Summary
Resident Evil 4 Remakemasterfully blends action and survival horror, allowing players to fight back against the horrors they encounter, with a variety of tools to overcome any obstacle. While the first couple of playthroughs can be thrilling, seasoned players who have beaten the game as Leon Kennedy on every difficulty may eventually find the usual approach a bit too familiar. This is where challenge runs come into play, offering fresh ways to experience the game and keeping the excitement alive.
Resident Evil 4 Remakealready includesseveral built-in challenges for players to tackle. These include Silent Stranger (beat the game without talking to the merchant), Frugalist (don’t use any healing items), Minimalist (beat the game with only knives and handguns), and Sprinter (beat the game in under 8 hours). However, players can also invent their own custom scenarios to make each new playthrough unique, fun, and engaging. These are some of the most interesting and fun challenge runs players can try inResident Evil 4 Remake.
1Weapon Of Choice Run
Use Only One Firearm Throughout The Entire Playthrough
Resident Evil 4 Remakeoffers alarge selection of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, and submachine guns. While certain guns are best suited for specific situations, one straightforward challenge run involves using only one firearm from start to finish, never switching to another gun.
For added difficulty, players can choose not to upgrade their weapon, or, conversely, can play through the game with their favorite fully upgraded gun. Either way, players should be prepared for some tough sections, as many parts of the game are designed with the expectation that players will switch weapons for the best results.
2No Knife Run
Refrain From Using Any Knives
Theknife is a crucial tool in Leon’s arsenalinResident Evil 4 Remake, allowing for stealth kills, dealing damage in combat, and even blocking certain enemy attacks that could otherwise be fatal. That’s why the No Knife challenge is perfect for the bravest players.
Although knives are required in a few key sections, like the Krauser fights, players can still avoid using combat or non-upgradeable kitchen knives throughout the rest of the game, relying solely on firearms for damage and using dodges to evade attacks.
3Natural Healer Run
Only Eggs, Fish, Or Snakes Allowed For Healing
A variation of the more difficult Frugalist run, the Natural Healer challenge tests players' survival skills in a unique way. In this run, Leon can’t use herbs or first aid sprays to heal. Instead, he must rely solely on nature’s bounty: eggs, fish, and vipers. It’s truly a carnivorous challenge for our resourceful agent.
This run can be particularly tough in the early stages when fish and vipers aren’t as easy to farm. Things get easier later, so for added difficulty, players might want to avoid upgrading their attaché case to limit how many natural healing items they can carry for later.
4Gun Game Run
Use Only One Weapon Per Chapter And Then Sell It
Inspired by the Gun Game mode inCall of Duty: Black Ops, this challenge offers a fresh and exciting way to experienceResident Evil 4 Remake. The rules are simple: players must use only one weapon per chapter. At the beginning of each new chapter, they must sell that weapon and switch to a new one.Since there are 16 chaptersand 16 weapons in the game (excluding deluxe or bonus weapons), everything lines up perfectly for this run.
The best part of the Gun Game run is how unpredictable it becomes, creating unexpected challenges based on the weapon players are forced to use. It’s a great way to appreciate every weapon’s unique strengths, and it keeps the gameplay feeling fresh and exciting throughout.
5No Storage Run
Do Not Interact With The Storage Box Throughout The Playthrough
A No Storage run inResident Evil 4 Remakeis a relatively straightforward challenge. While these runs are popular inResident Evil 2andResident Evil 3remakes due to their limited inventory space,RE4 Remakeoffers amore generous inventory from the start. However, completely avoiding the storage box (available at Typewriters) can still add a strategic layer, forcing players to rethink how they manage their resources throughout the game.
The most challenging aspect of this run is deciding which weapons and attachments to keep or sell, as there’s no way to store valuable items for later use. It adds a layer of strategy and requires a solid understanding of the game’s progression to make the most of what Leon can carry.
6No Crafting Run Or No Ammo Pickups Run
Refrain From Crafting Ammo, Or Rely Only On Ammo Crafting Without Pickups
The No Crafting and No Ammo Pickups runs are two mirrored challenge options. In the No Crafting run, players must avoid the crafting system entirely (or at least avoid crafting any ammo), relying solely on what they can find throughout the game. Alternatively, the No Ammo Pickups run challenges players to ignore all ammo pickups and instead use only what they can craft from obtained materials.
Both runs introduce a level of unpredictability, as players must rely on luck to get the right drops. While the random nature of resource drops can make these runs tricky, they offer a fresh and exciting way to tackle the game.
7No Charm Run
Refrain From Using Any Attache Case Charms With Bonuses
A relatively straightforward challenge inResident Evil 4 Remakeis the Charmless playthrough, where players are forbidden from equipping any bonus charms on their attaché case. While thesecharms provide helpful advantages, avoiding them completely can make things much tougher, especially on higher difficulties.
Though this run might not be game-changing on its own, it pairs well with almost any other custom challenge, allowing players to create their own set of rules and make Leon’s journey even harder. For example, it works particularly well with the No Ammo Pickups run, which restricts players to using only the ammo they can craft, as many charms increase ammo output via crafting.
8Demolisher Run
Rely Only On Explosives To Kill Enemies
For a more extreme challenge, players can attempt the Explosives-Only run, where the goal is to use only explosives to defeat enemies — excluding the Infinite Rocket Launcher. This means relying solely on different types of grenades and the Bolt Thrower’s attachable mines to deal damage.
The toughest aspect of this run is avoiding friendly fire when Leon’s companions Ashley or Luis are present, especially in large enemy encounters. For an added layer of flexibility, players may choose to allow the use of knives, though that’s entirely optional.
9No Kill Run
Refrain From Killing Any Enemies Other Than Progression Blockers
One of the most difficult challenge runs inResident Evil 4 Remakeis the No Kill Run, where players must avoid killing any enemies except for those that block progress and are mandatory to defeat. Given how many optional enemies are scattered throughout the game, this challenge is not for the faint of heart.
To succeed, players need in-depth knowledge of each chapter to plan their moves carefully and know exactly which enemies must be dealt with to proceed. Expect intense, high-pressure segments with lots of chases and evading enemies. Most ammo should be traded for healing items or armor to maximize survival chances during this demanding run.
10Perfect Accuracy Run
Achieve 100% Accuracy Throughout the Entire Playthrough
For true perfectionists, the Perfect Accuracy run challenges players to complete the game with 100% accuracy — meaning no missed shots for the entire playthrough. This run requires patience, sharp reflexes, and impeccable aim, making it one of the toughest, yet most rewarding, challenges.
In this run, players must channel Leon S. Kennedy’s professionalism, shooting only when absolutely sure they’ll hit their target. It’s a true test of skill, requiring mastery of both precision and self-discipline.
