Resident Evil 8 - The Mercenaries Guide

Unlock The Mercenaries Mode from the Extra Shop after finishing the game once (Bonus, Extra Shop and find it there). 

You need to finish 8 stages in this mode with at least rank S to get the related trophy. This is where the game is 7/10, I strongly think that is true if you play on consoles. I had so much trouble with some stages, but I managed to do it. I will try to help as much as I can.

0:01 - Unlock Mercenaries Mode from the Extra Shop after finishing the game once.

0:25 - The Village - Rank S (630000 needed for S, my score - 670160)
6:10 - The Village Area 2
10:13 - The Village Area 3

14:20 - The Castle - Rank S (1470000 needed for S, my score - 1508240)
18:07 - The Castle Area 2
22:19 - The Castle Area 3
27:29 - The Castle Area 4

34:17 - The Factory - Rank S (1080000 needed for S, my score - 1109580)
42:23 - The Factory Area 2

48:51 - The Mad Village - Rank S (1485000 needed for S, my score - 1637980)
53:25 - The Mad Village Area 2
56:46 - The Mad Village Area 3
1:02:05 - The Mad Village Area 4
1:07:54 - The Mad Village Area 5

1:11:21 - The Village 2 - Rank SS (516000 needed for S, my score - 650140)
1:16:24 - The Village 2 Area 2
1:21:13 - The Village 2 Area 3

1:27:18 - The Castle 2 - Rank S (851000 needed for S, my score - 946795)
1:30:43 - The Castle 2 Area 2
1:36:50 - The Castle 2 Area 3 (You can get the S after this stage without even have to go through the last one)
1:43:16 - The Castle 2 Area 4

1:47:57 - The Factory 2 (545000 needed for S, my score - 755975)
1:56:12 - The Factory 2 Area 2 (You can get the S after the first stage without even have to go through the last one)

2:00:43 - The Mad Village 2 (658000 needed for S, my score - 747455)
2:06:21 - The Mad Village 2 Area 2 (You can get the S after this stage without even have to go through the last one)
2:10:06 - The Mad Village 2 Area 3
2:15:56 - The Mad Village 2 Area 4

Detailed Strategy

The Village

• 630000 needed for Rank S, my score - 670160

Sell all ammo except the Handgun ammo. Buy V61 Custom, I prefer this weapon instead of the Sniper as I suck at aiming and this strategy is easier to get towards rank S. The first challenge is the easiest, I managed to finish it on my first try without even keeping up with the Combo much and I want to show you that this is an easy one. This weapon is considered a Handgun, so for Perks always go with Combustion, Slow Motion, Executioner, or any damage raise perk that occurs.

Upgrade Power and Rate of fire, then Reload Speed (for the weapon upgrades).

The Castle

• 630000 points needed for rank S, my score - 670160

Area 1 - Sell all ammo except the Handgun ammo. Buy V61 Custom again. Make sure that you buy 1 Pipe Bomb as well, you will need it for an easier start. The first area is not bad, the worst part is the armored enemy. I used Pipe Bomb in the beginning, then you can just combo your way through.

Area 2 - Maybe the easiest area when you have this weapon. The only thing you need to know are the patterns and where to go, the rest is easy as the enemies will come in your way most of the time.

Area 3 - This area is all about the pattern. I advise you to start within the castle, then the courtyard and then just go towards the goal. There are 3 sisters on the way, but with V61 they don't stand a chance. It may take some time to memorize this one.

Area 4 - I advise you to try and kill the doll boss first, then make your way from the top of the stairs towards the garden. You will most likely lose a combo meter on your way, but don't worry much, worry about killing enemies and doing the best you can

The Factory

• 1080000 points needed for rank S, my score - 1109580

Area 1 - It's all about the combo meter here, and if you do badly in the first area, just repeat it. There is a good patterns to keep up with the combo meter, I even managed to lose it in the area with 3 sisters, but I still had enough as I did well in the second stage. Not much to say, follow this pattern I’m doing in the video. This stage is hard, but wait until you get the second one later. Also, note to leave at least 1 pipe bomb or more, for when you encounter armored enemies.

Area 2 - I bought a shotgun for this stage, mostly because it's hard to have enough bullets throughout this room, plus shotgun is great for those enemies with a drill. Once again, this is all about the pattern and how fast you are. The better you are on the first stage, the easier it gets here.

The Mad Village

• 1485000 needed for rank S, my score - 1637980

Not much to say here, first 2 stages are very straightforward. For the later stages, I bought a shotgun to preserve ammo and well, it's a good close range weapon. You can reach the score for rank S without even going through all stages, but it's easier if you do. My only advice is to kill most of the enemies - that will help you a lot.

The Village 2

• 516000 points needed for rank S, my score - 650140

This is where the real fun starts. No more sniper, no more V61 Custom. You  are either left with the Grenade Launcher strategy or Handgun + Magnum, which I prefer and how I constructed the above video. When using gun, always go for Power and Reload Speed instead of everything else. I noticed that rate of fire doesn't work very well on consoles, so fast reload is something that can save you.

Also, everything depends on the good perks, my advice is Executioner, Slow Motion, Combustion, Pistol Master, Agility and other gun power raising perks. You will need to save some Pipe Bombs for some parts in area 2, and use the Magnum on the Werewolf at the end. I sucked real hard on the last area and still managed to do it.

The Castle 2

• 851000 points needed for rank S, my score - 946795

For me personally, this was the most frustrating stage of them all. Maybe not the hardest, but definitely the most frustrating one. I died like 30 times at the beginning, I hate the armored dude. First area is a good candidate for perfect combo, and handgun + magnum were my choice once again.

Second area was too random in my case, so I decided to take different route from my first attempts on early stages of this challenge. Combining magnum and pipe bombs will be your key for winning, and remember that you can get Rank S without having to finish all stages.

The Factory 2

• 545000 points needed for rank S, my score - 755975

This room alone is what carries the platinum in this game. Good news is that you can get to rank S if you mop up the first room almost perfectly. With your handgun + some pipe bombs and mines, and of course, the Magnum, you can do it. You just need to memorize where to go, who to kill and how to keep up the combo meter. You don't even need to kill everyone, just try to be fast and to collect as much time as you can for the bonus. It took me around 3 hours of practice, after which I did the SS rank. Good luck, you will need it!

The Mad Village 2

• 658000 points needed for rank S, my score - 747455

This is yet another Handgun + Magnum stage. By doing perfectly first 2 areas you will have enough for your rank S, and I really advise you to do it like this. Everything after those stages is hard and you will run out of bullets fast. It's good that those first 2 areas are not so hard, making a perfect run not to be so difficult. Also, with good perks you will finish this in no time. I love Pipe Bombs so I always stock up on them whenever I can.