Resident Evil 4: Playing as the Mercenaries characters in the Main game Table of Contents 1: Introduction 2: The codes 2.1: Compatible cheat devices 2.2: The codes 2.3: Action Replay MAX codes 3: Using the codes 3.1: General use of the codes: they are safe! 3.2: Avoiding crashes: the 'reloading' and 'button mashing' methods 3.3: Indivdual characters: abilities and limitations 4: Concluding note and Credits 1: Introduction Initially, I must state that all credit for the codes goes to joel for posting them on the Resident Evil 4 PS2 message board; since they're cluttered amongst a series of other codes, I feel that they have been largely ignored. Thus, I created this FAQ to provide a permanent document of the codes in an easilly accessible location. This may be old news, but since there's little to no talk about it, I assumed that not many know that playing as the Mercenaries characters in the main game is possible. I'm positive that having the game crash will not directly effect the data on the Resident Evil 4 disk. I've used these codes a great deal, and had the game crash a great deal due to them, and not once has the game crashed when playing the regular game as Leon, and I've not noticed any other changes. Using these codes will not alter the data on the disk in any way. These codes do not affect your PS2, and only effect the saves that you use them on (and only for the duration of the time the code is active, unless you save the game as that character, in which case you'll still be that character when you load the save back up). I've tested these codes, and they don't have a negative effect on the PS2/game disc. It's also fun playing as these characters, and adds at least 4 more playthroughs of life to the game. The characters generally all work with Leon's animations; getting attacked by the chainsaw, catching Ashley, using Harpoons, being attacked by enemies that weren’t in Mercenaries (e.g. Novistadors, Regenerators, Dr. Salvador) etc. all work perfectly. Throughout this guide I'll describe exactly what you need to do in order to make these codes work effectively; I hope that enjoy using them. 2: The codes 2.1: Combatible cheat devices First of all, you'll need one of the following unofficial cheat codes devices: Action Replay MAX/ Code Breaker 6+/Game Shark 3+/Xploder 4+/ Code Breaker/ Game Shark/Xploder/ Action Replay 2 Version 2/ Game Shark 2 Version 2 2.2: The codes You'll need to enter the appropriate Master Code and the character code/s into your cheat device. All codes, for both NTSC and PAL, are below: Resident Evil 4 NTSC Version (Codes taken from Joel’s Code thread) (Master Code) Code Breaker 6+/Game Shark 3+/Xploder 4+ 902A6E88 00832021 (Master Code) Code Breaker/Game Shark/Xploder F02A6D5C 002A6D5F (Master Code) Action Replay 2 Version 2/Game Shark 2 Version 2 0E3C7DF2 1456E7A5 F02A6D5C 002A6D5F Play as Albert Wesker: 0042DA8A 00000005 Play as Jack Krauser: 0042DA8A 00000004 Play as Agent HUNK: 0042DA8A 00000003 Play as Ada Wong: 0042DA8A 00000002 Play as Ashley Graham: 0042DA8A 00000001 Play as Leon Scott Kennedy: 0042DA8A 00000000 Resident Evil 4 PAL Version (Codes from Joel’s Code thread) (Master Code) Code Breaker 6+/Game Shark 3+/Xploder 4+ 902A6EA8 0C0A8740 (Master Code) Code Breaker/Game Shark/Xploder F02A6EA8 002A6EAB (Master Code) Action Replay 2 Version 2/Game Shark 2 Version 2 0E3C7DF2 1456E7A5 F02A6EA8 002A6EAB Play as Albert Wesker: 0042DD0A 00000005 Play as Jack Krauser: 0042DD0A 00000004 Play as Agent HUNK: 0042DD0A 00000003 Play as Ada Wong: 0042DD0A 00000002 Play as Ashley Graham: 0042DD0A 00000001 Play as Leon Scott Kennedy: 0042DD0A 00000000 2.3: Action Replay MAX codes Due to the fact that the codes for this particular cheat device follow an entirely different format to those posted above, I have added an independent section for these codes. Resident Evil 4 NTSC version (Master Code) 6ZQJ-BJJ9-Z4U51 FMKV-1HQC-8PYN1 Play as Leon Scott Kennedy: Y1XQ-GV3A-YYVZD U4VT-NDGB-K5UVP Play as Ashley Graham: X3F1-W1HG-A406T DYQQ-NPXH-KJ08T Play as Ada Wong: UGRT-R4ZK-110EG K2Q5-2XYX-EHHA3 Play as Agent HUNK: U69V-QFVU-V84AH 3B5C-6JHU-WQ190 Play as Jack Krauser: 3X0F-ENNF-95BN7 17PQ-9QMG-8D1C2 Play as Albert Wesker: GFQX-PAF9-C3PUC 12GQ-PECV-3PGNQ Resident Evil 4 PAL version (Master code) C6T9-QTNA-MWPPR VCGR-MZVE-JCRE5 Play as Leon Scott Kennedy: TYXF-Z76Z-6U700 P8JN-W74A-VW9R2 Play as Ashley Graham: D207-P10Y-7E5V2 Q92X-DGDK-U6AF5 Play as Ada Wong: CA5Y-PM7P-J4QMA C8EB-1KAQ-BWY52 Play as Agent HUNK: JZTD-0RAW-264E1 DFJ1-6740-CBF49 Play as Jack Krauser: GVNV-KXAX-MABAF ZNQP-ZMQD-GUX08 Play as Albert Wesker: JREG-0617-2H2EW GB5Z-9HDT-6NP3A 3: Using the codes 3.1: General use of the codes: they are safe! Before loading the game up with the codes, however, there are certain things to consider: 1) Each character can use only the weapons that they have access to in Mercenaries mode (or, in Ada's case, Assignment Ada and Separate Ways). Thus, to play from the beginning of the game, you'll have to load up a clear file as Leon, purchase weapons that your chosen character can use, get to the first typewriter and save the game. You can then use this file to play as your chosen character. If you attempt to load a game in which you have a weapon equipped that isn't compatible with your character, open an inventory that contains a weapon that your character can't use, or try to talk to a Merchant whilst your inventory contains weapons that your character cannot use, THE GAME WILL CRASH. I'll provide information on each character's capabilities below. 