The Million Dollar Question (Well, Maybe More Like a Five Pesos One): Chicago Sweeper and the Quest for Cat Ears
Ah, Resident Evil 4. A game that chills you to the bone with Ganado hordes and village creepiness, then tickles your funny bone with Ashley's "Leon, Help!" and merchant quotes that would make Shakespeare blush. But amidst the scares and cheese, there's a burning question that has plagued players for years: Can you vanquish your enemies with a literal room-clearing shotgun and still snag those adorable cat ears?
The Allure of the Floppy Felines
Let's be honest, folks. Those cat ears are pure, unadulterated gaming gold. They turn the stoic Leon S. Kennedy into a purr-fect killing machine (sorry, I had to). Imagine blasting away a horde of chainsaw-wielding lunatics while rocking some fuzzy headgear. It's the ultimate power move, the Leon equivalent of a middle finger to the apocalypse.
But here's the rub: cat ears are a reward for beating the game on Professional difficulty, a feat that can leave even the most seasoned gamer feeling like they just wrestled a pack of rabid weasels. That's where the Chicago Sweeper comes in. This weapon, lovingly nicknamed the "room clearer," is a shotgun so powerful it makes Mr. X from Resident Evil 2 look like a toddler with a pea shooter.
The Chicago Sweeper: Friend or Foe in the Cat Ear Quest?
So, the logical conclusion is: Chicago Sweeper = Easy Professional playthrough = Cat Ears, right? Well, hold your horses, pardner. While the Chicago Sweeper can make Professional a walk in the park (or, more accurately, a romp through a Ganado graveyard), there's a catch. Using bonus weapons like the Chicago Sweeper disqualifies you from getting the cat ears.
Think of it like this: the cat ears are a badge of honor, a testament to your raw skill and grit. Sure, you could mow down everything with the Chicago Sweeper, but where's the glory in that? It's like winning a pie-eating contest by shoving the whole pie down your shirt. You might technically win, but everyone knows you cheated (and you'll probably need a trip to the hospital).
The Verdict: Cat Ears or Easy Mode?
Now, this doesn't mean you should throw away the Chicago Sweeper entirely. Think of it as a training tool. Blast through the game on a lower difficulty with the Sweeper to hone your skills, then face Professional head-on, no fancy firepower needed. That way, when you finally snag those cat ears, you'll know you earned them fair and square.
But hey, if you just gotta have those fuzzy companions no matter the cost, there's always New Game Plus. Just remember, easy mode with cat ears is a perfectly valid way to play. Just don't expect any high fives from Ada Wong (although, with those cat ears, who needs Ada Wong?).
