Capcom answered the prayers of many 90s gamers earlier this summer when it confirmed it has given the green light to a full-fledged remake of its seminal survival horror classic, Resident Evil 2. In fact, here at PSU Towers, the only other revelations from 2015 that even come close to having us frothing like a fanboy at the mouth has been the news of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Shenmue III. After all, Resident Evil 2 for many stands as the defining moment in Capcom’s venerable zombie-blasting franchise, and captures that quintessential survival horror feel more than any other game in recent memory.
We’ve already covered in an earlier article what we think Capcom should do in order to do justice to the source material and create a worthy Resi 2 revamp. However, Resident Evil 2 has many standout moments that we can’t wait to see recreated in stunning high-definition on PlayStation 4, and it got us thinking—what scenes do we want to see redone more than anything else?
Here’s our Top 6.
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THE INTRO
Resi 2’s introduction sequence was pretty special back in 1998. Not only was it the first time the series has used proper CG animation (replacing the hammy live-action sequences of the original game), but despite its age, it’s actually still pretty badass to this day. The slow buildup of tension as Leon and Claire arrive in Raccoon City juxtaposed with the frantic car chase that follows makes for a thrilling introduction sequence that gets the blood pumping and ready for capping zombies in their rotting craniums. Imagine how brilliant it would look on PS4? Hell, Capcom could even expand it a little more, giving us a few more zombie-blasting action and some more dialogue to flesh out the characters’ backgrounds. After all, it’s since been established that Leon was stuck in New York traffic prior to his arrival in the doomed city, while Claire haphazardly jumped on her motorbike without so much as a thought for packing any protective gear. If done right, this could put the likes of George A. Romero’s works to shame.
The R.P.D.
Resi 2 may have been bombastic in places, but it still knew how to do subtlety as much as its equally revered predecessor. There’s not many scenes that encompass this as much as the entrance to the R.P.D at the beginning of the game. After facing off hordes of rotting undead on the war-torn streets of Raccoon City, the comparative sanctuary of the lobby is a welcome, almost soothing relief. There’s no zombies, no scenes of bloodshed, not even a shell casing; just you and a deserted hall, punctuated by the flicker of a computer monitor at the back end of the hall. It’s a simple yet brilliantly effective scene, complemented perfectly by the ominous score that plays throughout the location for the remainder of the game. Furthermore, it also lures you into a false sense of security; the relative safety of the hall is only short lived, as you step into the upper-left office splattered with bloodstained and scenes of chaos.
MR. X
Before there was Nemesis, there was Mr. X. This trenchcoat-wearing behemoth stalks Leon and Claire during the ‘B’ scenario, its stoic gaze and meaty fists providing one of the major scares of Resident Evil 2 as it pursues its quarry with tenacious brutality. Whether he’s crashing through walls unexpectedly or rampaging through corridors, Mr. X is a force to be reckoned with; dishing out huge amounts of damaging and absorbing bullets like a sponge, the Umbrella manufactured Tyrant is among the most fearsome creatures in the series, and we can’t wait to see him given a shiny HD coat of paint in the Resi 2 remake. With new technology at Capcom’s hands, it would be great to see Mr. X’s ferocity increasing even more this time around.
WILLIAM BIRKIN’S RAMPAGE
Another classic cutscene from Resi 2, this time depicting Umbrella agent Hunk and his teammates procuring the G-Virus sample from Dr. William Birkin. In typical Resi fashion, things don’t go according to plan, with a wounded Birkin ultimately injecting himself with the virus and mutating into a hulking Tyrant-esque creature, before embarking on a bloody rampage in the sewer system. Needless to say, it doesn’t end well for the Umbrella team. We’d love to see this scene reimagined for the remake, with glorious CG animation and perhaps an extension to the original version, offering more of a glimpse at how Hunk made it out alive, and delve deeper into the bloody fates of his teammates.
THE LICKER
Resi 2’s answer to the Hunters made a lasting impression on 90s gamers, not least because of that spine-tingling intro in the bloody halls of the R.P.D’s first floor. The T-Virus beast’s introduction is classic and quintessentially Resi, built on tension and a fair bit of your imagination running wild. After spotting the slippery foe skidding past a window, you enter a corridor only to find the decapitated body of a local plod, blood dripping ominously from the ceiling above. You look up, and, well, you know the rest (and if you don’t, where have you been since ‘98?!). This is one of Resi 2’s most memorable scenes, and we’d love to see it remastered for the remake, and possibly expanded. After all, the original version of the scene had the cop’s severed head drop from the Licker’s gaping maw, so how about including the full version in all its gory glory for the remake? Hell, maybe up the ante and have two Lickers this time around.
WE’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT
Urban tales of giant alligators lurking in the sewers across the U.S. were made a reality in Resi 2, when Leon and Claire came face-to-face with a T-Virus infected ‘gator in the depths of Raccoon City’s maze-like underground. Measuring around five times larger than your average scaly beast, the alligator is a tough customer, requiring dozens of high-calibre ammunition to see off. In fact, the only way to see it off effectively is to blow it up by shoving a gas cylinder in its gob and shooting it—riffing off that classic ending to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Darkside Chronicles did a great job at re-imagining the fight and extending the battle (albeit as a first-person shooter), and we feel—apart from giving the ‘gator a PS4 makeover so that every scale and tooth is exquisitely detailed—Capcom could easily elongate the fight by adding a few new set pieces into the mix, as the original battle, despite its cinematic flair, had you doing little more than running away, pressing a button, waiting and firing. Executed properly, and the alligator encounter may eclipse any other boss battle.
What Resi 2 scenes were your favorite in the original?
Are you looking forward to next big installment, Resident Evil 7?
Let us know in the comments section below.