Leon S. Kennedy has a bad day. Actually, a terrible one. If you’ve played the original 2005 masterpiece, you think you know what’s coming when you step into that foggy Spanish village, but the 2023 remake changes the math. This Resident Evil 4 walkthrough isn’t just about pointing you toward the next yellow-painted crate; it’s about understanding the rhythm of a game that wants you dead. You’re outnumbered. You’re low on ammo. And that guy with the chainsaw? He doesn’t care about your nostalgia.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is playing this like a standard third-person shooter. It isn't. It’s a resource management puzzle disguised as a nightmare. You have to move. If you stand still for more than three seconds, the Ganados will flank you, and suddenly you’re staring at a "You Are Dead" screen.
The Village: Why your first hour determines everything
That opening fight in the village square is legendary for a reason. It’s pure chaos. Most people try to hunker down in the house with the shotgun, but that’s a trap if you do it too early. Once you jump through that window, Dr. Salvador—the chainsaw guy—is going to show up.
Here is the secret: you don't actually have to kill everyone. You just have to survive until the bell rings. Use the environment. Kick ladders down. Use the red barrels, but save them for when the crowd is thick. If you find yourself cornered, parry. The new parry mechanic is your best friend. Tap the L1/LB button right as an enemy swings. It saves your health, though it eats your knife’s durability. It’s a trade-off. Everything in this game is a trade-off.
Knife management is the real meta-game
Don’t waste your knife on every downed enemy. Unless their neck is twitching—a sign they’re about to sprout a Plagas blade—just let them be or use a single bullet. You need that knife for stealth kills and, more importantly, for parrying the big hits. If your knife breaks during a boss fight, you’re basically cooked. You can repair it at the Merchant, but that costs pesetas. Pesetas you should be spending on power.
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The Merchant and the economy of violence
The Merchant is the only guy in Spain who isn’t trying to kill you. He’s also a capitalist. When looking at your Resident Evil 4 walkthrough of upgrades, prioritize the Silver Ghost (Leon's starting pistol) or the Red9 if you prefer raw power.
- Power over everything. A gun that hits harder saves ammo. It’s simple math.
- Case capacity. Buy the briefcase upgrades immediately. If you can’t fit the herbs, you can’t heal.
- The Bolt Thrower? Honestly, it’s niche. Some pros love it because you can recover the bolts, but for a first run, it’s often a waste of inventory space.
Don't just sell your treasures. Look at the indentations. If a crown has slots for five gems, wait until you have five different colors. The multiplier for a "Full House" or a "Five-Color" set turns a 10,000 peseta item into a 100,000 peseta windfall. That’s the difference between a level 3 shotgun and a level 5 "fuck off" stick.
Dealing with the Castle’s difficulty spike
Once you hit the Castle, the game gets mean. The Zealots have shields. They have wooden masks that stop headshots. They have those annoying red priests who make everyone’s head explode into tentacles.
The water room. Everyone hates the water room.
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In the water room, your goal isn't to kill everyone; it's to protect Ashley while she turns the cranks. If you have a flash grenade, save it for when the room is full of Plagas. Flash grenades are an instant kill for any enemy with an exposed parasite. It’s a "delete" button for the hardest enemies in the game. Keep at least two in your case at all times.
Ashley isn't a burden anymore
Capcom actually fixed the escort missions. Ashley doesn't have a health bar; she just gets incapacitated. If someone grabs her, shoot their legs. Don't use a shotgun near her, or you'll accidentally send her to the retry screen yourself. You can tell her to stay close or keep her distance. Generally, keeping her at a distance during a firefight is safer, but don't forget where you left her.
The Island and the Regeneradors
The Island is where Resident Evil 4 shifts from "scary action" to "pure horror." Specifically, the Regeneradors. These things are nightmare fuel. They breathe like they’re having a panic attack, and they don't die.
You need the Biosensor Scope. It’s tucked away in the Incubation Lab. Once you mount that on a rifle or the LE 5, you can see the parasites inside their bodies. Shoot the glowing spots. If you try to kill them with just body shots, you’ll burn through a hundred rounds and they’ll still be waddling toward you. It’s a gear check. If you missed the scope, go back.
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Final boss prep and the end-game
Lord Saddler is a spectacle, but he’s actually easier than the Krauser fight if you’re prepared. Krauser is a test of your parrying skills. If you haven't mastered the timing by then, he will shred you. For Saddler, it's all about the eyes. Pop the eyes on his legs to bring him down, then go for the main eye.
If you’re struggling, the Merchant sells a Rocket Launcher for a hefty price. It’s the "skip this fight" button. It’s expensive, but if you’ve been saving your gems, you can usually afford one for the final encounter.
Actionable insights for your playthrough
- Shoot the crows. Seriously. They drop money and sometimes grenades. It adds up over 15 hours.
- The bolt action rifle is better than the semi-auto. It sounds crazy, but the power multiplier on the bolt action makes it a boss-killer. Use it.
- Backtrack for the shrines. Once you get the Cubic Device or the Old Wayshrine Key, go back to previous areas. The rewards are usually high-value treasures that fund your end-game upgrades.
- Combine your herbs. A Red + Green + Yellow mix doesn't just heal you; it increases your maximum health permanently. Never eat a yellow herb alone. It’s a waste.
- Abuse the "Save/Load" for the shooting range. Those charms you get from the token machine? They give you massive buffs, like 20% off rocket launchers or faster run speed. Get the "Striker" charm if you can; it’s a game-changer.
The game is designed to be replayed. Your first run through this Resident Evil 4 walkthrough is about survival. Your second run, with the Infinite Rocket Launcher or the Chicago Sweeper, is about revenge. Don't sweat the deaths. Every time you die, you learn where the ambush is.
Keep your back to a wall, keep your knife sharp, and don't miss the medallions. Good luck. You're gonna need it when the lights go out in the basement.
Next Steps for Success:
- Check your treasures: Before leaving the Village for the Castle, ensure you haven't missed any "Square" keyholes or shrines, as you cannot return later.
- Focus on the Body Armor: Buy it from the Merchant as soon as it's available in Chapter 8. It drastically reduces damage from explosives and projectiles.
- Master the 180-turn: Quick-turn (Down + B/Circle) is the only way to survive the "Verdugo" chase in the sewers. Practice it until it's muscle memory.