Gameplay and design
The core experience of Resident Evil 2 is built on a balance between exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Players navigate through locations like the Raccoon City Police Department, searching for keys, solving puzzles, and gathering supplies while facing an unending tide of zombies and other monsters. The game deliberately limits ammunition and healing items, forcing players to carefully consider every shot and every use of a herb. This tension from resource management is a key pillar of the survival horror genre.
In terms of controls, the game employs the tank-style movement common at the time: regardless of camera angle, pressing up moves the character in the direction they are facing, while left and right rotate them in place. This control scheme feels stable within the fixed-camera, pre-rendered backgrounds, but it takes time for players to adjust. For veteran players, this somewhat clunky control actually heightens the character's vulnerability, making every escape and turn feel fraught with tension.
The most innovative feature of this entry is the zapping system. Players can choose to play as either Leon or Claire, and their campaigns intersect in certain areas, with actions in one scenario affecting details in the other—such as whether key items are taken early or whether certain enemies are eliminated. This design encourages players to replay the game with the other character after finishing once, experiencing the same events from a different perspective, effectively providing four distinct playthroughs.
Beyond the main campaign, the game includes two separate challenge modes: The 4th Survivor and Tofu Survivor. In the former, players control special forces operative Hunk, fighting through a zombie-infested city; in the latter, they control a block of tofu with extremely limited weapons and items to complete the same route. These modes are known for their high difficulty and quirky charm, becoming popular goals for repeated play and showcasing Capcom's sense of humor amidst the horror.
The game also grades players based on their performance, from a low of E to a high of S, with criteria including completion time, number of saves, and use of first-aid sprays. To achieve an S rank, players must familiarize themselves with the layout, plan efficient routes, and avoid unnecessary combat, which laid the groundwork for speedrunning. Additionally, completing the game unlocks infinite-ammo weapons and hidden costumes, providing extra incentive for replay.
Background and release
The story of Resident Evil 2 takes place on September 29, 1998, two months after the events of the original Resident Evil. The setting is the fictional Midwestern city of Raccoon City, which has descended into chaos due to the T-virus leaked by the Umbrella Corporation, with zombies roaming the streets. Players control Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie police officer on his first day, and Claire Redfield, a college student searching for her brother Chris.
The two meet by chance at a gas station but are quickly swept up in the zombie outbreak. They take refuge in the Raccoon City Police Department, only to find it overrun as well, filled with traps, puzzles, and hidden secrets of Umbrella. During their exploration, Leon encounters the mysterious Ada Wong, while Claire befriends the infected young girl Sherry Birkin. Sherry's father, William Birkin, is the developer of the G-virus, and his desperate struggle over the virus sample is one of the root causes of the disaster.
As the story unfolds, players learn more about Umbrella's dark secrets and the nature of the T- and G-viruses. William Birkin, on the verge of death, injects himself with the G-virus, transforming into a mutating monster obsessed with spreading its genes. Leon and Claire must find a way to escape before the city is completely destroyed, all while facing interference from Umbrella's special forces. The narrative weaves character development into the tense escape, particularly the ambiguous relationship between Leon and Ada, which sets up future installments.
The game features a dual-protagonist, dual-scenario structure, with Leon's and Claire's campaigns intertwining in certain chapters. Player choices in one scenario affect details in the other, such as whether key items are taken early or whether certain enemies are eliminated. This design encourages replaying with the other character to see the same events from a different angle, effectively offering four distinct playthroughs.
The plot of Resident Evil 2 blends horror with moments of human reflection. Whether it's Ada's morally ambiguous nature or Sherry's innocence and resilience, players find warmth amidst the tension. William Birkin's tragedy highlights the conflict between scientific ethics and human greed. Together, these elements create a story that is both terrifying and compelling, making it a classic in the series.
Development
Development of Resident Evil 2 began just one month after the completion of the original Resident Evil, in early 1996. The team consisted of about 45 people, with Hideki Kamiya as director and Shinji Mikami as producer. The initial version, later referred to by fans as Resident Evil 1.5, featured a female motorcycle rider named Elza Walker as the protagonist, with the story centered around the police station. However, when development reached 60-80% completion, Mikami felt the version lacked appeal and made the bold decision to scrap it and start over.
Mikami's dissatisfaction with Resident Evil 1.5 centered on its atmosphere and character development. He believed the original game's success lay in its horror and cinematic storytelling, which the 1.5 version failed to deliver. The team then brought in writer Noboru Sugimura to rewrite the script, changing the protagonist to Claire Redfield and introducing the character Leon S. Kennedy. The new script placed greater emphasis on character interaction and narrative tension, while also adjusting enemy designs and level layouts to better fit the horror theme.
Technically, the game used a combination of pre-rendered backgrounds and real-time polygon characters. The art team first created detailed static backgrounds, then placed 3D characters within them, a technique that ensured visual fidelity while reducing hardware demands. The design of the Raccoon City Police Department was inspired by Osaka City Central Public Hall, a Western-style building that lent the game's setting a blend of grandeur and eeriness.
The music was composed by Mami Asami, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Shun Nishigaki, with one track by Naoshi Mizuta. The score skillfully blended suspense, tension, and melancholy, becoming a crucial tool for building the horror atmosphere. Additionally, the game featured numerous high-quality cutscenes; these CG sequences were visually striking for their time and further enhanced the cinematic narrative experience.
Resident Evil 2 was first released for the PlayStation in January 1998, and was later ported to Windows, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and GameCube. The N64 version, released in November 1999, compressed the content of two CDs into a single 64MB cartridge, a technical feat. This version also included unique features like a randomizer mode and 16 new 'Ex Files' documents, providing additional backstory. However, a planned Sega Saturn version was canceled in October 1998 due to technical difficulties, while Tiger Electronics released a 2.5D version for the Game.com handheld in late 1998, marking the series' first appearance on a portable system.
Reception and legacy
Resident Evil 2 received widespread critical and player acclaim upon release, earning a 93% aggregate score on GameRankings and an 89 on Metacritic for the PlayStation version. Critics praised the game's atmosphere, visuals, sound design, and the zapping system, considering it a benchmark for the survival horror genre. Some criticisms were leveled at the controls and voice acting, but these flaws did not detract from the overall positive reception.
Commercially, Resident Evil 2 was a massive success, selling over 6 million copies across all platforms, making it the best-selling Resident Evil game on the PlayStation. This achievement solidified Capcom's position in the horror genre and spurred the development of subsequent titles. The game's success also led to a range of merchandise, including comics, novels, and drama CDs, further expanding the Resident Evil universe.
Culturally, Resident Evil 2 played a significant role in popularizing the zombie genre. IGN editor Lucas Thomas once described it as a pioneer of the 'zombie outbreak in the streets' trope, influencing many later films and games. Raccoon City became a classic setting for zombie disasters, imitated by countless others. In essence, the game not only defined survival horror but also shaped the public's imagination of zombies.
Resident Evil 2's place in gaming history is widely recognized, frequently appearing on 'best games of all time' lists from outlets like IGN, Empire, and Game Informer. It is not only a favorite among series fans but also a gateway for many players into the survival horror genre. In 2019, Capcom released a full remake using the RE Engine, featuring an over-the-shoulder camera and modern controls, which was again well-received, allowing a new generation to experience the classic story.
Despite the remake's success, the original Resident Evil 2 retains a unique charm that cannot be replicated. Its fixed camera angles, tank controls, zapping system, and the pixelated graphics of its era all carry the memories of countless players. As a game from 1998, it is still played and studied by many, a testament to its forward-thinking design and enduring appeal. Few games in history have managed to both represent their era and continue to influence future generations as this one has.
