RESIDENT EVIL 2 / BIOHAZARD RE:2

RESIDENT EVIL 2 (Biohazard RE2) is a new version of the classical zombie horror of 1998. It still follows the story of zombie plague flooding over Raccoon City, from two heroes’ perspective, combining survival horror and action. Download Resident Evil 2 (Biohazard RE2) for PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One; you’ll like it, no matter if you have enjoyed the original.

Graphics 5/5

The original game looked good, but the 2019 version outplays it in everything, from levels design (now really 3D) to camera style. Now it follows your character from behind, in a cinematic style, showing you the action. The zombies are terrifying, and the city being destructed looks real. The characters are designed with a reference to movie series based on the original games, but it does them good. The greatest thing is that it only requires a 3GB video card and 26GB of our storage. 

Gameplay 5/5

In the beginning you select your character: a young cop Leon or a student Claire. As the characters part, each one has a separate storyline, though the idea is the same. You need to make it to the police station through the city infested by zombies, completing some quests for your progress. Luckily, you are rich in weapons, including guns, grenades, flamethrowers, and so on.

There are bosses on each level, including the famous unkillable Tyrant that pursues you all the way. Fighting them may require using various weapons on them, with no guarantee. Along with that, you will need to solve puzzles in real environment.

You better turn off the light and connect your best speakers when playing. The game sends shivers down your spine in its best moments. Remaining familiar, it adds some new fear dimension.

Controls 5/5

You will have to learn, even if you were good at the 1998 version; though there are few really new tricks. Not that the control system is too sophisticated: there is nothing a gamepad or a PC input set cannot do with a minimum of combos. The effect of better aiming with mouse is present here as well, but some consider it rather a flaw and prefer to play with a gamepad to get more immersion. Anyway, it’s great to have a choice.

Replay Value 4/5

Along with two 10-hour campaigns (for Leon and for Claire), the game feature three difficulty levels, plus side quests. There are also 2nd Runs, becoming available after you’re through and adding more detail. The game has no multiplayer mode, and that makes it almost no fun after you’ve done; on the other hand, the developers deserve applause for not turning cult classics into another Battle Royale arena. 

The Bottom Line

That’s how an old game should be remade. Four years in production did the game good; it seems as detailed as Resident Evil games have never been, with zombie design terrifying, Raccoon City local apocalypse all around, and the characters really acting. Though the latter has never been the strength of Resident Evil, it serves the game, as it’s easier to feel like it’s you. So, despite being a zombie game, RE2 is an example of successful resurrection.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 4

Pros

Great visuals;
Classical gameplay revamped just a little;
Combination of stealth, action, and puzzle-solving;
Good replayability for single-player only;
Reasonable system requirements.

Cons

The writing is still basic;
The story is familiar to old players.