When Capcom announced that a Resident Evil 2 Remake was in the offing, gaming enthusiasts and skeptics waited eagerly. Skeptics were quick to dismiss it as brazen cash grab while fans of the series hoped the remake would walk in the steps of the iconic game.
Finally, on January 25, 2019, the 1998 remake version was released for Windows, PlayStation and Xbox One. And true to the heritage of Capcom, it did not disappoint. The remake received acclaim for keeping the tradition of the original plot, presentation, and gameplay alive.
What is different?
The new version gives you a new perspective on your surrounding, unlike the original game. While the 1998 game used fixed cameras and tank controls, the remake comes with "over-the-shoulder" view initially seen in Resident Evil 4. In addition, it features standard difficulty mode allowing you to save as often as you would like in safe rooms.
Unlike in the 1998 game, Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy never looked as good as they do in the remake. The update brings the grotesque graphics to life which effectively conveys fear and horror at a level you could never imagine in the older versions of the game. Working through the sewers was terrifying in 1998 when it was initially released, but the new generation consoles make you feel more immersed and intensify the fear in the zombie-infested maze.
In the tradition of Resident Evil 2, most action in the first scene occurs at the Raccoon City Police Department. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Dashing through the blood-soaked rooms and hallways of the scary building drives up your adrenaline levels while flickering tube lighting makes you hope for solid light to reveal whatever is lurking in the shadows waiting to take you down. In some instances, your diminishing supplies will have you double checking your moves. But this is Resident Evil 2, it’s a survival horror, so, you are in the right place.
Just like in the initial version, you have the option of engaging with either of the two protagonists: college student Claire or rookie cop Leon. Your choice of character will determine the variation of accessible areas, subplots, and the items you can obtain.
In the 2019 release, controls of the game have been modified to enhance your playing experience. In the 1998 version, you could not aim your gun while moving. True to the limitations of the 90s, your horror was intensified by the inability to shoot while evading your foe, but not anymore. You now have intuitive controls enhancing your interaction with the game without sacrificing gameplay and design.
Ultimately, the Resident Evil 2 remake is a great, interactive and polished game which has raised the bar on horror survival games. It proves that the core elements in the initial 1998 script were interwoven in its timeless DNA and demands that you think on your feet and deal with invincible foes decisively. The game oozes with passion, suspense, and respect. Putting it into the hands of a new generation with enhanced features is the best thing Capcom did early this year.
