Resident Evil 2 (2019) Review

*Contains Spoilers*

Something For Fans New and Old

Resident Evil 2 has long been a staple of survival horror. Since its original release in 1998, we have witnessed the survivors of the outbreak in Raccoon City continue the good fight against Umbrella in several other titles, including Code Veronica X, Resident Evil 4, Revelations 2, and Resident Evil 6. However, as time passed, we found ourselves, time and time again, looking back on the game that set the wheels into motion. So when the Resident Evil 2 remake was announced at E3, I and many other fans across the globe were ecstatic at the opportunity to see our favorite characters’ famous fight for survival resurrected with modern technology. 

Even with my excitement for this new reimagining of one of my favorite games in the Resident Evil franchise, I was concerned Capcom might not do the unfortunate adventures of Leon and Claire justice. However, upon playing the game for the very first time, my concerns quickly faded and I was left feeling nothing but appreciation for the love and care Capcom put into this project. The developers for RE2 managed to honor the original game while crafting something fresh and exciting that players both new and old can enjoy.

As players may have noticed from the E3 announcement trailer or 30 minute “One-shot” demo, the graphics are a vast improvement from the original. The textures on everything from a pile of garbage in the sewer to the characters is highly detailed and helps immerse the player in the fight for survival. The blood and gore is also something to behold, as there are several cutscenes which reveal the gruesome aftermath of the outbreak on the officers and citizens of Raccoon City. 

The camera position has also been adjusted to an over the shoulder view instead of those pesky fixed camera angles from 20 years ago. Though the fixed angles in the original game were effective in creating tension, the remake takes a different approach by utilizing light and shadow to craft an environment that is far more terrifying than anything we’ve seen in the original. Many of the paths Leon and Claire are forced to take throughout the game are dimly lit or completely dark, requiring the player to navigate with their flashlight. If you thought the police station was spooky back in 1998, the remake takes the horror to a whole new level. 

Another key difference between the original game and the remake is the focus on character building. Throughout the game, we get to know several of the original characters better including Marvin Branagh, Ada Wong, Ben Bertolucci, Brian Irons, Sherry and Annette Birkin, and Robert Kendo. With each interaction, we get a closer look at how the outbreak impacted them, their families, and their livelihood. I feel this was an important addition to the game because it allows us to experience the Raccoon City incident in a much more personal way. We now see the hope fade from Kendo’s face as he is forced to acknowledge his daughter, Emma, isn’t going to survive or the tear-jerking moment Sherry has to say goodbye to her mother as she lay dying from her injuries.

The remake redesigned several areas from the original game which both made sense and helped keep fans on their toes. The main hall of the Raccoon City Police Station is a location fans of the original will immediately notice differences. From the location of the front desk to the addition of a double staircase leading to the 2nd floor, these changes helped improve the look and flow of the game. Changes like these can be found throughout the remake and help breathe new life into the classic. 

One of the original monsters - the Ivy from Umbrella’s underground laboratory - was also reimagined to have a more humanesque appearance and was upgraded with the ability to one hit kill if players get too close. Other monsters, such as the oversized spiders and moths from the sewer and lab are no longer included, but their absence was, in my opinion, not missed. Instead, G Adults were introduced which infest the waterways in the sewer and are very difficult to avoid.

The remake also boasts a variety of difficulties for players of any caliber and interest to enjoy. There’s Assisted for players who need a little extra help or just want to focus on the story, Standard for players who have experience playing other RE or 3rd person shooter style games, and Hardcore for players who love a challenge and want to utilize the limited number of ink ribbons to save their progress, much like the original. The range makes RE2 remake accessible to more players, which is great for the series as well as the genre.

An important element of any game is the soundtrack which, if done correctly, should seamlessly integrate with the mood and momentum of the game. The soundtrack for Resident Evil 2 remake does just that, creating and adding to the grief and tense moments Leon and Claire experience throughout their escape from Raccoon City. Much to the delight of long-time fans of the original, the 1998 soundtrack was also made available for players who can turn it on and off whenever they choose. Having played through the game with both soundtracks, I feel the original has aged surprisingly well, giving me the same chills it did 20+ years ago in a new and improved setting.

Players of the original game may also remember the incredibly frustrating delight of playing as Hunk and Tofu, and the remake made sure players could relive that struggle all over again with its inclusion of The 4th Survivor (Hunk) mode as well as not one, but five unlockable Tofu characters in The Tofu Survivor, each with a unique inventory that makes the escape from the sewers exceedingly difficult. The extra modes, while fun, are geared towards experienced players looking for a challenge.

Other content added to the game since its release include new skins for Leon and Claire which display them in all their 1998 polygon glory, and an extra DLC mode called The Ghost Survivors, where players take on several “what if” scenarios featuring various characters they have encountered throughout the game. The objective in 3 of the DLC modes, much like The 4th Survivor and Tofu Survivor, is to escape the city amidst the zombie infested streets and sewers and it provides a hearty challenge for players willing to test their survival prowess, aim, and inventory management skills. 

One major improvement to Resident Evil 2 through the remake was voice acting and character movement. While the original game was limited by the technology of the era, the remake was able to do a lot more, most noticeably through graphics and motion capture technology. Now the character’s movements are more realistic, from hand gestures and body language to very specific facial movements. The voice actors also did a wonderful job of capturing the wide range of emotions survivors of a tragedy like Raccoon City might experience, which definitely aids in player immersion and makes each character more relatable in his or her own way.

The inventory management system is very similar to that of the original game only this time, players can upgrade the size of their inventory through the use of item pouches found throughout the game. This encourages players to explore their environment and find components or codes to solve puzzles. This aspect of the game is also leveraged against the player in Hardcore mode, where a mere 3 out of 6 possible item pouches are available for players to find. For this reason, players are forced to manage their inventory more effectively and/or rely heavily on item boxes.

The remake also does a wonderful job of beefing up two of the most iconic enemies in the Resident Evil franchise, Mr. X (the Tyrant) and Dr. William Birkin. While each creature terrified players in their own way in the original, the remake kicks things up a notch. Mr. X, for instance, is introduced in the 1st run (A Scenario) this time and tirelessly pursues the player throughout the police station. His footsteps are, for many players, the fuel of nightmares and his refusal to die keeps players on edge the entire game. Dr. Birkin, who was already a dangerous foe in the original game, is made more so in the remake. With each mutation, he becomes more formidable and violent and is capable of executing insta-kill attacks if the player is not prepared to defend themselves.

Overall, the Resident Evil 2 remake is an incredible game. Much to my delight, the remake honors the original game while giving players something new and terrifying. Whether you are a fan of the original game or new to Resident Evil altogether, Resident Evil 2 is well worth the money as this is a survival horror experience you won’t soon forget.

[Lady played Resident Evil 2 (2019) on PC with a mouse and keyboard]