Hunting Every Clockwork Castellan in Resident Evil 4 Remake

Hey, fellow survivor. If you're anything like me, you probably rolled credits on the Resident Evil 4 remake and thought, 'Alright, Leon and Ashley are safe—time to move on.' But not so fast. This game is packed with side content, and one of my favorite diversions is hunting down every single Clockwork Castellan. I'm just a regular player, not a speedrunner or a completionist guru, but these little figures got their hooks into me.

These tiny collectibles are the spiritual successors to the Resident Evil 2 remake's Mr. Raccoons and the Resident Evil 3 remake's Mr. Charlie bobbleheads. They're miniature versions of Ramon Salazar—the misunderstood castellan of Castle Salazar—and they're tucked away in spots that make you question your eyesight. Once you spot one, you can destroy it with a single swipe of Leon's knife or one shot from his starting SG-09R handgun. There are 16 in total, and yes, you need to smash every last one if you want the ultimate prize.

Here's the kicker: destroying all 16 doesn't instantly hand you the reward. You unlock the Primal Knife in the Extra Content Shop for 1,000 credits. Then the real work begins. You have to upgrade it at the Merchant using Pesetas, and fully upgrading it costs a grand total of 310,000 Pesetas. The final upgrade makes it indestructible. It's weaker than Leon's other primary melee weapons, but an unbreakable knife is a beautiful thing, especially on higher difficulties.

Now, I know what you're thinking: 'Is the Primal Knife worth all that trouble?' For me, yes—but not just because of the weapon. Searching for the Castellans is a reward in itself. It makes you appreciate the remake's level and sound design in a way the main campaign doesn't force you to. You start listening for that telltale mechanical whir over the shouts of Las Plagas-infected enemies. You start looking high and low, behind crates, on ledges, in corners you'd normally sprint past. Trust me, once you start hunting these figures, you can't stop.

Take the Clockwork Castellan in Chapter 4. It brings you back to the Lakeside Settlement near where you fought Del Lago. If you're just following the critical path, you might never step into the Forest Altar—a location that also serves as the setting for the game's initial cutscene. Inside, you can find several useful items, the Clockwork Castellan, and the woman who was murdered by the Los Iluminados before Leon even arrived. That little detour adds so much texture to the world. Without the Castellans, I would have missed it completely.

The game's sound design is so good that you'll train your ears to pick out that faint ticking or mechanical rattle. It's almost like the game is whispering, 'Come find me.' And when you finally spot that smug little Salazar face, you feel a tiny rush of victory. Then you shoot it, and the hunt continues. 😄🔪

Resident Evil 4 remake is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. As of 2026, it's still one of the best action-horror games you can play, and the Clockwork Castellans are a perfect excuse to replay it. Whether you want the Primal Knife for a fresh Professional run or you just love collectible hunting, this side quest is worth every minute. So grab your SG-09R, keep your knife ready, and listen closely. Those 16 little Castellans aren't going to smash themselves. 🎯