Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 (known as Biohazard 4 in Japan) is the fourth main entry in Capcom's popular series. First released in 2005 for the Nintendo Gamecube, it was later ported to the PS2 with some additional content and weaponry but downgraded graphics, followed by a straight PC port in 2007. A version for the Nintendo Wii with Wiimote motion controls, combining the extras of the PS2 version and the graphical quality of the Gamecube version was also released in 2007, and this was later followed by versions for Apple's iPhone in 2009 and iPad in 2010. In 2011 a high-definition version was released on PSN and XBox Live, followed by the "Ultimate HD Edition" for PC in early 2014. In 2021 Capcom announced a new version of Resident Evil 4 that incorporates a first-person perspective along with virtual reality headset and motion controller support via the Oculus Quest 2. This new version of the game also includes redesigned high-resolution textures.
The main character is Leon Scott Kennedy, previously a rookie cop in Resident Evil 2. Six years after Leon's escape from Raccoon City, he is now a special agent working for the US Government and investigating the disappearance of the President's daughter Ashley Graham in a remote area of Spain. He soon finds out that the local villagers have become mindless monsters called Ganados, who attack any outsiders with vicious intent, and seem to be ruled by a mysterious religious cult called the Los Iluminados who infect people with parasites named "Las Plagas". Leon battles his way across this rural part of Spain as he rescues Ashley and foils the cult leader's schemes.
From the PS2 version onwards, an additional campaign called "Separate Ways" was added, which covers what Leon's sometimes-ally Ada Wong was doing during the events of the story. Another non-canon mini-campaign starring Ada, called Assignment: Ada, is available for all versions. Also introduced is The Mercenaries mode, an arcade mode where the player plays as characters from the game and the Resident Evil universe, each with their own abilities and equipment, and kill enemies in a timed arena to get the highest score possible. The mode, a fleshed out version of the "The Mercenaries - Operation: Mad Jackal" mode from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, would prove to be extremely popular, returning for Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, even spawning its own spin-off game Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. All three side-games are unlocked upon beating the main game once.
A remake of this game in the same vein as other recent installments was released on March 24, 2023.
=Overview=
Resident Evil 4 uses a third-person over-shoulder view with a toggle for aiming; player characters cannot shoot or reload outside of aim mode, and cannot move while aiming. To facilitate aiming, a red laser sight is fitted to almost every non-scoped weapon in the game, and will enamate a full solid laser beam when aiming; the only version where this is not the case is the Wii version, which has a large circular crosshair in place of the laser beam to compensate for the less precise motion control.
The game has a grid-based inventory system explained as an attache case the player character is conspicuously not carrying; this has a set number of squares into which all weapons, ammunition and other items except treasure and keys must be fitted. Characters can only equip a single weapon at a time, which is switched out from the inventory screen, though equipping a grenade will also allow every other grenade of that type the player has to be thrown.
Weapons can either be found in the game world or bought from the Merchant, a strange hooded man with a ridiculously hammy voice that will exchange priceless treasures for various hardware. Stores also allow weapons to be upgraded; most weapons can have their power, fire rate, reload speed and capacity upgraded in a series of increments that unlock as the campaign progresses; these do not alter the weapons visually, and often result in absurd increases in ammo capacities. Almost every weapon has a high-priced "exclusive" upgrade which will boost a single aspect of its stats significantly. This system does not apply to Ada's campaign; her weapons are at a pre-set level and cannot be further upgraded.
A few weapons also have optional mods which take up additional inventory space; stocks can be attached to the C96 and TMP to remove the simulated hand sway effect and reduce recoil, and several other weapons can equip scopes.
=Handguns=
=="Silver Ghost"==
Leon Kennedy's starting weapon is the "Handgun", commonly nicknamed "Silver Ghost", and uses Handgun Ammo (9mm). The pistol is of fictional design, which, according to unsourced reports citing RE4 weapon designer Shigeomi Okamura, was inspired by H&K USP, S&W Sigma, and Ruger P85; the latter makes the most sense, as the Silver Ghost replaced Leon's prior starting handgun, the Ruger KP94, late in the game's development.
