Being a player in my twenties I’m one of the lucky bunch who was around to play the original Resident Evil 2 title. Okay writing this Resident Evil 2 Remake review I’m old enough, but hands up I was probably around eight when I played the PS1 version – whoops!
I’m sure the retro gamers out there will resonate with me when I say I played the game, often looking away while moving Leon as I knew a zombie was about to scare the crap outta me!
Anyway, enough about the older version of Resident Evil 2, lets get on with our Resident Evil 2 Remake review.
Resident Evil 2 Remake review – sound and graphics
I’ll apologise now but I do have to use the graphics comparison of the original to the remastered version. When you do first play the remake, the graphics really are stunning, Leon and Claire have been given complete face lifts, while the zombies along with the famed Tyrant Boss look as creepy as ever.
Rather than moving from area to area and waiting for the backgrounds to render properly, the remake graphics appear completely seamless in brilliant 3D.
I often find I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for something to happen, truly increasing the tension levels that were already apparent in the original. There’s not much in the way of music in the game, meaning rain and thunder, creaking doors and floorboards, and moans from nearby undead simply amplify the fear factor from the sound effects.
Resident Evil 2 Remake review – gameplay
Thank you Capcom! Gone are the days of up/down/left/right movements for the remaster – being able to use the analogue sticks for movements and camera panning are so much smoother. The gameplay is set over the shoulder with aiming your gun at a zombie’s head is as crisp as ever (not that it means you’ll always deal that finishing blow).
Inventory management is of as much importance of the other Resident Evil titles. If you’ve not got green herbs or first aid spray to hand, you could be in serious trouble if you receive a devastating bite from a zombie.
Much like Resident Evil 7, combining gunpowder is going to provide you with handgun ammo, while mixing herb varieties will give a form of health supplement. The game genuinely feels like you’re in a zombie survival and often you feel like you’re just barely alive with nowhere to rejoice. You’ll only have a limited carry capacity with your inventory, so you really will need to think hard at times about what to carry and what to place into storage.
It’s not too far into the campaign that you’ll have your first run in with the G Tyrant Boss, and when his heavy footsteps are nearby you’ll definitely know about it. Knowing that his encounters aren’t the last you’ll likely feel like he’s more of a pain in the ass than something you’re supposed to be terrified of. This is especially true when he interrupts you while completing a puzzle – just go away!
The number that seems to be cropping up in terms of gameplay length is around eight hours, about the same for me. This might sound a little shorter than some might of hoped but that’s not too dissimilar to Resident Evil 7 in length. Not bad for a remaster of a 1998 game.
Resident Evil 2 Remake review – much needed enhancements
Aside from the basics of graphics and gameplay, building the game from the ground up also brings some really useful; benefits to the table. Using the map as an example, once you’ve cleared a room it will change from red to blue assuming you’ve picked up all the items within the given area.
Saving the game when you find a typewriter is almost complete in the blink of an eye, while the loading screens are a huge improvement to the waiting times you had to ensure of the original.
Resident Evil 2 Remake review – our verdict
Overall, I really enjoyed being taken back to a time where I’d sit in my school uniform playing a pretty scary game for its time. The Resident Evil 2 remake certainly isn’t exactly as I remembered from the original game. There are a few additions, with the gameplay being a tad more lengthy while at the same time realising Capcom have removed a few of the traits from the original. For starters where did the chilling voice go saying ”Resident Evil 2” from the pause screen from pressing start? And where the heck did those massive spiders disappear to that haunted every arachnophobics nightmares?
The chills and thrills are still very much alive (or not) in the Resident Evil 2 Remake, and I feel Capcom has done an awesome job of this remaster. Next up though, where’s the Resident Evil 3 Remake at!? Bring on the Nemesis!
Looking for help with the Resident Evil 2 Remake? We’ve also got Resident Evil 2 Remake guide to help you survive.
Why not check out this awesome remaster for yourself? You can buy it right now on Amazon.
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