Platforms: PlayStation 4 (reviewed), Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
It’s been 21 years since Resident Evil 2 released on the original PlayStation and to some, it’s regarded as the pinnacle of the series. Regardless of your feelings on the survival horror classic, it’s safe to say that most people would agree that the Resident Evil franchise has had some major ups and downs since 1998. We saw the amazing Resident Evil 4 change the series in drastic, yet positive ways, then had the series take a serious stumble when Resident Evil 6 tried to incorporate a few too many changes. There were games like Operation Raccoon City and Umbrella Corps that are probably best not even discussed. Finally, back in 2017 Resident Evil had a return to form when the seventh entry was released to much acclaim. Now, it has all come full circle with Resident Evil 2 getting a complete remake, but where does it fall on this spectrum of quality? Let’s find out.
If you’re unfamiliar with Resident Evil 2, it follows the stories of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Leon is a rookie cop arriving for his new job at the Raccoon City Police Department and Claire is trying to find her brother Chris, a veteran of the RPD. They both arrive in Raccoon City to find it overrun by the blood-thirsty living dead and eventually join forces only to quickly be separated again, each looking for answers and a way out. This is where one of Resident Evil 2‘s best features comes into play. You’ll be able to play through the game as either Leon or Claire and then do a playthrough with the other that is completely unique from the prior one. In total, you’ll be able to play through four different scenarios, as Leon and Claire both have A and B versions of their stories.
The ability to play through the game four different times not only adds to replayability but helps pad out the time you’ll spend with Resident Evil 2. It’s a rather short experience otherwise. If you chose to simply run through one scenario, you’re looking at around a six to eight hour game. This may be a turn off to some, but the length and, more importantly, pacing is perfect for Resident Evil 2. You’ll also be able to unlock a couple other game modes after completing both an A and B scenario. Plus there’s plenty of other ways to experience the game like going for the best rank in each scenario, speedruns, no heal runs, no item box runs, and more. So if you end up enjoying the game, there will be plenty to keep you coming back if you so desire.
There are also three different difficulty settings to choose from that may help you add some time to your experience if you don’t opt to go for the hardest one from the outset. After giving each difficulty a try, I can say that each make the game feel like a completely different experience. If you’re looking for an easy run, Assisted Mode will make enemies weaker and let you utilize auto-aim. Ammo is also plentiful, so, by the end of the game, you’ll probably feel like an unstoppable badass. Standard Mode, is, well, pretty standard, but still has some intense moments. Hardcore Mode is where things really get wild. In this mode enemies will deal more damage, you’ll get fewer inventory upgrades, and you’ll need an ink ribbon to save your game (no auto-saves!). Old school fans of the series might be more at home with Hardcore, but this variety of difficulty settings makes Resident Evil 2 a game that almost anyone can pick up and complete.
If you played Resident Evil 7, then the way Resident Evil 2 looks should feel familiar. Both games are made in the same engine, so the user interface is nearly identical. That means RE2 is absolutely gorgeous to look at. Seeing memorable areas and gruesome enemies reimagined in this new engine really was a treat . The biggest change from RE7 is that RE2 makes the switch from a first-person perspective back to third-person. In a lot of ways, this makes gameplay feel very similar to Resident Evil 4. RE2 really is a perfect mix of the original RE2 story, RE4‘s gameplay, and RE7‘s look.
The third-person combat feels similar to most other third-person shooters. It controls great and I never had an issue with it from a mechanical standpoint. There’s nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary about it, but it always feels solid. Each scenario offers up a variety of weaponry that you can find (some can even be upgraded) and they are all satisfying to use. Leon and Claire each have access to different weapons, which makes their separate playthroughs feel that much more different. On top of your standard weapons, there are also a few defensive items such as knives and grenades. These will allow you to get out of sticky situations like being grabbed or mobbed by a group of zombies.
Exploration and puzzle-solving are the other gameplay aspects most important to the Resident Evil series and this remake gets them right. The puzzles aren’t the hardest to solve by any means, but when you’re being hunted by relentless creatures hellbent on killing you, even the easiest puzzle can be stressful. Exploring each area of the game is something I looked forward to as every location had a unique aesthetic and was filled with surprises. Sometimes you’ll find much needed health or ammo, sometimes you’ll find a new weapon/weapon upgrade, and sometimes you might even find a nice little Easter egg if you’re a fan of the series.
From a horror standpoint, Resident Evil 2 isn’t the scariest game I’ve ever played, but it does create tense situations very well, especially on the Hardcore difficulty. Finding yourself low on health and ammo just hoping to make it to the next typewriter so you can save can lead to some intense encounters. If you’re not usually into horror, I’d say RE2 is game you could still get through. There are some jump scares and plenty of gore, but it’s nothing that is going to psychologically scar you.
One thing for fans of the original game that I feel is worth mentioning is just how similar the remake is. Without giving too much away I’ll just say that there are plenty of nods to the original that fans will love including returning enemies and characters. But there’s also plenty of new stuff that make this a must play for any fan of the series. This feels much more like a reimagining of Resident Evil 2 than a remake, which makes for a quality experience that will always keep you on your toes.
I’d be hard-pressed to come up with any major issues I had with Resident Evil 2, but there are a few things that might be worth mentioning. The first is that the zombies are absolute bullet sponges. They don’t adhere to the normal rules of zombies as you are far better off taking out their legs than aiming for the head. I’ve seen some zombies take upwards of 7 or 8 shots straight in the brain and still keep coming. Not to mention that you’ll find plenty of zombies that you thought were certainly dead up and moving around the next time you visit an area. This can make your already finite resources even more limited if you’re dumping tons of ammo into these seemingly invincible creatures.
Enemy hitboxes and their ability to basically magnetize to your character can also be a bit of an annoyance sometimes. There were plenty of times I felt I juked a zombie only for it to grab me with its Stretch Armstrong arms and take a bite out of me. This issue is most noticeable in boss fights as it’s nearly impossible to avoid some attacks if you aren’t perfectly positioned. Some sort of dodge would have been a welcomed addition, but I guess that wouldn’t necessarily be in the vein of old school Resident Evil. These can result in frustration, especially on harder difficulties, but are just minor issues.
If you’re looking here for my final thoughts on Resident Evil 2, well, it’s amazing. It’s the best survival horror game I’ve played since Dead Space. It’s a perfect blend of Resident Evil 4‘s gameplay, Resident Evil 7‘s aesthetic, and Resident Evil 2‘s story. It’s familiar enough that it doesn’t lose its identity as RE2, but offers up enough new elements that old school fans will be surprised at times. It’s also a great place for newcomers to jump into the series thanks to its variety of difficulty settings and a backstory that doesn’t need much explaining. Resident Evil 2 just might be my favorite game in the series and that’s saying a lot because Resident Evil 4 has long been one of my favorite games of all-time. Only time will tell how these feelings hold up, but right now I’d go as far as saying that Resident Evil 2 is a must play.