The Silver Ghost takes heavy design cues from all three handguns: From the USP it takes the Tactical version's threaded barrel for a sound suppressor, frame, trigger, and slide stop. From the Sigma it borrows its slide, magazine, and magazine well. From the P85 it claims its external hammer, iron sights, and grips with horizontal serrations.
As for its original features: Its slide is stainless steel with vertical slide serrations. Its polymer grip has checkered front and back straps, while the panels are wood framed with polymer inserts (featuring the P85's serrations) and a central medallion on each side. The grips in general strongly resemble the ones featured on Jill's Beretta 92FS "Samurai Edge" from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. It lacks an external safety like a Glock. A red laser sight has been fixed to the frame, with its pressure switch attached to the grip.
In gameplay the Silver Ghost features average power, decent magazine capacity, good firing speed, and rather shaky aim compared to other handguns. When fully upgraded it receives a x5 critical headshot rate, making it much more likely to kill normal Ganados (and also Las Plagas parasites) in one hit.
The name "Silver Ghost" is not used at any point inside Resident Evil 4; it appears to be an unofficial nickname that originated from the January 2006 issue of the ARMS magazine (Japanese: アームズ), a Japanese monthly airsoft enthusiast magazine. The issue was a Resident Evil 4 PS2 release special, and contained an article on a custom airsoft reproduction of Leon's Handgun, alongside a staff-written story about how Leon conceived the pistol with Joseph Kendo, a gun maker from Raccoon City who previously designed the custom "Samurai Edge" handguns for the Raccoon City S.T.A.R.S. This story gave the weapon the name of "Silver Ghost" (which was given by Leon in reference of his current condition of being "a spirit pulled out from [his] body"), which became the common name for the gun.
The story was entirely unofficial, and was more or less a short fanfiction, but some elements were apparently official; the in-game weapon's slide is marked with the words "Kendo Custom Shop", meaning that the idea that of the pistol being custom work by Kendo gifted to Leon is likely true. The article was also apparently written based on interviews with Resident Evil weapon designer Shigeomi Okamura (who also designed weapons for Capcom's Devil May Cry and Dino Crisis series), meaning that some elements of the story, maybe even the name itself, possibly came straight out of the weapon designer.
Albert Wesker uses a separate Silver Ghost in The Mercenaries, where it is equipped with a suppressor. The suppressor was initially available for Leon's Silver Ghost which can be found in a room with treasures, but was cut in the final game for unknown reasons. Interestingly, Wesker also uses a silenced Silver Ghost in Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.
===VR version===
==FN Five-seveN==
The Punisher is based off of the FN Five-seveN handgun. Though chambered in 5.7x28mm in reality, the in-game version uses regular Handgun Ammo (9mm) although in the VR version it correctly uses 5.7x28mm rounds as can be seen in the magazine model. In game, the weapon has the ability to pierce shields and multiple enemies, an exaggerated gameplay depiction of the real 5.7x28mm's armor penetrating capabilities. Its in-game model features an altered trigger.
This weapon can be purchased from the Merchant or won in a contest after shooting ten of fifteen blue medallions scattered across two areas. If all targets have been shot, the Punisher will have a free upgrade added onto it, making it slightly more powerful than the standard Handgun. When every handgun is upgraded to its maximum, the Punisher is the weakest, but it can penetrate through several enemies. The gun is used by Ada in Assignment Ada and The Mercenaries.
===VR version===
==Mauser C96 "Red 9"==
The Mauser C96 "Red 9" appears under its famous nickname. It can be purchased from the Merchant after Chapter 2-2, who also sells an attachable stock that improves its accuracy significantly. It is the most powerful 9mm handgun in-game, and when coupled with its stock, also the most accurate, but it is also the slowest-firing. The original US edition has an Exclusive firepower rating of 5.0, while the PAL edition raises this to 6.5.
