When the Playstation first started out, one of the first games to put the system on the map was Capcom's first foray into survival horror games, Resident Evil. Aside from the earlier series Alone In The Dark, Resident Evil was the first game of its kind to really bring the survival horror genre to life, complete with various puzzles and zombie blasting action. Since RE1 managed to build up a solid fanbase, Capcom was soon called to make a sequel the following year. Initially, they had 60% of the game completed and it was supposed to be released in early 97, but the creators weren't satisfied with the way it was going, saying that "it needed a huge overhaul". So the original plans were scrapped, forcing the fans to wait longer. But come early 1998, the wait was well worth it when Capcom unleashed the new and improved sequel, THE must-own PSX game of 98.
RE2 was the first title in the series I played, and from the get-go, I was hooked. When I say that it's the best RE title to date, I'm not joking, as just about everything from the first game went through a MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT. I'm very glad that Capcom ditched their original plans so that a better sequel could be made. Now I'm not trying to turn this review into just gushing praise, but honestly there's so much to like about this game that beats out the original.
For starters, the graphics are VASTLY superior to the first-generation visuals of the previous game. The character models are much more detailed, the still-screen environments are more vibrant (but dark and pale enough to convey the game's atmosphere), and the crappy B-movie quality intro of the original is gone in place of excellent CG movies. The characters and monsters, while still somewhat blocky, are all brought to life much better now with numerous animations, such as head tracking, and physical gestures during cutscenes. Also, when your character takes damage, you can now tell how hurt they are by the way they walk. If they hold onto their side and limp on one foot, you know that they're close to death. In addition, the newer game engine allows many more creatures to be in the area at one time, like when you stumble into a room with 7 zombies.
Secondly, the sound is brought more into the front this time, with howls and screams of the monsters standing out more so than in the last game. It's especially noteworthy when something suddenly jumps through glass or breaks a wall. When this happens, you'll definitely jump out of your seat. As far as scares go, it'll certainly keep you on the edge until the end. Same thing with the musical score. Compared to the last game, the music is quite a bit more chilling and it seems to know just when something will come out after you. And most importantly, the voice acting is thankfully much better this time around. It's not perfect, but the dialogue and characters are very believable. For instance, Leon's character shows real determination, Claire is quite sympathetic yet assertive, and Chief Irons comes off as just plain creepy. These traits help distinguish the characters.
The story is also brought out very well. Just a few months after the events in the first game, Raccoon City is overtaken by the T-Virus, and nearly every citizen has been turned into a zombie. Two outsiders, a rookie cop named Leon Kennedy, and Chris Redfield's (from the first game) younger sister Claire, wander into the monster infested city. The two get split up from one another only to end up in the police station. They soon find more characters and monsters to contend with, and discover the deep secrets of the Umbrella Corporation as the game goes on.
The controls for the most part remain the same as in the first game, as do the menu options. You still have to backtrack often to "item boxes" to store items you can't hold in your limited inventory menu. This grows tedious, but oh well. I did find that the controls are a bit more responsive this time around. The characters have plenty of differentiation in gameplay, such as how Leon starts with the lighter, whereas Claire can open locks. Plus, both feature different weapon arsenals, so there are plenty of guns.
Perhaps the best aspect of the game is the alternate scenario options introduced for the first time. What this means is that if you started and beat the game as Leon, you then play through the same story through Claire's perspective, and vice versa. The alternate scenario takes place in most of the same areas as the first time, but this time you have to contend with the menacing 7-foot, trenchcoat wearing Neo Tyrant. The idea is that he's constantly stalking you and could appear at any time (this idea was perfected with the Nemesis in RE3). The scenario features might make the game feel shorter than the original, but technically you'd be beating the game 4 times to see all the different endings. There's also a few cool mini games and sidequests to unlock, so you've got plenty of replayability here.
About the only bad thing I can say about RE2 was the fact that the puzzles were a lot more simple and not very challenging compared to the others in the series. It's a minor flaw though and doesn't take much away from the game.
Overall, RE2 is an excellent addition to the series, and expands the original game to new heights. Since it's available on multiple platforms now, it's very easy to come across. NEW FANS SHOULD START HERE, OR ALSO THE GAMECUBE REMAKE, THEN MOVE ONTO THE OTHERS.
