come to a fork in the road; head up the north first to see a cutscene and what's become of your other driver from the intro. No, go back and head down the other fork. About a third of the way down is another bird's nest, knock it down to grab a Gold Bangle w/ Pearls. In the shack on the right is another Yellow Herb, so grab it and mix it with whatever other herbs you have available.
- Go down to the next shack, save, and grab the Green Herb. Next, go down to the boat to fight Del Lago.
Del Lago
- GameAnyone: Chapter 1-3 Boss "Del Lago" (Time: 4:42)
- To move the boat, just press the Analog Stick. Like on foot, hold the R button to aim the spears. Start heading across the lake, and a cutscene will start. Once you regain control, hold R and try to hit the beast with a spear. Most of this fight will be spent with you being dragged around by the anchor.
- If Del Lago's leading you toward one of the trees floating in the water, let go of R and steer yourself clear. Occasionally, he'll duck under the water and quickly turn back on you. As soon as he dives, get to one side or the other to avoid it.
- The hardest attack of his to avoid is when he goes under for an extended period of time. When this happens, there'll be a short cutscene of Leon looking confused. As soon as you get control, hold R and start rotating. Eventually some arrows will pop on the screen telling you where to turn. As soon as you can see Del Lago, throw spears right down its throat. If you're quick enough, you'll get him to break off the attack before he hits you.
- If you do get knocked out of the boat, hammer on A to swim back before you're eaten. The amount of health you have determines just how much time you have. Generally, the first time you're hit is doable, but if he hits you a second time before you heal, there's almost no chance of you making it.
- Once you've done enough damage, Del Lago will go down. Don't celebrate yet, though. During the cutscene, Leon's leg gets snagged on the rope tethering you to the beast, so you'll have to mash A to get him to cut it before he's pulled down as well. Do it right, and you'll see the rest of the cutscene, and end Chapter 1.