Vagrant Spaniard Luis Sera uses this as his primary weapon in the main game.
thumb|none|400px|Mauser C96 "Red 9" Version with shoulder stock and stripper clip - 9x19mm
===VR version===
==Springfield Armory XD==
The Blacktail is based on the Springfield XD with grips inspired by the FN FNP-9. Though using regular Handgun Ammo (9mm), it appears to be a rather bulkier larger caliber version of the XD rather than 9mm, perhaps a design error. It can be purchased from the Merchant after Leon reaches the castle. Ada uses this as her handgun in the main game and Separate Ways. Leon uses it in The Mercenaries. It has a better handling than the standard handgun. Fully upgraded, it is the second fastest firing and highest capacity handgun in the game, with the Matilda being at number 1. The PAL edition improves its maximum Firepower rating from 3.4 to 4.5.
==Heckler & Koch VP70M==
The Matilda is an H&K VP70M, the same handgun Leon uses as a rookie cop in Resident Evil 2. It is unlocked for purchase from the Merchant after successfully completing the game once on Normal difficulty. It is fitted with its stock, which cannot be removed unlike the Red-9 or the TMP. It fires rapid three-round bursts, much faster than in RE2 and probably the closest a video game VP70 gets to the 2200 RPM burst fire of the real VP70M. Like in RE2 the slide incorrectly locks back upon expending all ammo.
Its exclusive upgrade grants a 100-round magazine: heavily exaggerated from its real life capacity, but with its high ROF even 100 rounds run out quickly. The name Matilda is inspired by the character Mathilda from the movie Léon: The Professional.
=="Broken Butterfly"==
The Broken Butterfly is a top-break revolver chambered in Magnum Ammo (.45 ACP, misidentified by the developers as a high pressure magnum cartridge). It is a hybrid of the Smith & Wesson Schofield and Colt Single Action Army; the barrel and hinge resemble the Model 3 Schofield, while the frame is nearly identical to the Colt SAA. Despite looking like an old fashioned single action revolver, the gun actually has a double action mechanism, which is convenient for rapid firing at big monsters without that thumb-cocking drivel. The Merchant tells the player about the "joy of reloading": because the ejector rod does not completely push out casings, Leon will dump empties behind his back then throw cartridges into the chambers rather than simply sliding them into position.
It has a loading gate like the SAA which is not necessary given its top-break mechanism, however the gate lid is missing, meaning the cartridge in the chamber aligned with the loading gate is visible. This can mean two things: Either the aligned cartridge can fall entirely out of its chamber while pointing the gun upwards, wasting a good round. Or an expanded fired cartridge can partially fall out and get stuck, which would block the cylinder from turning and jam the gun (both scenarios not happening in the game for obvious reasons).
It can be purchased from the Merchant after Chapter 3–1, but a free one can found in a section of the castle after freeing Ashley in Chapter 4-1. Its capacity can be upgraded up to 12, despite being a six shooter. It has a firepower of 50.0 after purchasing its exclusive upgrade.
==Colt M1911==
The Killer7 is a modified Colt M1911 that may be purchased from the Merchant after Leon reaches the Island in Chapter 5-1, and uses Magnum Ammo (.45 ACP). Its model is a reference to the AMT Hardballer in The Terminator, with a similar large custom laser mounted on top of the slide. It is the only weapon that has no exclusive ability when fully upgraded. The name of the weapon is a reference to fellow Capcom game Killer7, in which the character KAEDE Smith uses a similarly modified 1911.
==Smith & Wesson Model 500==
The Smith & Wesson Model 500 appears as the "Handcannon"; equipped with a fictional laser sight, a six chambered cylinder (the real thing has only five chambers), and checkered grips taken from Barry Burton's Silver Serpent. It is one of the earliest depictions of the S&W Model 500 in visual media.
This extremely powerful weapon can be unlocked free of charge when the player gets a five-star rank with all characters on all stages in Mercenary Mode. It uses its own unique ammunition (.50 caliber), which are dropped at random by enemies while the gun is in the inventory, and can also be sold at a high price. The first reload animation has Leon loading four rounds manually, which changes to a speed loader reload when the player upgrades its reload speed to max level.
When fully upgraded, the Handcannon acquires infinite ammunition and the second highest damage of any weapon in the game at 99.9, far exceeding the Broken Butterfly and Killer7.
