A bizarre incident occurred on the outskirts of an American suburb called Raccoon City. A grisly occurrence in the secluded Spencer mansion in the Arklay Mountains quickly transformed the urban metropolis into a living nightmare for both residents and visitors alike. Now, 20 years after the original release of Resident Evil 2, it’s time to return to Raccoon City. The remake of Resident Evil 2 is coming to PlayStation 4 in January 2019!
A History of Survival Horror
The original 1998 PlayStation game is fondly remembered by people all over the world. Iterating on the groundbreaking survival horror ideas introduced in the original Resident Evil, the sequel brought the terrifying zombies, strange bio organic weapons (or B.O.W.s), and dangerous secrets of the Spencer Mansion to Raccoon City as a horrifying virus infected the populace, turning the vibrant metropolis into a desolate wasteland of the undead. Thanks to the power of the PlayStation, a world of horror awaited players who dared to brave the streets of the decaying city and explore the depths of the Raccoon City Police Department and beyond in a desperate bid to escape.
Simply put, without PlayStation, there wouldn’t be Resident Evil! The original 1998 release on PlayStation went on to become one of Capcom’s best-selling games of all time, and there are a lot of memories wrapped up in what makes the game so special: Frantically navigating the streets to get to the R.P.D., a hulking monstrosity smashing through walls, a first encounter with one of the game’s horrifying ‘Licker’ enemies, or just a moment to exhale as the calming safe room music starts to play. To fans around the world, this is where their journey with Resident Evil and survival horror truly began.
Then and Now
While Resident Evil 2 was initially announced as a remake, there’s a lot more going on here than simply recreating the original game. The powerful RE Engine that was used to bring Resident Evil 7 biohazard to terrifying life is also now powering Resident Evil 2. Rain-soaked streets are lit by the faintest street lights, highlighting the damp clothing and skin of the living and the undead alike, while the grotesque zombies that roam the roads and the moonlit corridors of the R.P.D. show disturbingly lifelike decay and rot on their bodies. Every detail about the city and its inhabitants has been rebuilt from the ground up with photorealistic graphics. Resident Evil has never looked better.
If you know the classic Raccoon City Police Department like the back of your hand, some parts of the station might look familiar, but don’t let the similarities fool you. While many of the locations may look similar in design to the one in the original game, this museum-turned-police station is full of surprises for both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike. Various puzzles to solve and completely new areas to explore await those who dare to set foot inside the expansive building. With a new over-the-shoulder camera offering a different perspective on the cramped passageways and massive foyer, you’ll need to keep your wits about you if you want to survive the nightmares that lurk around every corner.
Fans might remember that a particularly close-range shotgun blast in the original game could literally blast zombies in half, and that visceral, desperate feeling of combat is still present. Claustrophobic corridors will keep you on your toes, and with each shot that connects, zombies will show damage in real-time, adding a new level of gore to combat. Combined with an over-the-shoulder camera to keep you immersed in the world and limited spaces to hold your items, you might just find yourself playing with the lights on.
The stories of Leon and Claire, two characters that have become key figures in the Resident Evil storyline, will be retold, too. Leon S. Kennedy is a rookie cop who finds himself tied up in the madness of Raccoon City when he reports in for the world’s worst first day on the job, while Claire Redfield is a street savvy college student who defies the danger of the city as she searches for her brother, Chris. Both characters will be playable through separate storylines, each bringing with them a unique perspective on the game’s events as their paths intertwine to tell the complete tale of Resident Evil 2, including familiar faces and story elements and extra modes from the original 1998 release.
Making It Happen
From the very beginning, we’ve been excited to show you what Resident Evil 2 has in store for both veterans and newcomers alike, and devoted fans have expressed their enthusiasm for this remake of the 1998 original in a variety of ways. From the initial announcement that “WE DO IT” to the reveal of Resident Evil 2 here at E3, it’s been incredible to see the passion and love that people have for the game.
It’s been over two years since we initially revealed that Resident Evil 2 was going into production, and a major reason why this game exists is because of fan feedback worldwide. It simply wouldn’t have happened without all of you making your desires known, and all of us at Capcom can’t wait to share this long-awaited remake of Resident Evil 2 with all of you next January.
Welcome to Raccoon City
Both long-time veterans of the franchise and those who are new to the series will have a lot to look forward to with Resident Evil 2. The RE Engine brings the city to life in a whole new way, offering a fresh take on Claire and Leon’s stories of desperate survival. Veteran fans will get to explore a game they love with incredible visual fidelity, new twists and turns, and a new way to play, while newcomers will get to experience what made the original so special in the hearts of so many. Raccoon City is ready to welcome you with open arms on January 25, 2019.
