Resident Evil 2 was a masterpiece when it was first released on the original PlayStation over 25 years ago, and it was a masterpiece when it was beautifully remade in 2019. Capcom’s remake is now on Xbox Game Pass for the first time, and it’s one of the easiest recommendations I can make. It sets the standard for a modern remake of a groundbreaking video game and helped inspire last year’s equally great game. Empty space remake.
For the horror-averse, Resident Evil 2 is not for the faint of heart. The remake is bloody and gory. The game is full of shocking moments and well-deserved jump scares. The realistic casting of shadows from a character’s flashlight has startled me more times than I’d like to admit. But as zombie games go, Resident Evil 2 is immensely enjoyable, with clever puzzles to solve and a satisfying, if slightly cheesy, story.
But don’t just play the Resident Evil 2 remaking to completion; I recommend playing it again to the end. And again. And then five more times. Resident Evil 2 It’s worth replaying until all the meat, figuratively speaking, has been picked from the bone, as subsequent playthroughs offer new challenges, powerful unlockables, and fresh perspectives on how to survive Capcom’s brand of horror.
Image: Capcom
Resident Evil 2 guarantees multiple playthroughs based on the structure. Players have the option to start the game as Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, and then, after beating them, play through a more abbreviated version of the story as the other character. These ‘Second Run’ playthroughs allow you to visit new areas, encounter different characters, and fill in gaps in the game’s story.
After beating the game at least once, I suggest the following: Play it again in less than three and a half hours to achieve an S rank, which will unlock a weapon that gives you infinite ammo. Then take Resident Evil 2 for a new twist, this time without the tension of ammo shortages and with a newfound familiarity with the game’s map and puzzles.
Revisiting the game this week, I had some fun with my Samurai Edge gun – the one with endless bullets – an unbreakable blade, and Polygon’s guide to puzzles and safe combinations in an attempt to complete an S+ ranking of RE2 in hardcore mode. That means I can only save the game three times in total, and it’s much harder to take out enemies.
Image: Capcom
But despite the thrill of playing on a higher difficulty setting, the game is played in hour-long chunks between saves RE2 into something more akin to a roguelike. I’m seeing how far I can get in this now familiar place before I have to save again (or die trying). I’m still at it, chasing the Platinum Trophy, and looking forward to another runthrough when I’m done (next I’ll be taking on the “A Small Carbon Footprint” challenge, which requires less than 14,000 steps total ).
It might be a strange taste of comfort food, playing a scary game over and over again. It seems like a repeat of a Saturday afternoon The Shawshank Redemption or The hunt for the red October on TBS; I know the beats, I’m still fascinated by the deaths and drama, but I walk away satisfied, happy to watch it again later.
When you’re done with Resident Evil 2From a story and replay perspective, there’s more. For another replayable, shorter but more challenging experience, there are multiple Survivors modes. They’re also worth playing, if only to experience the thrill of fighting zombies like a big block of tofu.