Resident Evil 2

Information:

  • Review Date: July 10, 2021
  • Release Date: January 21, 1998
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Developer: Capcom
  • Genre: Horror

Anecdotes: Up until a few years ago, I knew nothing about the Resident Evil series, but I looked around the Internet to find out what the longest running franchise is. As I scrolled down the list, I came across Resident Evil and decided to take a closer look at the series. I looked at the series and thought I’d give it a try. The only question was where I should start. I took one look at Claire in the remake and saw how beautiful and well drawn she is and said, “I’ll start with 2.” Here, though, I’m going back to the 1998 version. Claire looks much different here, but she’s still a protagonist I enjoy playing as.

I’m not playing the whole Resident Evil series because I’m not familiar with the genre and I was unsure if I’d like it. Therefore, I’m only covering three games: 1, where it all started; 2, because that’s what I started with; and 4, because I just have to see the “popular” Ashley for myself.

Description: Umbrella is wreaking havoc on Raccoon City again. The police station is getting overrun with zombies again. Players have the option to play as either Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield. Naturally, I chose Claire because I tend to favor females. What will she find on her adventures through Raccoon City?

Positives:

  • Thankfully, Capcom started to realize that not all gamers are the same skill level, so they added a difficulty option for new players like me. I am playing the easiest mode available, but it isn’t quite a cake walk. The game offers plenty of ammunition in this mode.
  • I like how the game offers the choice of Leon or Claire. If this case, the decision is made by which disc is in the machine. I’m going with Claire because Claire is cute and I’ll be using Leon in 4.

Negatives:

  • All of the flaws from the first game are still there: tank controls, fixed cameras, and ink ribbons. I get that fixed cameras were due to technology limitations, but there is no excuse for the other two items.

Screenshots:

Claire comes face to face with a zombie.
It’s a basic rule of life: Don’t mess with the gun shop.
Claire laid this one out.
There’s nothing even remotely realistic about the layouts, but Capcom did a nice job with the details on the background graphics.
So, why do zombies have genders, and why must the “female” ones dress so much differently than the “male” ones?

Final Opinion: Horror isn’t my thing at all, but I really enjoying playing this game. Even the remake had me hooked for a bit.

My Progress: Playing as Claire, just got off a bus

Grade: A

*As an added bonus, I added some shots from the remake. I normally don’t do remakes, but I started with the remake a year or two ago. I played that first.

Here, Claire stabs a zombie, but it’s already clear how much detail and effort Capcom put into this.
I just love Claire’s look. The pony tail, the strands of hair that didn’t reach the pony tail, the red jacket, the wrinkles on the rolled up sleeve, the tool belt, the jeans…Claire means business. Here, she’s getting tips from Marvin as to where to go next.
This may be some of Capcom’s best graphical work, ever. Claire and Leon are outside in the rain. They’re both soaking wet and I can see the reflection of the light on their jackets. Claire even has rain dripping off her face. There’s also the chain link fence, which Claire is gripping with her right hand. The rain effects are amazing; there’s another look at them in the shot below.
I just wanted to shine a light on the remake. Thanks for reading.

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