📢 RUN! IT'S MR. X! 📢
In a higher resolution, even! 😱
Aaaand we're back with another horror article! Figured we'd go through all the recent Resident Evil releases while we're at it. And Capcom did brand all the remakes with the same name as the originals, so I get to name them thusly. 😁
Capcom really started the new remake trend, i.e. actually making competent products.** I know! What a novel idea... Well, RE2's remake really kicked things off, so let's discuss why, shall we?
We shall❗️ In this edition of Through the Lens 🎞, we'll be taking a look at Capcom's remake of a classic from 2019: Resident Evil 2, ◀️
(same name, different genre)
Roll it! 📽
🔷 UP TOP 🔶
The soundtrack is very well executed in this one. It's layered and manages to achieve several things even though it's just a horror game soundtrack. And I say just a horror OST because those are usually very one-dimensional. While this soundtrack does have some trademark horror cliches, it works to enhance them, not live by them. So, good show on the OST. 👏
Following the smashing success of Resident Evil 7, everyone was curious about what would this remake of a classic entail. Most people were optimistic, but some were cautious. Some were even cautiously optimistic 😱. I know - cowards. I was said coward and played this beast pretty close to release.
Both fans of the original and brand-new followers found this game to be sensational. And for good reason. I remember the internet being a buzz with all the changes made, and all the smart improvements implemented. Every Resident Evil lore tidbit was covered.
Capcom did it right. Let's explore why.
🔷 FRESH PERSPECTIVE 🔶
As the first-person perspective brought some much-needed life into the Resident Evil franchise with Resident Evil 7 - so did the shift to the third perspective bring new life into this beloved remake. 💯
RE2 was made with fixed camera angles as if you were playing a movie. It's a no-brainer to let you control your protagonists in the third person, but sometimes devs miss the most obvious things. I'm glad they didn't this time.
Apart from the literal player perspective, the entire game perspective has been updated to fit modern times. 👌 While most of the game is a 1:1 recreation, there are parts that have been enhanced or switched around to better suit modern design philosophies as well as modern audiences.
The beats of the game largely stay the same with some minor exceptions (and to not risk spoilers there's no reason to mention them here). Even how Mr.X chases you have been updated to fit the times. He is now a constant threat which suits the new perspective perfectly.
🔷 FAITHFUL 🔶
For one thing the routes are still intact. You get to play the game first as the concerned but heroic police officer - Leon. And then as Claire, the sister to arguably the franchise protagonist, Chris Redfield. Both stories complement each other, and only by playing both will you get the complete picture of what exactly happened in Raccoon City. // sidenote: who came up with that name for a city? and then who agreed to it?
Many parts of the original have been either fully revamped to suit the new engine and style, or enhanced. The infected police officer that you meet in the beginning for instance has a much bigger and more substantial role. Serving the purpose of a prologue guide to perfection.
🔷 ACTION OR SURVIVAL 🔶
This title definitely has more in common with Resident Evil 4 than any other game. While the survival mechanics are there (you still have to scavenge through crates and watch your ammo) it is by no means a survival game. Heck, even the previous game we talked about, Resident Evil 7, had more of a survival feel than this game. And that wasn't fully a survival game either. 😁
Now is that a bad thing? it all depends on the person playing and their preferences. I personally like survival horror more, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what RE2 accomplished. It is an excellent product through and through. When something is as polished as this is, you tend to overlook your tendencies and just enjoy it for what it is - an amazing game.
🔷 LEGACY 🔶
Not sure if we would've got the new amazing Dead Space remake or the soon to be featured Resident Evil 4 remake if it wasn't for this game. It started a trend in the industry that is still going strong to this day. ☀️
Remake aside it is a good game period full stop end of the sentence. Even if you have never played a Resident Evil game before this is still an amazing place to kick things off. You won't be confused by the plot or mechanics, if anything you'll be intrigued,
So that ends up being a whole-hearted recommendation to give this game a try if you haven't. If you have any passing interest in horror then this is a must play. Even if you don't like horror you should give it a shot. Who knows, it might just broaden your horizons.
Shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
So I am in two minds about writing an article for Resident Evil 3. The game itself was kind of a letdown, and while I can talk about that let down I'm not sure I have enough material to make a full post out of it. We'll see. I'm for sure covering Resident Evil 4 and 8. And of course, a bunch of other horror titles.
I should've probably saved all this horror content for October but Watchagonnado. 😅 I got so many horror titles to talk about that I wouldn't be surprised if they last me until October anyway. 😁
One can dream.
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I hope you are having an amazing start to your week! 🙌