Resident Evil 2 Remake – Review

The time that passed since Resident Evil 2 was released back in 1998 has changed my life, I left school, I got a job, found love lost etc. etc. but the one constant that has always been there is my love for the Resident Evil games. I’m a sucker for a survival horror game and this is the perfect blend of horror and survival. There have been many of times whilst playing this game that I have been sweating and my heart was pumping blood like I just drank 15 red bulls.

“Don’t hesitate to kill anyone that walks, I did and look how I ended up!” Marvin Branagh

Upon first impressions on this remake visually the game is remarkable. gone are the blocky textures on characters, the poor voice acting and the abysmal gore effects. Now we have perfectly rendered character models, accurate voice acting and also so much gore to put George A. Romero to shame. Although this game is techincally a remake it isn’t exactly the same as the oringinal in terms of puzzles and and enemies. You have new puzzles and enemies pop up in different areas of the game, you also a new part of the map that you can play in which is the Orphanage. you also have a new start to the game with Leon as he investigates a gas station to find what has happened on the outskurts of Racoon City.

Capcom have done a remarkable job reinstilling the fear factor into the game, gone are the days where you’re holding unlimited ammo for guns and can drop kick enemies. Now you use what you find and hold what you can.

Both Leon and Claire hold their flashlight to illuminate dark areas which are where the fear kicks in, the game is eerie and is full of jump scares from the dogs to the lickers (who are a pain in the arse!) but the most terrifying moments come when you hear those heavy footsteps and see the hulking figure staring at you and stalking you…yes Mr X is back and wants to give you the haymaker when and wherever he can. Depending on which character you start with you will encounter him and believe me if you suffer from Scopophobia (fear of being watched) you will find Mr X horrifying.

If you played the original, the game will still play out like it did but the fun you can have getting there is second to none. The zombies aren’t instant kills now with headshots they take a lot of damage which is really annoying. you do get the odd lucky shot and their cranium explodes over the walls. The Lickers are very agile and leap at you like a jack in the box. You have got the ability to defend yourself with defensive items like frag grenades, flash grenades and knives which are new and can be used as sub-weapons but you lose them if you don’t pick them back up (the knife that is).

There are two versions you can pick up, the standard edition which retails around £44.99 and the deluxe edition which is around £52.99. The deluxe edition gives you a selection of outfits, a noir screen effect and the original soundtrack. I know not that much for £8 more but for me that original soundtrack is a blessing reaching a safe room is such a relaxing moment from the horror that you embark on.

Resident Evil 2 is one of the best remade games that I have ever played and in a time where loads of games are getting remade this is a true great time to be alive.

Resident Evil 2 was reviewed on Xbox One X and PS4. It is also available on PC. Resident Evil 2 was released on the 25th January 2019, and is a remake from the classic released in 1998 on the Playstation One. Resident Evil 2 was released by Capcom and features the second outing with the RE Engine.