Game Rank (RE4)

Game Rank in Resident Evil 4 is a feature hidden from the player. Difficulty is determined by this feature on top of the difficulty picked at the beginning of the game. While visually not tracked, it constantly exercises an effect on gameplay – increasing and decreasing as the player progresses through the game. It alters the hostility and strength of the enemies encountered throughout the game on top of many other features. There are also cases where a change in game rank is forced by the game when entering a specific area.

Actions that increase game rank

 * Defeating stronger enemies results in a greater increase in game rank.
 * Hitting more targets at the same time results in a greater increase in game rank; failing to hit 3-4 or more enemies at once with shotgun-type weapons decreases game rank.
 * It still counts as an evasion even when enemies attack you from a position where it is impossible for them to hit you. Shaking off attacks from Ganados or El Gigantes does not have an effect on game rank.

Actions that decrease game rank

 * Dealing greater damage results in a greater decrease in game rank.
 * Missing attacks does not count when using the Knife, Chicago Typewriter, Incendiary Grande and Flash Grenade.
 * When you hit "continue," game rank will lower starting from what you had at the time you activated the checkpoint you return to.

Changes in the number of attacks required to defeat an enemy
Figures are given based on a Combatant Ganado with 1000 HP being hit in the torso by a fully upgraded Punisher.

Changes in the damage received by the controlled character
Figures are given based on a HP of 1560 with a Hand Grenade (base damage: 1200) exploding in the immediate vicinity.


 * In the case Assignment: Ada, when fighting Krauser at the Communications tower, the values become 1320.
 * In the case of The Mercenaries, values are given in terms of Stage 3 and Stage 4. When it comes to Stage 1 and Stage 2, the values become 960.