Resident Evil HD is now out in the wild, and no doubt by now many of you are experiencing one of Capcom’s finest slices of survival horror for the first time after 13 years of GameCube exclusivity. Chances are that you’ve also discovered that Resi can be quite a tough gig, especially if you’re not used to the old-school mechanics and inventory management that comes part and parcel of the survival horror legacy.
We’ve already given you five essential tips to help you on your way with Resi HD, but how about those screen-filling boss battles that will surely be causing more than a few headaches? Well, fortunately for you aspiring S.T.A.R.S. members, we’ve cobbled together this handy boss guide to show you how to fell some of Umbrella’s most fearsome bio-weapons.
Minus spoilers are found throughout this article, so be warned!
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CRIMSON HEAD
This maggot-ridden old grump can be found in the secret lair below the mansion’s graveyard, and is battled after inserting all four Death Masks into their respective slots. The Crimson Head Elder behaves very much like regular Crimsons, although he’s slightly tougher and can absorb more punishment. However, the strategy in defeating him is fairly simple, and doesn’t deviate too much from the regular kind. Simply keep on the move, dodging him as he lunges at you, and firing when he is recovering from his attack. Use the Shotgun if you are Chris, or the Grenade Launcher with explosive rounds or the Shotgun when playing as Jill. The Grenade Launcher can be used at long range allowing you to keep your distance, although if using the Shotgun, it is best recommended to aim for your opponent’s head to stagger him and inflict heavy damage. As long as you move, stop to shoot, and move again, you should come away unscathed.
GIANT SNAKE
First and foremost, your first encounter with the Giant Snake does not have to involve you spending any ammunition; your only objective should be to run past him and claim the Death Mask he’s guarding and exit asap. The second battle, however, is a fight to the death. Here, you encounter the lumbering lizard in a library, with a book shelf providing handy cover from the rest of the medium-sized arena. The snake will usually attack you before diving behind the bookcase after it’s suffered a few injuries, and repeat the process. If playing as Chris, it’s best to utilize the Magnum Revolver, which can cause considerable damage at any distance, allowing you to avoid the snake’s deadly bite. Just fire off a few shots, before retreating a bit more to widen the gap. With Jill, it’s best to use the Grenade Launcher packed with Acid Rounds, which can kill this slippery foe in just four shots, or the Magnum Revolver.
PLANT 42
This T-Virus infected plant is located in the residence, and can be battled in a number of ways. The plant is stationary, though attacks with its large vines, which can not only smack you across the room, but also secrete an acidic compound that is highly damaging. As such it’s best to keep on the run across the upper balcony, where you can have a clear view of Plant 42 and its weakness: its innards. At various intervals, the creature’s petals will open up, revealing a bulb-like interior, which must be shot at in order to damage it. If playing as Jill, you can dispatch the creature with 3-5 shots of Grenade Incendiary rounds, or around 6-7 Explosive Rounds. Be sure to shoot from an opening in the balcony, or your rounds will connect with the banister, wasting valuable ammo.
If playing as Chris, then you’re a bit more limited. The Shotgun is probably the best choice, although the Magnum Revolver is equally effective as you’ll need to get close enough for the Shotgun blasts to cause sufficient damage. Again, keep on the move, fire off a shot or two from the balcony, and repeat until the creature is dead. Alternatively, if you failed to save Richard Aiken from the Snake’s poisonous bite, you’ll control Rebecca during this segment and must concoct the V-Jolt, which must be poured on the plant’s roots in the storeroom just of the Aqua Ring. After this, you’ll regain control of Chris and must finish the creature off, which takes considerably less ammo than if you didn’t use the V-Jolt.
Note that Jill can also make the deadly compound, in which case Barry will enter the room with a Flamethrower and finish off the oversized plant without you having fired a single shot.
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BLACK TIGER
Arachnophobia reaches fever pitch in the underground tunnels, as you’ll come face to face with this eight-legged freak blocking your way from the exit. The actual battle can technically be avoided, as your only goal is to remove the webbing on the exit door; however, attempting to do this without slaying the creature is far more trouble than its worth. The Black Tiger acts like the regular spiders, although it is roughly three times the size, and its acidic spit can cover a large distance. It also lunges forward for a bodyslam-esque attack that will knock you off your feet, inflicting serious damage. Like other arachnid-based foes in the game, the Black Tiger is highly susceptible to fire-based attacks, so use either the Incendiary Grenades (Jill) or the Flamethrower (Chris). Failing that, the Magnum Revolver is your best bet at killing it. Running in circular motion around the enemy is the best way of evading its attacks, as it won’t have sufficient time to target and shoot you with acid, and its ramming attack is likely to miss the mark.
TYRANT (FIRST ENCOUNTER)
Umbrella’s ‘ultimate lifeform’ may seem slow and lumbering, but if you let him catch you, you’ll be lucky to get away without taking some serious punishment. Essentially, the Tyrant will stalk you throughout the lab area at a steady walking pace (though on his tree trunk legs, he covers a lot of distance), and attempt to box you in; don’t let that happen if you can help it. The best strategy is to simply get ahead of him, turn around and fire a shot or two, and then open the distance between yourself and your opponent and repeat. Take care to follow a specific pattern: go between the capsules in the middle of the room, past Wesker’s corpse, and back around to where the Tyrant escape from, and repeat. This way, you won’t get cornered. In terms of weapons, you’ll need to bring out the big guns: Magnum Revolver and Grenade Launcher, although if you were wise and kept the Self-defense Gun, this is the perfect time to employ it; the .22 Magnum Round contained within this diminutive weapon packs a considerable punch. Once he’s soaked up enough damage, Tyrant will collapse to the floor, ending the battle.
TYRANT (2ND ENCOUNTER)
The game’s final boss will only take place if you have fulfilled certain story criteria, i.e., if you have kept Barry or Rebecca alive while playing as Jill and Chris, respectively. If not, the Tyrant will NOT appear on the heliport, and you’ll escape without having to fight him—although the ending you get won’t be one of the best available. During this battle, it’s impossible to kill the Tyrant with the weapons you currently possess; you’ll have to wait until Brad Vickers, the Alpha Team pilot, drops the Rocket Launcher from the chopper to have a shot at destroying this tenacious bio-weapon once and for all. Not only that, but Tyrant is now considerably more brutal and faster in his attacks, and is capable of dashing at you and delivering a powerful blow that’ll knock you off your feet. He can also grasp you by the throat and prepare to skewer you in an instant kill, unless you use a defensive item on him or manage to break free from his grip by hammering at the face buttons. Tyrant on his clawless side to avoid this attack.
To speed up the battle, attack him with your Magnum Revolver or Grenade Launcher (load the latter with Acid Rounds if you have them), and once he’s taken enough damage, Brad will drop the Rocket Launcher sooner rather than later—just as well, as you’re under a 3-minute time limit. Once he does, pick it up, get a safe distance, and fire off a shot. One rocket will obliterate your adversary, though Tyrant is capable of deflecting a rocket on higher difficulty levels, forcing you to fire another shot off to finally kill him. Also, be wary of him attacking your partner character; if Tyrant should grasp Barry or Rebecca, you’ll have to fire off everything you have at the beast to prompt him to release your ally, or they’ll be gutted and left for dead.
Got any tips for beating Resident Evil’s bosses and creatures? Share them below!