The remake of Resident Evil 4 is known for its intense horror and suspenseful gameplay. From its gripping story to the terrifying enemies, the game has everything a horror fan could ask for. Resident Evil 4 takes players through a variety of eerie and unsettling locations, each one designed to raise the hair on the back of their necks.
From dark and claustrophobic sewers to underground laboratories and creepy island facilities, the game offers a range of disturbing settings. This article examines the creepiest places in the RE4 remake, based on their atmosphere, enemies, and overall level of fear-inducing content.
10 The Castle’s Outdoor Labyrinth
The 2002 game imparted one crucial lesson to players: Resident Evil enjoys pitting protagonists against mutated dogs in verdant locations. Although the labyrinth in the 2023 remake may appear decrepit rather than eerie, the enemy dogs transform the area into one that players would loathe being lost within.
The towering bushes and shadowy backdrop create a claustrophobic ambiance, and the narrow corners evoke anxiety about what dangers may lurk beyond them. All in all, the labyrinth instills a sense of creepiness, especially given the sudden attacks from the dogs.
9 The Village Area
The expanse of the village is considerable, including not only the Village Square, where the first fight takes place, but also the Abandoned Factory, the Valley, the Chief’s Manor, and several other areas. Despite initial expectations of a run-down place infested with rats and dangerous enemies, the village proves to be even more sinister than imagined.
From the gloomy and foreboding roads Leon must traverse to the dilapidated structures and unsettling decor, the Village also features grotesque sights, including decaying food and piles of animal bones. To further exacerbate the unnerving atmosphere, the wooden bridges in many areas give way under Leon’s weight, forcing him to adapt to even more treacherous conditions.
8 The Castle Area
The Castle is a sprawling and ominous location, full of creepy rooms and dangerous enemies. The environments are varied, ranging from deserted halls to eerie libraries and everything in between. Despite the differences, each room is swarming with enemies, making for a tense and challenging experience. As Leon fights off Zealots and insects that can camouflage with the rubble, Ashley must avoid the attacks of armored knights.
The Castle also features puzzles and traps, such as the Dining Room, which add to the overall sense of danger and unease. The decor is particularly unsettling, with dim lighting and paintings that seem to follow Leon's every move.
7 Luis’ Laboratory
After Luis's death, Leon receives the key to his laboratory which contains the necessary technology and machines required to cure both Ashley and himself of the Plaga virus. However, getting to the laboratory is no easy task, as Leon must carry an incapacitated Ashley while fighting off illusions created by the virus in his own weakened state.
The laboratory, situated on the island, is a small room filled with machines and a chair used to extract the virus. Although not as creepy as other locations in the game, the medical experiments that occurred in the laboratory contribute to the eerie atmosphere, and the game's overall sense of unease.
6 The Lake Caverns
After successfully defeating the lake monster, Leon gains access to the caves by the lake, which he can visit using the boat. While on this journey, he encounters creepy symbols painted on the cave's walls and enemies lurking in the darkness.
Additionally, he must retrieve two statue heads to continue his mission of rescuing Ashley. As he removes each head, blood begins to gush out, accompanied by a disturbing gurgling sound that adds to the eerie atmosphere. The caves are also cramped and dimly lit, providing a claustrophobic experience that can be unsettling for players.
5 The Mines
There is no mines level in any horror game that is not creepy, but RE4's level exceeds all expectations. In the dark and cramped mines, Leon and Luis fight against camouflaged insects that come straight from their nests to attack. As if the insects were not enough, the cart ride is also full of suspense, as Leon must make sure that it remains on track and is not destroyed by enemies.
Deep underground, two monstrous giants await to crush Leon and Luis, and Leon must drop one of them into a lake of lava. Krauser's appearance adds to the already creepy atmosphere of the game. Not only does he kill Luis, who fans had grown attached to, but he also steals the Plaga sample, which opens up the possibility of multiple apocalyptic scenarios in the game’s world.
4 The Sewers
To reach Luis' laboratory, Leon and Ashley must navigate through the unsettling sewers, where the sight of mountains of waste is the least of their problems. The Regenerators in this section only add to the already tense atmosphere, with the first encounter taking place in a cramped and claustrophobic space. As Ashley hides in a nearby locker, Leon must maneuver around a metallic stand while avoiding the attacks of the "cuddly bastard".
The presence of another Regenerator hidden amidst the piles of waste only adds to the sense of dread and unease, with the dim lighting and overall mess contributing to the overall unpleasant environment that Leon and Ashley must endure.
3 The Island’s Specimen Storage
As stated, the Island is a chilling place for players to explore. On his journey to find Ashley, Leon must navigate through the Specimen Storage, a cramped room with black bags suspended from the ceiling. Unaware of the dangers lurking within, players must maneuver between the bags to activate a valve that opens a door, with only a limited amount of time to pass through it.
The space is small, and Leon must navigate around various piles of rubble and objects blocking his path. But the real horror awaits within the bags themselves, as they are revealed to be holding Regenerators. The combination of the dark room, claustrophobic environment, and formidable enemies make the Specimen Storage one of the most unsettling locations in the game.
2 The Subterranean Underground Laboratory
The game's darkest and creepiest places often leave players wondering what could be lurking in the shadows. The Underground Laboratory is no exception, but the main concern here is not the shadows, but the crawling creature within the vents. As Leon struggles to find a way out of the underground facility, he must confront the terrifying Verdugo.
This monstrous creature moves with incredible speed and attacks with terrifying ferocity, reminiscent of the creatures in the Alien franchise. To make matters worse, Leon must survive the encounter long enough for the elevator to reach his level while navigating the dark, icy corridors and utilizing the cryogenic system to slow down the Verdugo. The numerous vents provide plenty of opportunities for the creature to launch surprise attacks on Leon, adding to the horror and tension of the situation.
1 The Island’s Medical Facility
The Island's Medical Facility is widely regarded as one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the game. The first encounter with the intimidating Regenerator alone is enough to make players uneasy, but the facility is also unsettling due to its blackout puzzle. As Leon attempts to restore power to obtain the Keycard and rescue Ashley, he must navigate through the vast darkness of the building, all while being mindful that he's not alone.
The freezer's room, filled with bags containing Regenerators, is certainly an eerie sight, but it's the downstairs room with tubes that hold these creatures that truly send shivers down the player's spine, especially when the monsters are set free. To make matters worse, players must also defend themselves against enemies while waiting for the keycard to load, culminating in a stressful and spine-tingling experience in the Island's Medical Facility.
Resident Evil 4 Remake is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.