Bingo
This wouldn’t be a complete list without at least mentioning that iconic first chapter in Resident Evil 4. It totally sets the tone for the rest of the game as well, as Resi 4 is generally a pretty goofy game with funny lines.
So, after the first big confrontation in the village, a bell rings, and suddenly, no one’s interested in going after Leon anymore. Everyone drops their weapons and start walking away.
Confused, Leon steps out into the village square and asks, “Where’s everyone going? Bingo?” And then the camera zooms out to show him alone in an empty village, and we see the Resident Evil 4 title card.
It’s such a ridiculous opening line, and Leon’s smug swagger just makes it all the more memorable. I mean, just look at him. He looks so proud of himself for thinking up that line on the spot like it’s the funniest thing ever.
Chainsaw Man
As much as people like to fault Resident Evil 4 for sending the series spiraling down the path of action adventure and away from its survival horror roots, there’s no denying that this game is full of terrifying and intense moments.
The first big scary moment occurs in the village, and it revolves around the debut appearance of the creepy chainsaw man. His appearance is prefaced with the revving of the chainsaw itself, and then the gate breaks down, and this maniac with a burlap sack on his head starts sprinting towards you.
The man’s speed and ferocity is so completely and utterly intimidating, and this is definitely one of the biggest moments of the game that put first-time players on edge.
Surviving the Cabin
Resident Evil 4 thrives as an action game, and that shows in its first major defense sequence. Leon gets stuck in a cabin with Luis, and a whole horde of villagers starts making its way towards you.
You’re then tasked with barricading the windows and doors, and fighting back against the villagers, struggling to survive for as long as it takes. Luis is constantly barking orders at you, and that intense drum beat music does such a great job of keeping your heart pounding.
The best part of this whole sequence has to be the very fact that you can keep shooting Luis by accident, and if you do it enough, he decides he’s had enough of your shit and shoots Leon. Game over. Perfect.
Bitores Mendez
Move over, Saddler and Salazar. And Krauser, too. The real scary villain of Resident Evil 4 was Bitores Mendez, no question about it.
All throughout the game, Mendez is portrayed as this terrifying tower of a man who never speaks a word. He has superhuman strength, setting himself up as the unbeatable tyrant that you’d always want to run away from each time you met him.
Mendez’s physical appearance is already intimidating enough especially with that trench coat, but the proper boss fight with him is just nightmare fuel. Once you’ve beaten him up enough, Mendez removes his coat, and he turns into this gross ass skeletal, spinal centipede that will bury itself deep into your brain long after the encounter is over.
Baby’s First Regenerator
There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the single most scary moment in Resident Evil 4.
In the second half of the game, you get to a new locale, and the new military style zombie dudes don’t seem quite as freaky as the villagers anymore. Then, the game throws you a curve ball by introducing a whole new enemy type.
Enter the Regenerator.
What makes the Regenerator so terrifying is that creepy breathing sound effect that always makes you feel like its breathing right down your neck. The Regenerator’s body spazzes out in a weird, twisted way that just unsettles you. And, of course, there’s the fact that the Regenerator can’t be killed easily either.
You need a special scope to identify weak spots on its body, then shoot those off to kill it. That takes time, making every Regenerator encounter that much more intense.
Leon Being the Ultimate Alpha Male
To wrap up one of the goofiest and funniest games in the Resident Evil series, we have one of the most hilarious alpha male moments from the great Leon S. Kennedy during the ending sequence.
After Leon and Ashley finally make it off the island (on a stylish jet ski, no less), Ashley has clearly developed a bit of a crush on her savior. She flirts with him a little and suggests that they should do a little “overtime” once they get back home. And what does Leon say?
“Heh. Sorry.”
What a badass. Imagine rescuing the president’s daughter with nothing but 10 handgun bullets at the start of the game, getting hit on by her later on, and turning her down.
Sorry, Ashley, you’re not good enough for freaking Leon S. Kennedy.
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