Credit: Capcom
In the original Resident Evil 4, The Mercenaries was a special game mode unlocked after finishing the main game in which you’d take on endless hordes of Ganados in an effort to rack up a high score. What made this mode especially cool was the extra characters you could unlock to play as, each with their own unique loadouts and skills. This has carried over into the Resident Evil 4 Remake, making The Mercenaries a fun way to spend some time. Here’s a guide to the Mercenaries unlocks in the Resident Evil 4 Remake.
Resident Evil 4 Remake: Mercenaries Unlocks
Unlike in the original game, you don’t need to have finished Resident Evil 4’s main story to play The Mercenaries (though you probably should, just so you’ve got all the systems down pat). Instead, you just need to download the free Mercenaries DLC from your platform’s respective digital store. The Mercenaries will be added to the main menu after you install the DLC.
When you first play The Mercenaries, you’ll only have one stage and one character available. However, success with that character and in that stage will unlock more play options for you to try out. The key to success is racking up big scores, which you can do in the following ways:
- Defeat enemies, especially with headshots
- Defeat enemies in Mayhem Mode
- Use melee attacks like Leon’s kick
- Defeat enemies in rapid succession to build up a combo
- Defeat high-priority targets like Chainsaw Man
Character and Stage Unlocks
Credit: Capcom
The Mercenaries features four playable characters to use. At first, you can only use Leon, but if you can prove you’ve got the skills to master him, another character will be made available to you, with further characters unlocking with subsequent high scores.
Here’s how to unlock each character, plus a quick overview of their unique characteristics:
- Leon: Unlocked by default. Uses SG-09 R, Riot Gun, and Stingray. Mayhem Mode increases the speed and power of his attacks and enables automatic fire.
- Luis: Unlocked by getting at least an A rank with Leon on any stage (100,000 points or more). Uses Red9 and SRM1903. Mayhem Mode allows him to plant dynamite on the ground which will detonate when shot or after a set time.
- Krauser: Unlocked by getting at least an A rank with Luis on any stage. Uses Compound Bow with explosive arrows and TMP. Mayhem Mode transforms him into his monstrous form, allowing him to perform powerful combo melee attacks.
- HUNK: Unlocked by getting at least an A rank with Krauser on any stage. Uses LE 5. Mayhem Mode gives his weapon infinite ammo.
As for the stages, there are three available to play on which, similarly to the characters, are unlocked by succeeding in the stage that proceeded them. The stages and how to unlock them are:
- The Village: Unlocked by default. Populated primarily by Ganados.
- The Castle: Unlocked by clearing The Village once. Populated primarily by Cultists.
- The Island: Unlocked by clearing The Castle once. Populated primarily by Combatants.
Incidentally, those of you who played the original Resident Evil 4 may have noticed the absence of Ada Wong and Albert Wesker from the character list. Unfortunately, they are not available to unlock. However, rumors have circulated that Capcom will be releasing a Separate Ways DLC for the game starring Ada in the future, so they may be added to The Mercenaries then.
If you’ve already finished Resident Evil 4 and are still craving a bit of parasite-busting action, The Mercenaries is a fun and cathartic way to cut loose a bit, not to mention try some different strategies and playstyles.