2) The characters’ special moves don’t often work; the details on each character’s abilities are described below. However, there are a number of instances in which all of the character’s special moves work perfectly. I have recorded this occurrence in the following areas: any area that contains the Mercenaries’ mini-bosses (i.e. the Bella Sisters, Garradors or J.Js), the first section of the mines (just before the Gigante duo) any area that contains the large, armour plated Ganados who wield battle hammers (on the Island), the garbage dump (that leads into the area containing the Iron Maidens, on the Island), and the area in which Ashley drives the Bulldozer. However, DO NOT use special moves in the first area of the game (before entering Pueblo), as they often result in the Ganado in question, although considered dead, becoming stuck in the air whilst playing a sound of the Ganado breathing at a loud volume. 3) When playing as a character besides Leon, you cannot give Ashley commands (DON’T tell her to hide in dumpsters, as you won’t be able to call her back out; the exception to this is the Bella Sisters’ area, in which you can tell her to hide, retrieve the key and go through the door it unlocks, then use ‘retry from continue point’, as you’ll be put back just before you went through the door with Ashley by your side). Thus, Ashley will follow you at all times; however, to solve the puzzles in which she has to stand still, you can threaten her with a gun to make her crouch continuously, whilst you make your way to your pressure pad/switch. 4) You can only only complete Ashley's section AS ASHLEY, as the other characters are unable to use the buttons that open the gates. However, the ladder that requires the Salazar family insignia is already exposed when playing as the others; however, if you exit the area you're in serious trouble, due to the fact that the area will become sealed whilst the goat ornament is still inside. 3.2: Avoiding crashes: the 'reloading' and 'button mashing' methods When playing as a character other than Leon, the game will crash at the points of the game where you're supposed to receive a radio transmission from Hunnigan/Salazar/Saddler. However, I have found two methods of eliminating this problem during play. I shall describe these methods below. NOTE: method 2 makes the game far easier to play, although more cautious gamers may prefer method 1. Method 1: First, I'll explain the 'reloading' process; if you load up the game as, for example, Wesker, and then save the game, loading that save will result in you playing as Wesker, regardless of whether the codes are active or not. The difference is that if the codes are active, every time you load up a playable section (i.e. the main game, Separate Ways, Assignment Ada or the Mercenaries) you'll be in control of Wesker. If the codes are not active, everything will run as usual, apart from the one save where you'll still be Wesker. Thus, to use the reloading process, it's necessary to save as Wesker, use your code device to active the 'play as Leon' code, load the game back up (you'll now be Leon in all playable sections, meaning you can play as him in Assignment Ada/Separate Ways), proceed past the point in question (e.g. a radio transmission), then save as Leon and active the Wesker code again. However, this process is necessary in order to complete the game; apart from Krauser, only Leon can use the jet-ski (however, as Krauser the game will crash after the ending credits have finished). Thus, after defeating Saddler, you must reload the game as Leon, defeat Saddler again and then continue to the end of the game. It's hardly ideal, but it's necessary to finish the game. Method 2: However, the reloading method isn't necessary at all; when the radio transmission begins when playing as another character, there is a brief period of time (about 1.5 seconds) in which the game will still be working before it crashes. As Wesker, Krauser and Ada, you'll be given a shot of them with their arms outstretched by their sides whilst the camera zooms out; as HUNK, you'll see him reach for a radio in the same way as Leon. In this time, you can press SELECT to skip the transmission before it has even begun, allowing you to continue playing as your character without the game crashing. Thus, you can play as your character continuously, without the need to reload as Leon every few minutes of play; just remember to skip the transmission within 1.5 seconds, or you'll have to continue from your last save. I'd advise you to save whenever you can, in order to ensure yourself against possible crashes. 