=Shotguns=
==Remington 870==
The first shotgun that Leon gets is a Remington 870, more specifically the Express Combo model with its smoothbore barrel installed. May be obtained in one of three ways: on Easy difficulty, the weapon comes in Leon's inventory when the game starts; on Normal or higher difficulties, Leon can find it for free on the second floor of a house in the Ganado Village; alternatively, the player can purchase this weapon from the Merchant from the very beginning. Not an outstanding weapon, nonetheless when fully upgraded its range exceeds that of any shotgun, enabling it to kill enemies normally out of shotgun range.
Ada uses her own unique version in Separate Ways; it has a stainless steel barrel, a pistol grip, and a foregrip attached to its fore-end. Its damage is average for a shotgun.
===VR version===
==Custom Benelli M3 Super 90== 
This stainless-steel shotgun is a custom Benelli M3 with elements from the Benelli M4 added to it, notably the collapsible stock and the top rail on the receiver. Called the Riot Gun, it is identical to Richard Aiken's Assault Shotgun from the Resident Evil 2002 Remake except for the lack of the S.T.A.R.S emblem on the receiver, though the early XM1014-style receiver bumps it would have been embossed into remain.
Despite the fact that many prefer the tighter spread of the Riot Gun over the Striker's wide-shot, it is rarely used once the Striker becomes available due to its compact design, despite the fact that the Riot Gun has clearly been intentionally modified with the M4 collapsing stock.
The weapon may be purchased from the Merchant from Chapter 3-1 onwards. It is also used by Leon in The Mercenaries.
thumb|none|400px|Airsoft Benelli M3 Super 90 produced by CYMA
===VR version===
In Resident Evil 4 VR, the Riot Gun model has been changed. This version was based on the Remington 870 with an M4S90 stock and an M3S90 handguard.
thumb|none|500px|Cyma CM353LM
==Cobray Street Sweeper / Armsel Protecta Hybrid==
A hybrid of a SWD/Cobray Street Sweeper and Armsel Protecta may be purchased from the Merchant, and is called the Striker, which was the original variant of the weapon series. The weapon model lacks the rear lever and the wind-up key of the Street Sweeper, but it also lacks the Armsel Protecta's shell deflector. Functionally, the weapon has the semi-automatic firing of the Street Sweeper and the automatic shell ejection of the Armsel Protecta (which is animated in a bizarre way; the spent shell ejects itself after a short delay instead of immediately when the weapon is fired as it should be).
Being semi-automatic, the Striker fires much faster than the other pump-action shotguns, though Leon has an exaggerated recoil animation after every shot, meaning that there is still a delay between shots. The reload animation has Leon always putting two shells into the gun then giving the (visually absent) wind-up key a crank. When upgraded to max level, the Striker's capacity expands to a whopping 100 rounds. Leon aims and fires the Striker from the hip like Ada's shotgun, despite a foldout stock being clearly present.
===VR version===
=Submachine Guns=
==Steyr TMP==
The Steyr TMP, simply called the TMP in-game, may be purchased from the Merchant after the player's first encounter with him. A stock may also be purchased to improve accuracy and reduce recoil. Ada also uses the TMP in her cutscenes and campaign, as well as in The Mercenaries mode. The TMP uses its own custom 9mm Ammo, not shared with the handguns.
===VR version===
==Brügger & Thomet MP9==
Chapter 5-3 boss Jack Krauser wields a customized TMP based on the Brügger & Thomet MP9. It is modified with a B&T MP9 folding stock, an RIS attached extended muzzle-end fitted with a different vertical-grip, and a PEQ laser sight. In The Mercenaries minigame, HUNK carries this modified TMP as his weapon. HUNK also uses it in Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles instead of his MP5A3 from RE2.
thumb|none|400px|Brügger & Thomet MP9 - 9x19mm
==M1A1 Thompson==
The Thompson submachine gun appears in the game under one of its many famous historical nicknames, the Chicago Typewriter. In the main campaign this weapon is unlocked for Leon by completing the Separate Ways side-story. In Separate Ways the Thompson is unlocked for Ada by finishing the non-canon Assignment Ada (On the GameCube Assignment Ada unlocks the gun for Leon). It may purchased from the Merchant for either 1 million (Leon) or 3 million pesetas (Ada). It comes with unlimited ammo and high damage.
