Unlockables have always been a key part of Resident Evil, starting right from the original game. With extras like new costumes for Chris and Jill and the Infinite Rocket Launcher, the first Resident Evil established a tradition of post-game rewards that most games in the series have continued and expanded upon. Resident Evil 7 feels like a return to that classic approach, and it includes some of the series’ best unlockables.
Playing through Resident Evil 7 once is never enough to see everything it has to offer. The game strives to keep players engaged by adding new challenges, weapons, and items that encourage replay. For example, there is a difficult new mode that completely changes the experience, along with special items that only become available after certain criteria are met. You won’t truly finish Resident Evil 7 until you’ve unlocked everything.
Updated April 8, 2026, by Ben Jessey: Interest in Resident Evil titles has surged with the recent release of Resident Evil Requiem. As a result, we’ve revisited our guide to all Resident Evil 7 unlockables and given it a refresh to better serve fans looking for all the details.
Madhouse
What is it:
Madhouse is the toughest difficulty in Resident Evil 7. It increases the difficulty significantly by reducing available resources, including ammo, which is much scarcer. Enemy behavior is more aggressive — Molded appear earlier and are faster, with more health. Jack, the boss, is more relentless, and enemy placements are completely rearranged, making previous knowledge useless. It’s like starting a new game.
How to unlock:
You can only unlock Madhouse after you beat the game for the first time. It isn’t available from the start and isn’t designed as an easy mode for beginners.
Albert-01R
What is it:
A weapon inspired by Albert Wesker’s famous Samurai Edge, the Albert-01R is a powerful handgun in Resident Evil 7. It holds three bullets and has noticeable recoil, with a slow reload speed. This weapon makes repeat playthroughs easier because, with improved handgun ammo, it can often kill enemies with a single headshot. It’s especially useful in the Madhouse difficulty.
How to unlock:
During the final fight, you’ll be given the Albert-01 to use. After completing that fight, you’ll unlock the standard Albert-01R in your item box for future runs.
Secrets of Defense
What is it:
This is a passive item that boosts Ethan’s damage reduction while blocking, making melee encounters and fights much easier. When stored in your inventory, it helps you endure more hits, which is especially helpful when facing Madhouse’s tough bosses.
How to unlock:
Earn it by completing the game on Normal difficulty. Once unlocked, it appears in your item box and remains available on subsequent playthroughs.
Essence of Defense
What is it:
Like the Secrets of Defense scroll, this item further reduces damage you take when blocking, allowing you to withstand many hits without healing. It’s essential for surviving some of the toughest fights, especially on Madhouse.
How to unlock:
You need to find and break all 20 Mr. Everywhere Bobbleheads scattered throughout the game. Your progress carries over between playthroughs, so it can be unlocked gradually.
Walking Shoes
What is it:
When stored in your inventory, these shoes increase your walking and crouching speed. While your running speed stays the same, the boost in mobility helps you complete the game faster and makes dealing with faster Molded enemies in Madhouse much easier.
How to unlock:
By finding and breaking all 20 statues linked to the Mr. Everywhere side quest, the Walking Shoes become available in your item box.
X-Ray Glasses
What is it:
These glasses reveal every item in your immediate vicinity, acting as a constant resource scanner. They help you gather resources quickly and find important items easily, which is incredibly useful in Madhouse.
How to unlock:
To get them, you must complete the game in under four hours by carefully planning your route and avoiding unnecessary detours. Once you succeed, the X-Ray Glasses appear in your item box.
Circular Saw
What is it:
A melee weapon similar to the chainsaw but more powerful and reliable. It requires close range to use, but it quickly stuns and drops enemies, making it very effective. Unlike the chainsaw, it doesn’t run out of power, so it’s a guaranteed knockout tool.
How to unlock:
Complete the main story in less than four hours. If you do, it becomes available in your inventory.
Infinite Ammo
What is it:
This item grants unlimited ammunition for all your weapons, making the game far easier by eliminating the need to scavenge for bullets.
How to unlock:
You must finish the game on Madhouse difficulty to unlock Infinite Ammo.
Dirty Coin
What is it:
An extra Antique Coin that can be used to unlock additional upgrades or weapons. It’s a special collectible item.
How to unlock:
You can only unlock the Dirty Coin by playing the Beginning Hour demo, not the main game. Completing a complex puzzle within the demo, which involves escaping rooms, finding hidden notes, and completing specific tasks, grants you the coin. After finishing the demo, it appears in your full game’s inventory.
This detailed list covers all notable unlockables in Resident Evil 7, encouraging players to replay the game and explore every challenge and reward available.
