Resident Evil 2 (2019): The Review
Overview
Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake takes a survival horror classic and reimagines it with modern tech, delivering a terrifying and polished experience that honors the original while carving out its own identity. With stunning visuals, revamped controls, and a palpable sense of dread around every blood-soaked corner, it’s a standout example of how to do a remake right. While some aspects still carry a whiff of their late-90s design roots, this return to Raccoon City is tense, atmospheric, and deeply rewarding for horror fans.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
The Positives ✅
Resident Evil 2’s remake is a masterclass in updating a classic without losing its soul. Capcom took a story that’s been told countless times and gave it fresh life, particularly by expanding the roles of supporting characters like Ada Wong and Sherry Birkin, and by giving Annette Birkin more nuance. Even longtime fans will find themselves re-invested in Raccoon City’s chaos thanks to these subtle narrative tweaks. Leon and Claire remain compelling leads, and the dynamic between them and the city’s escalating horrors makes every encounter tense and memorable.
The game’s enemies are genuinely terrifying, elevating the sense of danger at every turn. Zombies no longer feel like pushovers, they can get back up after multiple shots and smash down doors to reach you. Lickers attack with terrifying agility, striking from walls or ceilings, and the relentless “Mr. X” Tyrant instills an unrelenting dread that forces players to stay on edge. These improvements make exploration feel dangerous, rewarding careful planning and split-second reactions in a way the original could only hint at.
Visually, Resident Evil 2 is stunning. From the densely detailed police station to the lab and sewers, lighting effects, textures, and character models breathe life into every corner of Raccoon City. Violence is presented with a visceral, almost cinematic punch, and the gore, while extreme, underscores the horror rather than feeling gratuitous. Whether it’s the spray of a shotgun blast or the gory aftermath of a zombie encounter, every encounter feels weighty and impactful, making survival horror feel alive in ways modern horror games rarely achieve.
The Negatives ⚠️
While the remake modernizes much of the game, it retains some archaic design choices that can frustrate. Puzzles, for instance, still follow the old-school logic that often defies reason, placing a bookcase just right to cross a gap or gathering parts for a flimsy barricade feels dated. The inventory system is also limited by design, which can occasionally slow down the flow of exploration and combat in moments when tension is high.
The game’s pacing is another mixed bag. Early chapters take a deliberately slower approach, revealing plot points and enemies gradually. While this restraint is refreshing compared to Resident Evil 6’s hyperactivity, it risks feeling too slow for players eager to dive into the horror action, leaving the opening section of the police station feeling a bit repetitive before the story picks up.
Combat, while satisfying, sometimes exposes the game’s mechanical limitations. Leon and Claire aren’t particularly agile, and heavier, action-oriented boss fights can feel frustrating as players wish their characters could move faster or dodge more responsively. Combined with old-school level design quirks, these moments can temporarily pull players out of the otherwise intense survival horror experience.
The Experience 🎮
Playing Resident Evil 2’s remake is a return to Raccoon City that balances nostalgia and modern horror mastery. The story, while largely faithful to the original, benefits from expanded character moments and subtle tweaks, making familiar encounters feel fresh and rewarding. Every hallway, room, and office is packed with tension, and the game carefully balances exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat to keep players invested in a way the original could only hint at.
The terror is heightened by Capcom’s attention to enemy design and atmosphere. From the first zombie encounter to the relentless pursuit of Mr. X, every confrontation feels dangerous. The combination of audio cues, dim lighting, and intelligent AI makes you hesitate before every door, amplifying the stakes and ensuring that each survival moment carries genuine weight.
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