The Chicago Typewriter appears as the M1A1 Thompson from WWII when using Leon's Normal and R.P.D. costumes, and can be redundantly reloaded with 30 round stick magazines. When donning Leon's Mafia costume or playing as Ada in Separate Ways, a second model of the M1A1 Thompson appears: it uses 50 round drum magazines and its handguard is replaced with the slanted foregrip found on the 1921/1928 Thompson variants (the M1A1 receiver is incapable of accepting drum mags in real life without modifications). Both Typewriters incorrectly fire from a closed bolt instead of an open bolt.
=Sniper Rifles=
==Springfield M1903A4==
A Springfield M1903A4 rifle can be purchased from the Merchant. It uses Rifle Ammo (.223), which implies that the Springfield has been converted from .30-06 Springfield to .223 Remington. A higher magnification scope can be bought for the rifle, increasing its accuracy at long range, and it could also be fitted with the Infrared Scope found on the island to help with defeating Regenerators and Iron Maidens. Whenever Leon fires the weapon the scope view pulls back out into third-person while he cycles the action. When fully upgraded, the bolt action Springfield's damage greatly exceeds that of its semi-auto counterpart: in the original NTSC editions it increases to 18.0, while in the PAL version and later releases it is raised to a rather absurd 30.0, and rivals the power of the Magnums.
===VR version===
==Heckler & Koch SL8==
A Semi-Auto Heckler & Koch SL8 may be purchased by Leon from the Merchant, and also uses Rifle Ammo. The weapon uses a G36V export optical sight by default. Being a semi-auto it fires significantly faster and without the return to third-person after each shot, allowing the player to keep trained on a target between shots. Like the bolt-action rifle, a separate custom scope can bought and attached, as well as the Infrared scope found on the Island. This gun is used by Ada in Separate Ways, Assignment Ada, and The Mercenaries. It is also used by Wesker in The Mercenaries.
===VR version===
=Machine Guns=
==Modified Gatling Gun==
At the end of sequence of Leon chasing a Los Iluminados priest in the Castle, the villain jumps on what appears to be an antique Gatling Gun with its hand crank and vertical magazine removed, and instead rigged up to the drive system and feed unit of an M134 Minigun. Later on the island, the same gun emplacements appear, used by enemy mercenaries.
==Hand Held M134 Minigun ==
The Big Afro-Spaniard Ganado J.J. enemy wields a Hand Held M134 Minigun.
thumb|none|400px|Airsoft handheld M134 Minigun with 'Chainsaw grip' to handle the recoil force. This variant was seen in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. This is an airsoft version which retains the half-circle attachment point for the M60 foregrip from Predator; the real T2 minigun did not have this - (fake) 7.62x51mm NATO
==GE M134 Minigun==
Mike, the helicopter pilot who provides close air support to Leon during the endgame, has twin remote controlled GE M134 Miniguns mounted on the hull of his bird.
thumb|none|400px|General Electric M134 - 7.62x51mm NATO
=Launchers=
==RPG-7==
The RPG-7 serves as the rocket launcher of the game. The standard single-shot Rocket Launcher may be purchased any time from the Merchant, and a free one can be found in the Castle. The Special Rocket Launcher with red rocket is provided by Ada Wong during the final boss fight to finish off the boss (though they can be killed without using the Special Rocket Launcher, in which case the player can keep the launcher and sell it for extra money on New Game +). The Infinite Rocket Launcher is available for purchase from the Merchant upon completion of the game once. Obviously, the rocket launchers are capable of dealing heavy damage to any creature, often killing bosses with one shot when aimed at their weak spots.
Some Ganados such as Saddler's Army Men are also armed with RPG-7 rocket launchers.
===VR version===
=Heavy Weaponry=
==Cannon==
In the Castle, Leon fires a giant cannon to destroy a gate so he can proceed.
