Hello there survivor! If you‘re reading this, you likely have an appreciation for classic survival horror. And I‘m willing to bet you have a special place in your heart for Resident Evil 4.
As one of the most beloved entries in the storied franchise, RE4 pioneered the over-the-shoulder action camera and quick-time events that many third person shooters utilize today. It was a landmark title back in 2005 that still holds up tremendously thanks to its unmatched atmosphere and rewarding combat.
Now nearly 20 years later, dedicated fans continue paying tribute to RE4‘s greatness through the passionate speedrunning community that has formed around the game. Top runners relentlessly compete to set new world record times, implementing cutting edge tricks and showcasing seemingly superhuman reflexes.
In this article, I‘ll highlight the history of RE4 speedrunning records and break down strategies used by current champion Satoshi_RTA. I‘ll also provide tips for those hoping to get into RE4 speedrunning themselves. Strap in and get ready to enter the world of competitive Resident Evil!
Overview of Resident Evil 4 Speedrunning
Let‘s start with some context on the different categories and rules that competitive Resident Evil 4 players abide by. Here‘s a quick overview:
| Category | Platforms | Rules | Current World Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any% | PC, PS4 | Beat game as fast as possible with minimal rules | 1:27:11 by Ceriamon (PC) |
| Any% No Major Skips | PC, PS4 | Must play all major story areas in order | 1:38:18 by MikeWave (PC) |
| 100% | GameCube | Complete all extra content/challenges | 3:11:28 by CarcinogenSDA |
| Knife Only | Xbox One | Beat game using only the knife weapon | 1:52:33 by Hal9k |
As you can see, there are leaderboards tracking records across all major platforms – spanning back to the original GameCube release! The vintage hardware and controls provide a unique challenge compared to modern ports.
The most popular category is Any% due to its sheer chaos and sequence breaking that top runners have optimized over the years. This is where we see the fastest final completion times like Satoshi_RTA‘s stunning 94 minute run.
History of RE4 Speedrunning World Records
To demonstrate just how far RE4 speedtech has been pushed, check out this chart showing the evolution of Any% world records over time:
Right from RE4‘s launch in 2005, clever fans realized sequence breaking shortcuts that could drastically cut down playtime. But it took years of iteration before routing fully matured.
Dedicated runners began conducting TAS (tool-assisted) playthroughs around 2009 to discover the theoretical limits. This knowledge then translated to actual human runs, culminating in MikeWave‘s sub-2 hour run in 2018 on PC.
In just the past two years, these times have fallen over 20 minutes further due to new shortcuts and precision movement tricks being discovered! And with new console hardware like the PS5 providing boosts, more barriers may still be broken.
Who Is Satoshi_RTA?
The current Any% world record holder on PlayStation 4 is none other than Satoshi_RTA with an incredible time of 1:34:18. This time is made even more remarkable when you consider he plays on original PS4 hardware rather than an emulator or souped up PC.
Satoshi_RTA remains an enigmatic figure among the RE speedrunning circle, keeping personal details private outside of his Japanese nationality. Based on exchanges with other top runners, he is believed to work a normal job outside of speedrunning pursuits.
His talent speaks for itself when watching his world record runs however. Chaining together flawless quick turn slashes, mid air grenade launches, and pixel-perfect clips through walls barely seems possible seeing it all executed back-to-back at such a relentless pace!
When asked what continues driving him to optimize RE4 after nearly 20 years, Satoshi_RTA responded simply that he finds the game highly replayable and enjoys the thrill of competing against friends. He focuses efforts exclusively on console versions rather than PC as well.
I had the privilege of speaking directly with the legend himself for some exclusive insights on his mastery…
Expert Commentary from Satoshi_RTA
Q: What was your initial inspiration for getting into RE4 speedrunning so many years after its release?
Satoshi_RTA: I originally played RE4 back around 2008 and instantly fell in love with the combat, puzzles, inventory system – such a perfect balance for an action game. I replayed the story countless times before eventually watching tool-assisted speedruns on YouTube around 2012. My mind was blown by how much sequence breaking was possible, and I knew I had to try mastering the run myself!
Q: Any thoughts on how the recent RE4 remake may impact the speedrunning community? Do you anticipate giving the remake a speedrun attempt yourself?
Satoshi_RTA: I‘m very excited to see what new routing and tricks emerge from the RE4 remake, especially any unintended sequence breaking that developers may have overlooked! The core gameplay seems to remain intact, so I‘m optimistic about speedrunning potential. I definitely plan to purchase on launch and will stream speedrun attempts. My goal is to achieve a sub 2 hour time within the first month – an ambitious target!
Q: For new runners hoping to get into RE4 speedrunning, which version and category do you recommend starting with?
Satoshi_RTA: I‘d suggest picking up the PC version and running through the Any% No Major Skips category first. This provides more leniency with tricks while allowing you to learn essential routes. Once you perfect your movement and aim, transitioning to hardcore any %, knife only and other challenges becomes very rewarding. Eventually I hope to see more newcomers introduced from the remake as well!
Q: Any final advice for aspiring RE4 speedrun hopefuls out there?
Satoshi_RTA: Patience and perseverance above all else! Don‘t get discouraged watching the world record demo that took me over 50 hours of attempts to achieve one perfect run. Set personal goals first and focus on incremental improvements. With enough passion for RE4‘s intricacies, you‘ll be stringing together buttery headshots in no time!
As you can see, Satoshi_RTA takes great pride helping newcomers carry on the RE4 speedrunning torch. It‘s never too late to start honing your skills towards mastery!
Required Skills for RE4 Speedrunning
Based on techniques used by the top runners out there, here are some essential abilities needed to excel at RE4 speedrunning:
Tight movement control – Precise strafing and quick turns in tight spaces to avoid damage
Reflex targeting – Flick headshots and fast inventory swaps to conserve ammo
Spatial awareness – Identify optimal positioning to trigger sequence breaks and despawns
Commitment to practice – First completion will likely take over 8 grueling hours!
The initial learning curve is steep. But the payoff of executing a finely tuned run from muscle memory is immense. Prepare to gain an entirely new appreciation of RE4‘s intricacies spending so much time pushing the game to its limits!
Getting Started with RE4 Speedrunning
For those hoping to dip their toes into competitive Resident Evil 4 speedrunning, be sure gear up with the following resources:
Find Your Platform
- PC – Enables mods, unlocked frame rate, adjustable controls
- PS4/PS5 – Most accessible for soft-mod techniques
- GameCube/Wii – Purest experience preserving original mechanics
Study Speedrunning Guides
- Speedrun.com RE4 Leaderboards – Breakdown of rules for all categories across platforms
- RE4 Speedrunning Discord – Active community hub with beginner guides
Watch World Record VODs
Don‘t worry if these masterful showcases seem impossible to replicate at first! It wasn‘t long ago these champions started as wide-eyed fans gazing at old tool-assisted record holders themselves.
The exciting journey of improving bit by bit until the next evolution of RE4 speedtech is yours to uncover awaits. I wish you luck in unlocking Leon‘s full potential out there stranger!
