There is a variety of enemy creatures in the game that have unique appearances, attacks, and behaviors. This section delves into all these details and offers combat strategies to help you in every single interaction. All creature names are official from Team Silent.
This is the first and most common creature James will encounter and is generally not much of a threat. The Wooden Plank is quite effective from the start, though a bit slow, while the Steel Pipe is the most effective melee weapon. Rush up quickly and strike these enemies before they have a chance to attack, then kick them while they're on the ground. Alternatively, you can wait just outside their spitting range for them to attack and then get a beating once they fire and miss. While the Pipe's thrust attack provides good range, the downward swing offers the most power (press X hard to perform it). The same swing for Plank is also more effective.
The handgun is the most effective way to kill them, though it depends on how much ammunition you have. Simply fire from a moderate distance and it will take about three hits. Always kick them quickly or else they might run away and/or get back up. To be honest, the shotgun is overkill, but feel free to shoot them if you have ammunition or if you're surrounded by a few of them.
The presence of a Creeper is always heard through a buzzing or cricket sound. The best strategy for dealing with them is usually to remain calm. Simply ignore them and move on, as they are generally not very aggressive and will not do their best to follow you. If they become annoying, simply pull out the handgun and fire one or two shots to kill one. Normally this will kill them, but sometimes an additional kick may be necessary. Alternatively, you can also crush them with your shoe heel if you do it at the right moment while running over them. This can be a bit difficult to do well and you may receive some bites in the process, so it is not entirely recommended.
Mannequins are truly pathetic creatures that have very little combat sense. Not only do they have one attack, but they will often be in a waiting state and will only activate when you approach them. Be careful because they seem to launch into this active state and can hit you this way without trying. During this activation stage or even after, the player can also make their way through the mannequins, generally avoiding any damage, as they often attack slowly.
Since they don't have much defense, the Wooden Plank works quite well, while the Steel Pipe will replace it as the de facto melee option once acquired. Simply hit them before they can attack and stomp them until they're dead. Otherwise, the handgun is a very effective way to deal with them, as it requires about three shots followed by a kick on Normal. The shotgun works as overkill, knocking them down in one shot if you can save ammunition, but the handgun should be sufficient at all times, unless you're going for quick kills.
These mischievous nurses are only found inside Brookhaven Hospital and on nearby streets in the central section of the game. The Bubble Heads carry steel tubes very similar to James's, so you'll want to avoid getting too close. Basically, that rules out melee weapons, but if necessary, the forward thrust and downward swing of the Steel Pipe are best. Otherwise, the handgun handles them optimally, taking them down in three shots from moderate distance on Normal. Alternatively, the shotgun will take them down in one shot and can be very useful for dealing with two or more nurses together. Always make sure to kick them once when down to kill them. Additionally, the nurses can perform friendly fire if there is another person between you two, which can be fun to witness. But be careful, bad boy, because you could be next.
Mandarins are only found beneath grated or mesh floors and appear only a handful of times in the game. You can also easily pass by them without interacting, which is the best strategy since stopping leaves you open to attack. If you want to kill a Mandarin, the shotgun works best but will still require a few shots. Approach, shoot, and the Mandarin will fall and die in the darkness below. The handgun can also work, but it's weaker and takes longer.
Aside from the boss fight, you'll only encounter four of these creatures in the entire game and only in two rooms, so they won't be a prolonged threat. While they are bulky and slow, they can deal heavy damage, so try to eliminate them as soon as possible. As soon as you hear their presence, grab your shotgun and fire. Two shots on Normal should knock them down, sometimes requiring a kick to finish them. There really is no substitute for the shotgun here: it will always be your best option. See the tutorial for the boss fight strategy.
This strange pyramid-headed creature is literally James's worst nightmare. It is completely invulnerable to all your attacks, but you can slow it down by shooting or hitting it. James encounters this beast on multiple occasions and each one is usually very different. For boss encounters and in the hospital basement, consult the strategies in the Tutorial. Otherwise, if you find yourself in any other situation, simply turn around and run in the opposite direction as you will not be able to kill it.
