Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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This is a full Solo playthrough of the "Hardcore" mode in Dead Ops Arcade 4: Papaback in Black. Hardcore mode differs from Normal in several meaningful ways (differences will be outlined below in the description), but to summarize: Hardcore is hard!

For less experienced players, clearing Round 80 on Hardcore by yourself is probably not going to happen. I'm sure there are some useful strategies that you can take away from this gameplay, but at the end of the day, watching and playing are two very different things for something like Hardcore. You need lots of practice. And even then, it's very easy to get humbled. I played sloppily during some of the midpoint arenas, and was even out of lives™ at some point, but stayed composed and rebounded during the final few arenas.

Also important to note: this run was completed in one sitting without using Save & Quit. Only a small number of players have cleared Round 80 in Hardcore Solo so far, and the vast majority of them used exploits, such as repeatedly Saving & Quitting (sometimes upwards of 40 times in a single match!), which not only allows for do-overs if a round goes poorly, but also affects the drop cycle of rare items, such as vehicles, upon loading back into the game. I wanted to keep this run as pure as possible, so no cheese like that here.

► Player Build:
• Fate of Firepower (Round 20)
• Fate of Divine Chalice (Round 40)
• Fury Output fate upgrade (Round 55)

► How does "Hardcore" mode differ from "Normal" in DOA4?
• No GobbleGums, SlayerMart, or Slayer arenas
• Cash Coins are replaced with Gold Treasure Bars
• Enemy movement speed starts off faster
• Increased spawn rate of special enemies
• In Co-op, life donations are not available
• More waves of ground spawners during the "Dirt Nap Surprise" Challenge Round
• More aggressive volcanic explosions during the final round of The Henge arena
• More fungus spore hazards in the Spore Jungle arena (7 instead of 5)
• Bonus Rooms are only guaranteed on 6 arenas, instead of 19 arenas (Poppy’s Pirate Plunder, A Dark Crypt, House of the Snibblesnap, Mushroom MotorX, The Nuke Yard, and The Deep Descent).
• Can randomly encounter Bonus Rooms or Arcade Machines on any round (does not have to be the third round of an arena).
• Additional “Onikuma, The Undying” Underboss Battles for player upgrades. Between Rounds 40-50: players choose a second Fate (Divine Shield or Divine Chalice). Between Rounds 55-70: players choose an upgrade for their Fate. Between Rounds 81-90: players choose a second upgrade for their Fate.
• Can earn “Serious Monkey Business” Dark Ops challenge for defeating Papaback in Hardcore. Cannot earn progress for "Flushed for Cash" Dark Ops challenge.

► Timestamps:
Loading Match - 0:00
Intro Cutscene - 0:44

Island - 1:52
Babylon - 5:39
Barrage - 10:02
Graveyard - 16:07
The Henge - 22:57

The Long Climb - 30:18

Volcano Lair - 34:54
Fort Courtyard - 42:29
Church - 53:18
Evil Garden - 1:02:57
Koi Crossing - 1:15:02
Town Square - 1:26:37
Estate Courtyard - 1:40:52
Motel - 1:52:31
Museum - 2:06:32
Nuketown - 2:23:41
Homestead - 2:42:18
Shiver River - 3:00:48
Swamp - 3:22:41
Spore Jungle - 3:42:16
Papaback's Lair - 4:00:38

Boss Fight - 4:21:28
End Cutscene - 4:26:43

► Socials:
✪ Discord Server: discord.gg/rambo
✪ DOA4 Reddit: reddit.com/r/DeadOpsArcade4
✪ TikTok: tiktok.com/@themozproject
✪ Twitch: twitch.tv/Ramb0​
✪ Twitter: https://x.com/RamboChristian