Game Rank (ゲームランク,gēmu-ranku?) in Resident Evil 4 is a feature hidden from the player. Difficulty is determined by this feature on top of the difficulty level 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.
The frequency of enemies evading or defending your attacks
increases
The HP (parasite count) of Regeneradors
gets higher
Actions that increase game rank
Action
Level of influence
Defeating enemies
★★
Hitting enemies or their equipment
★
Evading enemy attacks
★★
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
Action
Level of influence
Getting hit
★★★★
Missing with an attack
★
Hitting "continue"
★★★★★
Receiving greater damage results in a greater decrease in game rank.
