Welcome to the Resident Evil 4 recommended playthroughs guide for the 2023 remake. You will need to play through the game multiple times performing various scenarios to unlock all achievements/trophies. This will outline the recommended and optional playthroughs needed to accomplish them.
Refer to the Resident Evil 4 Achievements Guide for details about unlocking all achievements/trophies.
New Game Assisted
Start by playing through the game on Assisted difficulty while you grab all the collectibles and chapter-specific achievement/trophies. At the end of this playthrough, unlock and fully upgrade the Primal Knife and one of the handguns.
- Completing this will unlock the Primal Knife (collected 16 Castellans) and Infinite Rocket Launcher (available for 2 million ptas in NG+ only).
- Create a save at the last merchant in Chapter 16. After completing the story, reload the save and fully upgrade the Primal Knife making it indestructible and equip it. Then, escape the island and make a new save that can be loaded into NG+ with the Primal Knife.
- This playthrough will earn the majority of the achievements/trophies included in the game.
New Game+ Assisted
For the second playthrough, choose Assisted difficulty on NG+ and play with only knives (maxed Primal Knife) and handguns while avoiding the merchant entirely.
- This will earn the Minimalist and Silent Stranger achievements/trophies with the possibility of Sprinter.
- Again, create a save at the last merchant in Chapter 16. After completing the story, reload the save, socket/sell treasures, gear, and unused weapons until you have 2 million ptas. Then, purchase the Infinite Rocket Launcher, equip it, and use it to complete the game. Create a new save that can be loaded into NG+ with the launcher.
New Game+ Hardcore
(Optional) If you want to make the next Professional run even easier, consider doing a NG+ Hardcore playthrough. Follow the guidance given for Professional, but you will have auto-saves to simplify and speed up the run.
- Completing this will earn Ashley’s Armor (she no longer takes physical damage), and the Promising Agent and Proficient Agent achievements/trophies.
New Game+ Professional
On the third playthrough, choose Professional difficulty on NG+. The goal is to finish with an A rank (less than 7 hours), so plan to use the Infinite Rocket Launcher to mop up the enemies. This can be combined with Frugalist, but it is not recommended since it will significantly increase the number of times you need to retry sections when you lose life. The lack of auto-saves makes a few sections of the game frustratingly long if you are trying to conserve life.
- Completing this will earn Ashley’s Armor (she no longer takes physical damage), Gas Mask (allows auto targeting in any mode), and Chicago Sweeper (maxed upgrade has infinite ammo).
- This playthrough will earn the Promising Agent, Proficient Agent, Peerless Agent, and Sprinter (if it wasn’t earned in #2) achievements/trophies.
New Game+ Assisted
(Optional, but recommended) This playthrough for Frugalist is quick if you only focus on not using health items and play NG+ on Assisted difficulty with the Infinite Rocket Launcher and Ashley’s Armor. You are allowed to repair your body armor without voiding the challenge.
- Completing this will earn the Frugalist achievement/trophy.
New Game Standard
Next, start a new save game (not NG+) on Standard mode and focus on getting the S+ rank by completing it in 5:00. If you die or take too much damage, quit to the main menu and load the last save manually to avoid the time stacking. Make sure to use Ashley’s Armor and get the Chicago Sweeper exclusive upgrade as quickly as possible (don’t upgrade anything else except power/damage). The Gas Mask is also useful on this playthrough if you prefer having aim assist on.
Complete all the merchant requests in the Village with the exception of the wolf tasks. Once you reach the Castle, complete the Blue Medallion request in the area with the cannon, purchase the Exclusive Upgrade Ticket, and apply it to the Chicago Sweeper. Then, sell your remaining weapons and use it with a few Rocket Launchers for the last 2 region bosses. Use the remaining proceeds to upgrade the Chicago Sweeper and Primal Knife.
- Completing this will earn the Deer Antlers (increases knife damage) and the Mission Accomplished S+ achievement/trophy.
New Game Hardcore
Then, start a new save game (not NG+) on Hardcore mode and focus on getting the S+ rank by completing it in 5:30. If you die or take too much damage, quit to the main menu and load the last save manually to avoid the time stacking. Make sure to use Ashley’s Armor and get the Chicago Sweeper exclusive upgrade as quickly as possible (don’t upgrade anything else except power/damage). The Gas Mask is also useful on this playthrough if you prefer having aim assist on.
Complete all the merchant requests in the Village with the exception of the wolf tasks. Once you reach the Castle, complete the Blue Medallion request in the area with the cannon, purchase the Exclusive Upgrade Ticket, and apply it to the Chicago Sweeper. Then, sell your remaining weapons and use it with a few Rocket Launchers for the last 2 region bosses. Use the remaining proceeds to upgrade the Chicago Sweeper and Primal Knife.
- Completing this will earn the Chicken Hat (significantly reduces damage received) and the S+ Rank Investigator achievement/trophy.
New Game Professional
Finally, start a new save game (not NG+) on Professional mode, don’t use special weapons, and take your time (rank doesn’t matter). Make sure to use the Chicken Hat, Ashley’s Armor, and consider purchasing Rocket Launchers for the last 2 region boss battles. This playthrough will be frustrating with the lack of auto-saves, but there are additional save points (check map for typewriters). Tether yourself to the last save point make a little progress, and go back to save again.
If you play through a section and feel you spent too much ammo, quit and reload the save. For some large encounters (Water Hall, Ballroom, Stronghold, Bulwark Gate, etc.), lure the enemies to the gate and take a few of them out before saving. In large open areas (Water Hall, Stronghold, Bulwark Gate) use a scoped rifle to go for head shots. Repeat the process until the area is clear. When you encounter segments that you will never return to, run from the enemies to conserver ammo.
- Completing this will earn the Handcannon and the Gun Fanatic achievement/trophy after you purchase the Handcannon from the Extra Content Shop and move it from storage to your inventory in-game.
That’s it for the Resident Evil 4 Recommended Playthroughs guide. Please post any questions or comments below. Thanks.