3.3: Indivdual characters: abilities and limitations I'll now provide the abilities of each of the characters (all characters can use healing items): Albert Wesker: Wesker can use the Handgun, Semi-Auto Rifle (w/out any scopes), Killer7, brown and white eggs and all forms of grenades. Wesker works very well; however, his thrust punch usually has no effect (pressing X causes the motion blur to occur, but Wesker will not perform the move). Chikyo Chagi works perfectly though, despite a few discrepancies in the enemies’ animations. Krauser: Krauser can use all forms of grenades and eggs. Due to the fact that Krauser's bow isn't available in the main game, you cannot perform any ranged attacks with Krauser. Both Krauser's arm and knee moves work; his kick, however, deals little damage. Also, note that if Ashley is next to you when you use the arm, she'll die (unless she's wearing the knight's armour).However, I have some pretty bad news in relation to Krauser; he can't jump over gaps. If you try to do so, he'll become stuck in the floor and unable to move. Thus, when playing as this character, you'll have to use Leon to complete shooting puzzles as well as jumping over gaps. HUNK: Although you may think that playing as HUNK isn’t possible, due to the lack of a Custom TMP in the main game, he’s actually the one of the most compatible characters. If you equip HUNK with a regular TMP, it’ll literally turn into a Custom TMP in his hands; viewing it in the inventory doesn’t cause any crashes. Thus, HUNK can use the TMP (WITHOUT THE STOCK, as the stock being in the inventory causes the game to crash and the weapon to become invisible in HUNK's hands) and all forms of grenades and eggs. His neckbreaker and kick moves also work almost flawlessly, with the exception of Dr. Salvador; DON’T use the neckbreaker on him, except for the first section of the mines, as he’ll become stuck in the air screaming at a very loud frequency. Ada: Ada can use the Punisher, Blacktail, TMP (no stock), Semi-Auto Rifle (with or without the scope, but no infrared scopes) and all forms of grenades and eggs. All of her moves work perfectly; however, this is the Mercenaries/Assignment Ada version of the character, so she isn't armed with a knife. However, in a bizarre twist Ada's costume seems to alternate between her Assignment Ada and Mercenaries attires; I saved in her Mercs outfit, and when I loaded the game back up she was in her AA outfit. Then, when saving and loading for a second time, her outfit turned back to her Mercs dress. I've also been informed that there are certain glitches in relation to Ada's reloading; there are no reloading animations for her Blacktail, Punisher and TMP, and she may also become deformed upon attempting to reload the Semi-auto Rifle. However, ProvShadow has discovered that if you upgrade the reload speeds of these weapons until the values are equal to those in Assignment Ada/The Mercenaries, the animations will function properly. Thus, the reloading speeds of these weapons must be as follows: Punisher: Reload speed of 1.47 seconds. Blacktail: Reload speed of 1.47 seconds. TMP: Reload speed of 1.0 seconds. Semi-auto Rifle: Reload speed of 1.90 seconds. You're free to upgrade any of these weapons' other values, but in order to ensure that you don't encounter any problems these reload speeds must be in effect. Ashley: You'll need an inventory devoid of weapons to play as Ashley; there's barely any way to kill enemies as her, unless you lure them into their own traps or repeatedly slam doors in their faces, with the exception of Del Lago. There's no real point in playing as her, unless you want to get slaughtered or see up her skirt when jumping through closed windows. However, I have some pretty bad news in relation to Ashley; she can't jump over gaps. If you try to do so, she'll become stuck in the floor and unable to move. Thus, when playing as this character, you'll have to use Leon to complete shooting puzzles as well as jumping over gaps. Below are a number of other discrepancies when playing as Ashley: 1) If you're attacked by a Dr. Salvador/Bella sister, the game will crash. 2) If a Ganado grabs you, he'll attempt to pick you up as he's do to the AI Ashley. However, it'll result in Ashley going into a pose that looks as though she's drunk for a moment or two; the game then reverts back to normal. 3) If you're caught in an explosion, she'll go through a number of positions whilst screaming 'Leon! No! Help!' before falling to the floor and jumping back to her feet. 4) If you use the 'Look' option at the start of the village, she'll scream 'Help!' whilst you use the binoculars. The villagers won't hear you, though. 5) If you jump down from a height, she'll disappear momentarily, and then reappear on the ground. 4: Concluding note I hope that you have found my guide informative and useful; I wish you luck playing as the alternate characters. I'm sure you'll have a great time! I would also like to credit the following people: Joel, for posting these codes on the Resident Evil 4 message boards. ProvShadow, for solving the problem of Ada's reloading. GameFAQs, for hosting this guide. Capcom, for the creation of this game.