.png)
For more than a decade, the Resident Evil franchise has grappled with its own identity. While Resident Evil 4 shifted its focus toward action, subsequent entries struggled to maintain their appeal. Resident Evil 7 represented a significant course correction, but it also felt like a radical reinvention in search of solid ground. Thankfully, Capcom appears to have rediscovered the franchise's magic. This outstanding homage to Resident Evil 2 not only reinvigorates the survival horror elements that made Resident Evil famous but also charts a promising course for its future.
During its heyday, Resident Evil 2 stood as the epitome of survival horror. While the original Resident Evil laid the groundwork, its sequel elevated the stakes with tense exploration and heart-pounding action. In 1998, the action in Resident Evil 2 was as thrilling as its atmosphere was terrifying, establishing itself as a benchmark for horror gaming on the PS One. Unfortunately, Capcom's classic has aged as gracefully as a zombie-bitten corpse.
Capcom's remake breathes new life into Raccoon City, and the shift to a third-person perspective modernizes Resident Evil's action. This remake returns to the series' slower, methodical roots. Remarkably, this deliberate pace doesn't dilute the intensity of Resident Evil's action. On the contrary, the game's combat feels more satisfying than it has in years, with intuitive controls for smooth shooting. The undead shuffle forward like eerie wind-up toys, creating an unnerving yet thrilling dynamic where precise timing is crucial to take down these brain-craving foes. A missed shot means the zombies continue their advance, making even a duo of flanking zombies a formidable challenge if you're not at your best.
Resident Evil 2's enhanced visuals contribute to a darker and more haunting atmosphere. For those who felt that Resident Evil had lost its edge, Resident Evil 2 emerges as one of the series' most intense entries. The bold colors of the original Resident Evil 2 now appear cartoonish, while the remake's ambiance exudes foreboding. Zombie skulls explode in a gruesome shower of brain matter, grotesque horrors lurk on walls and ceilings, and the station's corridors echo with ominous footsteps. Even with a steady hand, Resident Evil 2 had me jumping at shadows and constantly feeling pursued.
However, Resident Evil 2 isn't merely a remake; it feels like a fresh and innovative experience in many respects. Familiar locales within Raccoon City's police department and sprawling sewer system have been cleverly restructured to provide a fresh perspective. Environmental puzzles are more realistic, and activities like rewiring electrical grids or deciphering environmental clues for combination locks offer a welcome change of pace from the action.
One significant departure from the original game is the elimination of the zapping system. In the PlayStation original, a player's actions with one character could impact the events in a second playthrough with the other character. While the zapping system is absent, this modern update introduces a "2nd Run" mode, allowing players to complete the campaign a second time with the other character. Although these two campaigns don't interact as they did in the PlayStation version, the 2nd Run mode challenges players to navigate the station through a different path and provides new tools, like a rapid-fire revolver that consumes high-grade ammo. Leon and Claire's stories are distinct, making a second playthrough enticing. Fortunately, both playthroughs offer substantial variations, keeping the excitement alive.
Over the years, Capcom has explored various approaches to the Resident Evil series, but this approach is one that should be revisited. Resident Evil 2 not only boasts impressive visuals but also delivers a compelling gaming experience, immersing players in a series of intense encounters that are an absolute thrill. Resident Evil is, at long last, firing on all cylinders.
Final Score:
Comments