Eighteen years have passed since the release of the original Resident Evil 4 on GameCube. Now, one of the most beloved chapters in the saga is back on consoles and PC with a remake that introduces several new features in the gameplay, which Nathan discussed at length in his review.
Whether you are a long-time fan of the Resident Evil series or about to play this game for the first time, some tips may always come in handy. Therefore, you will find five helpful suggestions to help you get started with Resident Evil 4 Remake.
Always break crates and barrels
During your adventure with Leon, you will find crates that can be broken. These are not always easy to locate as they are usually placed off the beaten track, but it may be worth looking for them as they hide valuable resources such as Pesetas or ammo. Explore the map far and wide to discover and break them. Fortunately, they can be quickly spotted because they are marked with a large X colored with yellow paint. Sometimes, the resources concealed in these crates can make all the difference during a mission, so pay attention to them.
Learn to parry
Resident Evil 4 Remake lets you parry incoming attacks with the knife. This allows you to block dangerous offensives and even counter them with a melee attack. In the most hectic situations, a successful parry proves vital because it gives you a practical way out and ensures you don’t get any damage. Timing plays a crucial role in this: you must press LB, L1, or the space bar just before an enemy hits you, and, at least initially, this takes some practice.
However, once you get the hang of it, this will significantly help you in different situations, giving you a chance to perform a proper melee counterattack. You will see a prompt appearing in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and if you time it right, you will stagger the enemy. Again, the knife’s durability is an aspect that should not be underestimated. If the weapon breaks, you can no longer parry enemy offensives. Make sure you repair it every time you stop at a Merchant.
Watch out for traps
Traps are scattered in various areas and can be challenging to spot. If you don’t pay proper attention, you could get hurt or slowed down as you try to distance yourself from enemies that run after you. Bear traps, for example, are often hidden in tall grass in outlying areas of the Village, near seemingly abandoned houses, and on trails. To disarm them, you can shoot the mechanism that triggers them. Or, you can avoid them and try remembering their location if you need to pass through the same path again.
Tripwires can also be found in several locations, and they will damage you if you step on them. However, you can deactivate these traps by interacting with or shooting them from a safe distance. Alternatively, you can lure your enemies toward tripwires and make them explode, as they won’t try to avoid them in any way.
Exploit the environment to your advantage
Like the original game, Resident Evil 4 Remake offers varied gameplay, allowing you to take out enemies in many ways. You could exploit an explosive crate placed in a strategic area, luring foes there or waiting for them to gather near it, and then shoot at it from a safe distance.
You could also make enemies step on traps scattered throughout the game, baiting them to end up on these, or take advantage of open spaces and plunge them down with a well-placed blow. When you enter a new area, analyze your surroundings and look for opportunities to perform environmental kills. This will come in handy against large groups of foes.
Don’t neglect stealth
Resident Evil 4 Remake introduces the ability to crouch and surprise enemies from behind, which was impossible in the original chapter. This opens up many new sceneries during your adventure. Your knife will allow you to eliminate your foes silently, but remember that this valuable weapon is not indestructible in the remake. If it breaks, you won’t be able to use it until you repair it at a Merchant. However, you could also find other knives and equip them until you reach your safe spot.
This is an excellent way to preserve as much ammunition as possible, especially if playing on higher-difficulty levels where resources are scarce. On the other hand, remember that large groups of enemies can be difficult to eliminate using only stealth. Sooner or later, you will probably be discovered, so be prepared to fight.
The game has undergone several changes from its original version, so take as much time as you need to settle into this remake. And stay tuned for more Resident Evil 4 Remake guides coming soon!
