digitec plays "Resident Evil 2": Bloodier, prettier and more fun
23.1.2019
Translation: machine translated
Support: Simon Balissat
More than 20 years after "Resident Evil 2" taught us to fear on the Playstation 1, we return to the police station in Racoon City. The nostalgia trip is not only much more brutal, it is also better in every respect. Simon and I take you on a zombie-slaying excursion. We start at 12.30 pm.
Remakes are a popular way of making money from nostalgia. However, remakes are often loveless rush jobs that fail to ignite the old fire. "Resident Evil 2" is a prime example of how to do it right. The game was developed from scratch and should not only delight fans of the original.
Lots of recognisability and even more innovation
As with the PS1 version from 1998, the story begins shortly after the events in the mansion in part 1. You take on the role of either Claire Redfield or Leon Kennedy. The two meet at the beginning of the game, but are separated by an accident. Claire is looking for her brother Chris, while the newly trained police officer Leon was actually just about to go on duty. Later, their paths cross again, but no longer in the same style as before.
Soon enough you'll find yourself in the iconic police station that fans of the original know all too well. Capcom wasn't content to leave the former museum as it was over 20 years ago. There are new puzzles, rooms and threats. One of the many practical innovations that set the 2019 version apart from its predecessor can be seen here for the first time. On the map, you can now see at a glance which rooms you have already visited, where something is still hidden, which keys you need for which door and even which special objects are in a room. This makes navigating extremely easy. As a result, there are hardly any interruptions in the flow of the game. However, the puzzles still require enough brain power and are extremely entertaining. However, the annoying searching and trial and error is largely eliminated.
Another new feature is that you can lock certain windows. This at least limits unexpected zombie visits a little. This is also desperately needed, as the brain-eaters are damn tough and can take a beating before they finally come to a halt.
Better and bloodier
Just as we were shocked by the first encounter with a zombie gleefully nibbling on a face in "Resident Evil 1", the petrol station scene in the latest instalment will remain in our memories. Gore fans will definitely get their money's worth here. But even away from the gory scenes, "Resident Evil 2" is visually impressive thanks to its own RE Engine. The faces of the protagonists look authentic without drifting into the Uncanny Valley. Atmospheric light and shadow effects turn the world into a constant threat or provide short breaks when it gets light. However, the star is once again the police station, which impresses with its attention to detail. I was also impressed by the level and monster design later on in the game. By switching from a fixed camera to a third-person perspective, you can also enjoy the surroundings much better.
"Resident Evil 2" is not only an excellent remake, it is also a feast for horror fans, even if it is not based on the series. I may have been creeped out more in "Resident Evil 7", but "Resident Evil 2" is more fun. You can see just how much in our Let's Play on Thursday lunchtime.
We played the Xbox One version that Capcom provided us with. The game is also available for PS4 and PC.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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