One of the most craved games releases featured at E3 2018 finally dropped and Resident Evil 2 looks amazing. Originally, somewhat concerned for the life of the remake, Capcom did a great job adding even more life to this classic that was originally released back in 1998. So far Resident Evil 2 has become an even better game that feels new but retains its original core.
In full disclosure, I must confess that I have not played the original RE2 but I am very aware of the story and gameplay and feel comfortable going over this remake.
As in the original game, the plot remains the same where you play as Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield. Both storylines take place in Raccoon City and have somewhat similar overlap. As usual, a viral outbreak has caused hordes of zombies to take over which makes everything giddily terrifying. Encounters are fear-inducing in both stories, the difference is new challenges will arise and other characters will be available.
Let’s jump into what is new, so-to-speak. Heavily compared to the Resident Evil 7: Biohazard release, this game looks beyond stunning. Going back to revamp the game, Capcom used the RE Engine, the same one for Resident Evil 7. In the original game, the characters, such as Leon, was a bulky character which made him stand out compared to other models. Now, the use of scanning helped recreate Leon and Claire for more realism. Not only did they update, well, everything, the camera now is set in a third-person view over your character’s shoulder.
Other changes include the updated camera. The camera is no longer fixed and RE2 no longer focuses on tank controls. But these small changes caused a small domino effect. With the new camera, the sounds had to be changed to encompass the full space of any room and enemies could no longer be hidden like in the original. This is one of the main reasons, in my opinion, that RE2 feels like a new game even when it really isn’t.
Between fighting the gross undead animals and zombies, puzzles are still a main feature which follows along with the original release. The puzzles aren’t complicated and aren’t too easy either. Sometimes the answers seem comical but this balance of detective work and adrenaline really messes with your brain. Strange how stress works honestly but the puzzles can and will be done!
Overall, the hype for Resident Evil 2 has been worth the wait. The developers have done a great job incorporating the small changes, such as the free camera. Getting through the game feels smooth yet new, even if you’ve played before. This release will have people talking for many years, just like the original release in 1998.
9/10
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PS4