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When my cousin started talking about the Resident Evil series, I thought I should give them a try. I got this one first, since the first one was all out. I got home and put it in the Playstation. I loved the beginning part, although I was confused not having the first one. First off there are 2 discs for 2 different characters, Leon and Claire. I found out later Claire is related to Chris from the first one.The graphics are cool, and the zombies are awesome. I played the game in the dark, recommended by a friend and I thought it was as suspenseful as a real movie! The controls are a little confusing at first, but then I got used to them. The puzzles are the only really drawback in this cool game. It took me days just to figure out one puzzle. But I got the hang of it.
If you starve for a grusome game with awesome graphics, look no further than Resident Evil 2. In fact try all the Resident Evil games, I love them all!!
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These kinds of game deserves to be recognized and should never be forgotten. There isn't a person on earth that can easily turn away a game like Resident Evil 2 without having tasting it. This is what expect from a game that revolves around zombies and corporate conspiracies. From beginning to end you are hooked maybe not scared but hooked until you have completed the game. Learn your roots!!Honest reviews on Resident Evil 2
First off, this is an example from someone who didn't finish the game completly, or lost the game: A gamer, August 15, 2000 Reviewer: A 10-year old gamer from Whittier, CA USA "This is the worst game I have ever played .It is way to short and has no real reason to play becuase its so boreing .So you should not buy this game its a waste of money."Now, I had played it over and over and over; and yet I still jump at the suprises! This reviewer needs to get a life, as many of us gamers out there loved it, and the only thing that he probably didn't like was the violence and the scarryness of the game, because he is only 10. But if you know the company Capcom, get this game! And if you don't know Capcom, get the first Resident Evil before this one, it helps you know what is going on in this town! This game was one of the few in the world to be good, and I mean really good. So get it or get out because it's not a waste of money, it's a reall good use for money. And don't even think about not getting one for your kids, because they will love it to pieces! Capcom is the creator of Survival Horror and the savior of Survival Horror. So quit reading and get it already!
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When you bought a Sony PlayStation in 1998, there were three essential games to buy along with it Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil 2. Why? Because they were more than just video games, they were interactive cinematic experiences that elevated the medium.The original Resident Evil was a flawed yet fun zombie game that was heavily inspired by George Romero's zombie films. Night of the Living Dead trapped frightened survivors in a house surrounded by flesh-eating zombies, but Resident Evil trapped the zombies inside the house with you. Dawn of the Dead expanded the zombie threat to a city setting, and Resident Evil 2 follows suit.
Resident Evil 2 sees the fictional Raccoon City overtaken with the T-Virus, turning its citizens into zombies. The player assumes the roles of rookie cop Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, sister to Chris Redfield, hero of the first game. It's Leon's first day on the job, and Claire hasn't heard from her brother in months. Their paths cross as they discover that they're smack-dab in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. They head for the Raccoon City Police Station, believing it to be safe from the zombie hordes. But they couldn't be more wrong, and it's up to you to help them make it out of Raccoon City alive.
While the first game has a slow burn to it as the player gradually unocvers the truth of the Umbrella Corporation's zombie virus, Resident Evil 2 immediately drops the player into the postapocalyptic world of a zombie-infested city. immersing the player in the seemingly doomed situation. A creepy, ethereal soundtrack and horrific monsters you often hear before you see futher magnify the player's fear and sense of dread about just what terrible surprise could be awaiting them behind the next door or around the next corner.
The game possesses two different scenarios. Which character you play as and the choices you make in Scenario A affect how you play Scenario B with the other character. There are also unlockable features like special weapons, unlimited ammunition, hidden playable characters, and challenge scenarios that further increase the game's replay factor that'll keep you busy for days, if not weeks.
But the game is not without its flaws. For one, the dialogue and voice acting are still in the realm of cheesiness, but it's still a vast improvement over the original game. Controiling your character's movements is still akin to repeatedly trying to do a K-turn with a tractor-trailer. And puzzles often feel out of place for a location like a police station. However, these are minor gripes compared to the overall product's presentation. You really get a feel that you're fighting to survive throughout the course of the game, and you get a sense of accomplishment once you master the game's control scheme because it further aids your survival.
Though the graphics are dated by today's standards and despite its flaws, Resident Evil 2 still ranks as one of the best installments if not THE best installment in the Resident Evil franchise, and its one of the best games in the survival horror genre.
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