Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 Remake revitalizes one of the most iconic survival horror games ever made. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough, covering chapters, weapons, puzzles, treasures, and combat tips — everything you need to survive the nightmarish village, castle, and island.
Whether you’re new to Resident Evil 4 Remake or replaying it for hidden secrets, this guide will help you maximize your gameplay efficiency and unlock every achievement.
Getting Started: Understanding the Basics
Game Overview
Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023) is a third-person action-horror game starring Leon S. Kennedy, a U.S. government agent sent to rescue the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, from a mysterious cult in a remote European village.
The remake modernizes the gameplay with enhanced graphics, AI improvements, and new combat mechanics such as parrying attacks and stealth kills.
Essential Survival Tips
Before diving into the walkthrough, remember these key Resident Evil 4 survival strategies:
- Conserve Ammo – Use your knife, melee, and environmental traps whenever possible.
- Upgrade Wisely – Focus early upgrades on your handgun and shotgun.
- Explore Thoroughly – Break barrels, search drawers, and check maps for hidden treasures.
- Parry and Counter – Learn the perfect timing for parrying enemy attacks with your knife.
- Sell Treasures Smartly – Combine gemstones before selling to maximize profit.
Chapter 1: The Village
Your journey begins on a dark forest road leading into the infamous Spanish village.
Objectives:
- Investigate the missing police officers
- Enter the village center
- Survive the Ganado attack
Step-by-Step:
- Forest Path: Collect handgun ammo from crates and check the cabin for your first enemy encounter.
- Village Center: You’ll soon face a massive horde of villagers, including the deadly Dr. Salvador (Chainsaw Man). Don’t waste bullets — lure enemies into choke points. Use grenades and shotgun blasts to manage groups. Survive until the church bell rings.
- Post-Battle: Loot every house and barn. You’ll find the Shotgun mounted in one of the upper floors and multiple treasures hidden in cabinets.
💡 Pro Tip: Always shoot hanging lanterns to ignite enemies and save ammo. This trick works throughout many areas of the game.
Chapter 2–3: Village Exploration and Quarry Area
Now that you’ve survived the initial wave, it’s time to explore the Lakeside area and Abandoned Factory.
Key Items:
- Hexagonal Emblem (for gate puzzle)
- Wrench Key Item
- Merchant’s Shop (First Encounter)
The Merchant becomes your main resource hub. You can buy, sell, and upgrade weapons, or trade Spinels for exclusive items like the Treasure Map.
Recommended Weapon Upgrades:
- Handgun Power + Reload Speed
- Shotgun Power
- Attaché Case Expansion
For early game power, upgrade the SG-09R Handgun and W-870 Shotgun first. Avoid wasting money on TMP unless you’re confident in controlling its recoil.
Chapter 4–5: The Lake Monster (Del Lago) and Ashley Rescue
One of the most iconic boss fights awaits: the Del Lago battle.
How to Defeat Del Lago:
- Use Harpoons – Aim and throw them quickly as the monster circles your boat.
- Avoid Obstacles – Use directional controls to dodge debris.
- Keep Calm – Don’t panic if thrown into water; swim back fast.
After victory, search the lake with your boat to discover hidden treasure caves. These areas contain Velvet Blues, Gold Bars, and Gemstones.
Next, you’ll enter the Church, where you’ll finally locate Ashley Graham.
Chapter 6–8: Defending Ashley and Escaping the Castle
The Castle section introduces tougher enemies and challenging puzzles.
Key Tips for Castle Survival:
- Use Ashley Commands – Tell her to “stay” in safe zones during combat.
- Avoid Catapults – When entering the courtyard, use your rifle to snipe enemy catapult operators.
- Shield Enemies – Use grenades or parry attacks to break their defenses.
Puzzle Solutions:
Armory Puzzle: Rotate the knights’ swords in the correct order (Iron, Golden, Bloodied, Rusted).
Gallery Puzzle: Match the colors and symbols on the wall banners.
Don’t miss the Elegant Mask and Butterfly Lamp, two of the most valuable treasures that can be inlaid with gemstones for higher resale value.