==M61 Vulcan==
In Separate Ways Ada Wong finds a M61 Vulcan Rotary Cannon which can be used against the gun batteries of a small warship manned by Los Iluminados soldiers.
==Flak Artillery==
Aside from the Rotary Cannon, Ada can also use an artillery piece to destroy the warship's guns (needs identification).
==Warship Artillery==
The Los Iluminados have a warship at their disposal, which seems to have been converted from a commercial vessel. It is armed with weaponry similar to those found on a US Navy destroyer, though the gun positions are nonsensical for a fighting ship. Ada needs to destroy these armaments to proceed as they deal extreme damage to her.
===Anti-Aircraft Gun===
===Naval Gun===
===Torpedo Launcher===
=Unusable Guns=
==Smith & Wesson Model 2==
An image of a Smith & Wesson Model 2 revolver can be seen on the door of the Merchant's shooting range, found throughout the game.
==Flintlock Pistol==
An image of a Flintlock Pistol can also be seen on the door of the Merchant's shooting range.
==Colt 1851 Navy==
What appears to be a Colt 1851 Navy revolver can be seen on a painting in the castle. The picture itself is based on 'King Charles I At The Hunt' by Anthony Van Dyck, which makes it out of time.
==Remington 700 BDL==
In a cutscene, one of Ganados with the village chief Bitores Mendez uses what appears to be a Remington 700 BDL rifle modified to fire tranquilizer darts to knock out Ada Wong.
==Merchant Displays==
The Merchant has a few weapons on display that can not be purchased. These include a Steyr SPP (or a TMP missing its fore-grip), a low-detail Heckler & Koch SL8, and a few Ruger KP94 handguns.
=Other=
==Bowgun==
In Separate Ways, Ada Wong can buy a Bowgun from the Merchant that shoots crossbow bolts tipped with explosive broadheads. It deals roughly the same damage as a hand grenade.
==Harpoon Gun==
Leon uses thrown harpoons during the "Del Lago" boss fight; in the VR version, these harpoons are replaced by a custom harpoon gun. The harpoon gun appears to be based on some combination of a pump-action and single-barreled break-action shotgun, as it features a non-functional magazine tube, an exposed hammer, and an extra spur on the trigger guard (which serves as the lever for opening the action on some break-action shotguns, such as the IZh-18). 
==Krauser's Drones==
During the buildup to Krauser's boss fight, several robotic drones will approach Leon and either shoot with machine guns or self destruct.
==Mine Thrower==
Leon can purchase a Mine Thrower from the Merchant. It fires explosive mine darts that stick to any surface, be it the ground or an enemy. The darts detonate after a few seconds, dealing heavy damage to anything near them. The Mine Thrower feeds from a detachable box magazine, but despite this it has to be "broken open" like a derringer to reload. Once fully upgraded, the Mine Thrower darts have a larger radius and become heat-seeking, just like the Mine Thrower from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.
=Explosives=
==Custom Grenades==
There are three types of custom hand grenades found in RE4: Fragmentation grenades deal wide area explosive damage, Flashbangs stun all enemies in range and also have an added effect of instantly killing exposed Las Plagas parasites, and finally Incendiary grenades burn all targets in a small area. Weirdly, the pins are not pulled when throwing them.
===VR version===
==M67 Grenade==
M67 Hand Grenades can be found in one of the Merchant's shops. They can't be bought and used.
==Dynamite==
Certain Ganados carry and throw sticks of dynamite at their enemies. Because of their reckless usage of explosives, they often get themselves or their own comrades killed, which the player can exploit. Their dynamite can also be shot in their hand or in mid-air, which provides even more options. In the mines, Leon must use dynamite to blow up a huge rock blocking the way.
==TNT==
There are several traps scattered across the game consisting of bundles of TNT lashed together connected to two detonators with a tripwire running across two walls. During Krauser's final boss fight, several charges of TNT are rigged to blow inside the fort Leon and Krauser are fighting in.
==Molotov Cocktail==
During the first village encounter, Leon can climb a tall tower and be safe from enemy melee attacks. However the villagers will toss Molotov Cocktails at his position instead to flush him out.
=Ammunition images=
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