You read that title right, The Mercenaries mode is back for Resident Evil Village. For the first time since Resident Evil 6 – over 8 years ago – players can dive into a fast-paced arcade battle for survival against the game’s horrors. It’s a great way to expand your time with Resident Evil Village, and also to explore a more action-focused palate cleanser after the survival horror of the main game.
Before you strap on a weapon and start blasting away, here’s what you need to know to prepare yourself for everything Resident Evil Village’s The Mercenaries can throw at you.
How to unlock Resident Evil Village’s The Mercenaries
The Mercenaries mode is included in every purchase of Resident Evil Village, meaning you won’t need to unlock it through an extra purchase or DLC.
You’ll automatically unlock this mode once you complete the main game at least once, from there you can dive right into this arcadey level-based return to the village. Finally, you’ll get your own back on all those creatures that stalked you through the main game.
What’s the goal of The Mercenaries?
Unlike the main game, The Mercenaries focuses on quicker fights over a series of levels. Your goal is to make your way to the goal zone before the timer runs out. Just touching the end will get you to the next level – if you survive – but there’s a lot to juggle before you do that, and just reaching the end won’t grant you a very good score.
Racking up kills is the best way to boost your score, and each level features a number of enemies you can take down to do so. Performing kills one after another grants you a combo bonus, sending your score into the stratosphere, so clever herding of your enemies will be necessary if you truly want to excel in The Mercenaries.
Whilst you’re doing this the time will be ticking down, you can get more time on each stage by smashing yellow orbs dotted around the map and by killing enemies. Each enemy will give you a little extra time, but it’s the orbs you really want to keep an eye out for.
What’s new in Resident Evil Village’s The Mercenaries?
There’s a couple of new features in Resident Evil Village’s The Mercenaries meaning even if you’re a Resident Evil veteran, this will be an entirely new way to play.
The main feature is in customisation. As you progress through levels you’ll be able to head to the Duke’s shop in-between rounds, letting you purchase supplies, health kits, new weapons, or level up your existing arsenal. This helps put the focus on enabling you to play the way that suits you – got a favourite weapon? Upgrade it and keep it to the end.
You’ll also spot blue orbs around the maps, these give you bonuses that you’ll keep until the end of your current game and can bring entirely new facets to the way you play. Finding one of these can make all the difference to how you approach the game, so keep your eyes peeled.
Finally, one thing to remember about this version of The Mercenaries is that it’s not a coop experience. You’ll be facing the frozen hordes solo, but that’s fine – you’ll have the Duke and a tonne of guns as company.
Now grab your weapon, head out the door, and give those creatures what for. We’re counting on you to survive Resident Evil Village’s The Mercenaries and return to tell our Community Forum your high score.