Chapter 9–11: The Dungeon and Verdugo Boss Fight
This mid-game section intensifies with the introduction of Verdugo, one of the deadliest creatures in the remake.
Verdugo Boss Strategy:
- Use Liquid Nitrogen Traps – Freeze the boss to slow it down.
- Shotgun and Magnum – Deal maximum damage while it’s frozen.
- Save Ammo – If you’re low, focus on evading until you can reach the elevator.
Chapter 12–14: The Island Base and Krauser Battle
After the castle, Leon and Ashley reach the military island, home to advanced Plaga enemies.
Key Objectives:
- Infiltrate the island facility
- Rescue Ashley again
- Defeat Jack Krauser
Krauser Boss Fight Tips:
Krauser’s knife combat is intense. Focus on perfect parries and dodges.
Later, he transforms into a monstrous form. Use explosive grenades and shotgun shells when he leaps.
💡 Upgrade your Stingray Rifle before this battle — it’s highly effective for quick bursts of precision.
Chapter 15–16: Final Showdown with Saddler
The final chapters focus on Ada Wong’s mysterious involvement and the final boss fight against Lord Saddler.
Final Boss Strategy:
- Shoot the Eyes – Focus fire on Saddler’s glowing weak points.
- Avoid Tentacles – Use the environment to maintain distance.
- Rocket Launcher – Ada will drop a Special Rocket Launcher to finish the fight.
After defeating Saddler, escape the collapsing island with Ashley on the jet ski — completing the main story.
Optional Side Quests and Blue Medallions
Throughout the game, you’ll encounter Merchant Requests like destroying Blue Medallions or killing special enemies. Completing these grants Spinels, which can be exchanged for rare treasures.
Best Spinel Trades:
- Exclusive Upgrade Ticket (for max weapon potential)
- Treasure Map (Village/Castle/Island)
- Laser Sight
Best Weapons and Upgrade Recommendations
| Weapon | Type | Why It’s Great |
|---|
| Red9 | Handgun | Highest power; pair with stock for accuracy. |
| Striker | Shotgun | Massive crowd control, fast reload. |
| Stingray | Rifle | Quick rate of fire and accuracy. |
| Broken Butterfly | Magnum | Ideal for bosses and armored enemies. |
| Knife (Primal) | Melee | Essential for parrying and stealth kills. |
💡 Pro Tip: Prioritize weapon power, reload speed, and rate of fire upgrades before capacity. Only increase capacity before a reload to get free ammo.
Treasure Combination System
One of the most profitable strategies in Resident Evil 4 Remake is treasure combination.
Combine items like the Elegant Mask with Red, Green, and Yellow Gemstones to sell for maximum value. This mechanic rewards exploration and is vital for funding your weapon upgrades.
Advanced Tips for Hardcore and Professional Modes
- Perfect Parry Timing – Mastering parries allows you to block even Chainsaw attacks.
- Knife Durability – Always repair your knife with the Merchant. A broken knife leaves you defenseless.
- Stealth Kill Tactics – Sneak up on enemies using the crouch feature. Silent kills save ammo.
- Inventory Management – Keep healing items at the bottom, ammo in the middle, and weapons on top for faster switching.
- Use Flash Grenades – Instantly kill Plaga heads and flying parasites.
Unlockables and New Game Plus Rewards
After completing the main story, you’ll unlock:
- New Game Plus Mode
- Infinite Rocket Launcher
- Special Weapons (Chicago Sweeper, Handcannon)
- Costumes and Filters
Replaying on higher difficulty unlocks new challenges, and mastering them boosts your rank and rewards.
Final Thoughts: Mastering Resident Evil 4 Remake
The Resident Evil 4 Remake remains one of the most replayable survival horror games ever — blending intense combat, puzzle-solving, and cinematic storytelling.
By following this comprehensive walkthrough, you’ll uncover all secrets, treasures, and weapons, optimize your gameplay, and achieve a perfect S-rank on higher difficulties.
