RE4 is easily one of the best gaming investiments I've ever made, right up there with Mario Kart 64, Smash Bros. Melee and Metal Gear Solid (and the GC remake).
I've played RE through in both difficulties, gotten 5 stars on every mercenary map and unlocked every weapon, so I've got a few good tips for those just starting out.
I agree with all of your points except:
a) I don't buy the treasure maps because you can either a) remember where everything is or b) get a free faq on gamefaqs and save the money. (moreso option a for me; after playing through the game like 17x now I know where all the treasures are)
c) ah Red9 fan eh? (again I hate that gun)
f) I say buy all of 'em, I always do then again my cases get filled up quick with excess unused ammo and herbs/sprays
g) I don't bother upgrading magnums, ever. Get the free Broken Butterfly and keep it at stock is what I do on first runs. Really...magnums are a waste on bosses IMO. *spoilers in white*
Going by what I do, you don't get the BB until after killing 'teh big CHEEZ'. 😉 (Mendes) on the bosses following him, I use the free rocket on Verdugo, buy a rocket for Salazar ('cause I hate that boss fight, he's annoying). I usually rely on the Striker for U3 but will occasionally shoot him with the stock [free] BB at the end of the fight. That leaves Krauser, which is a knife fight, then Saddler, by then the Striker's fully upgraded and having the buckshot spread damage makes it easier to fight him with the Striker to hit his eyes. *end spoilers in white* save the magnum upgrade pesetas and either buy a rocket launcher in a pinch (saving money in the process) or save the pesetas for upgrading the Hand Cannon. (IMO)
k) Ganados can be kicked, suplex (and kick) is available for zealots
o) I always buy rifle scopes. don't bother with stocks though (don't buy the Red9 regardless, but didn't bother with a TMP stock 'cause that's a waste of pesetas)
q) I don't have this problem and I reload during shootouts. Keep an eye on your ammo, shoot a few enemies down, reload while others are coming. (my style)
r) I don't bother shooting regenerators with anything but the thermal scope SAR, it's a waste of ammo. except for the first two you see that you have to get by, that's a single leg shotgun blast to knock down, then run by. Get the thermal scope, come back and take out the trash.
😉
Fully upgraded, the ML is probably the most fun weapon in the game. The homing exclusive is wicked.
PRL~FTW man
🙂 infinite ammo
IMO Mine Launcher is better without the exclusive because you can aim where the darts go. Can't eye dart, butt dark, or crotch dart a ganado/zealot when you have the exclusive already; it will just home in on them and hit them dead center, chest area. I'd rather have fun maiming them.
😉
Best advice I can give [again] is use ladders to knife/knockdown enemies, use doors to separate yourself and get in free hits, and rely on pistol leg shot/knockdown into knifing...do all three of those and the game is a cinch because you'll have plenty of ammo for the harder moments and plenty of pesetas just in case you need a capacity upgrade (free ammo) or a rocket launcher for a boss.