What is... Resident Evil 2 Remake

Picture taken from wallpapersmug.com

Introduction

To think that Resident Evil 2 was getting a remake worried me because of how the game was going to turn out. Resident Evil 2 Remake was released in early 2019 on PS4, Xbox One and PC. It is a remake of the original classic RE2 but with an element of RE4 over-the-shoulder third person shooter. Why it gave me such a worry was mostly not because of its gameplay, but it's the characters design that bothered me at first. The remake redefines the classic in a newer and better form of gameplay and visual, but still retaining the original storyline. The character designs, however, are changed, Leon Scott Kennedy does not look like the Leon before. But, after trying the game itself, I am relieved to feel that Resident Evil 2 Remake successfully recreate the classic horror the game should have always felt like. Old fans will feel strange when getting their hands on this game if they have played the original RE2, but they will quickly get accustomed and eventually fall in love with the game again. Let's discuss on how this remake works well with Capcom's formula.

The game takes us back to the infamous Raccoon City where the T-virus outbreak takes place. The city is now falling apart and crawling with undeads, it sure does bring pleasant memories for old players but it introduces what the story is about for newcomers. Before we start we will be given an option to play as Leon Scott Kennedy, a rookie cop, or Claire Redfield, a college girl who's looking for her missing brother. With each character going through their own way in the same area but never actually bump into each other except for cutscenes. (Video game logic for the win 😉)

I can see that the gameplay is largely similar to Resident Evil 4 but with improved graphics, which is a very important factor that makes this game great. It retains an ample amount of action that fits perfect with its horror element, it doesn't have a fast-paced action nor does it have a slow-paced one. It stands just right in the middle for players to enjoy.


Gameplay

Leon remodeled in RE2 Remake. Picture taken from dlpng.com

Leon Kennedy and Marvin Branagh in the remake.

I started off playing with Leon mostly because he's my favorite character in Resident Evil universe. This rookie is equipped with Matilda handgun which you will mainly use throughout the game. Leon's choice of weapons will expand as you progress throughout the game, as long as you remember to obtain the weapons you stumble upon. The game is still using inventory slots and storage box for inventory management, slots can be upgraded as you find hip pouch scattered across the map. Unlike RE4 where you can spend money to upgrade your weapon, RE2 Remake provides players with weapon parts as a means to upgrade their weapon. For example in Leon's scenario, Matilda can be upgraded with custom parts for improvement.

Claire remodeled in RE2 Remake. Picture by user mintmovi3 from DeviantArt.

Claire in the remake.

On the other hand, Claire will venture the paths Leon has gone through and vice versa. She has different weaponry and stumbles upon different events that happen concurrently with Leon's scenario. Enemies will appear in different locations so it will not be so easy for players who beat the game and start the 2nd run as Claire. Several save game typewriters and storage boxes locations are different too, urging us to find alternative routes to retreat. 

Player will experience different cutscene from different character choice.

The over-the-shoulder combat made famous by RE4.

The enemies that you will encounter of course are the basic zombies, these are the human undead that will be the common type of zombies. There are monsters to be found too such as the infamous lickers, these bastards are tough and ferocious, but they are blind! So just walk past them and don’t make any noise! Infected dogs can be found roaming too and they are as annoying as they have been since the first title of the series. Basically, human zombies move slow but they will charge towards you if they are near to you. My best advice, shoot them on the leg. Save your ammo, it’s not worth to expense your bullet on them as they won’t drop any obtainable items when they’re dead. This isn’t your action-packed horror game like RE4, this is survival horror game so be smart!

Licker is as blind as bat.

The unstoppable Mr. X

What makes this game exciting in my opinion is Mr. X. I love this guy, he's the guy that keeps you on your toes everytime you successfully make progress on your objectives. Mr. X is invincible and will stop at nothing to get to you. This oversize being is a product of the Umbrella Corporation called Tyrant. He is sent to retrieve the G virus sample and to eliminate remaining survivors. He will be downed after several gunshots on his head but he will get back up and continue pursuing you.

Puzzles have always been in the RE series.

Puzzles also play as RE2 Remake major gameplay. Players will have to solve every puzzle they come across to progress the story, or to simply obtain an item. This has always been part of the game's core gameplay. Players can examine key items to understand what kind of information or what purpose the item serves as.

Conclusion

RE2 Remake graphically enhances everything that includes the gore details.

In a nutshell, Resident Evil 2 Remake redefines its classic title with a fresh new look and improved gameplay but still retains its authenticity as a Resident Evil game. As an old fan of the series, I am very satisfied from what Capcom has delivered to us and I can assure all old fans out there will not be disappointed by this product. To newcomers who has the slightest idea of what Resident Evil is, the narrative served to us has the same old recipe but served fresh. Hence, RE2 Remake warmly welcomes newcomer who wants to play the game and at the same time to jump into its lore. The characters and the voice acting bring about the most interesting storytelling feature of the game, cutscenes are backed up with impressive acting and it sure gives us the urge to keep playing and playing, wanting to know what is going to happen next and what lies behind this G-virus created by The Umbrella Corporation. To date, Resident Evil has expanded its universe with various plots and characters each with their own backstory, but personally, Leon’s story arc is my favorite. Resident Evil 4 on PS2 was my favorite RE game when I was a kid, I never finished playing the classic RE2 because my 12-year-old brain couldn’t solve a single puzzle that game had, but with my 23-year-old brain processing this remake, I am highly amazed with what this game has become.