Resident Evil 2 Remake was one of the biggest games at Tokyo Game Show 2018, and we were able to spend over an hour with it, playing as both Claire and Leon. In the video above, newcomer to the game, Dave Jewitt, lays out his impressions of the old game remade, free from the nostalgia that people like Tamoor might bring to the table.
Unlike the original Resident Evil 2, each character will have a distinct campaign--no more replaying large chunks of the game that are largely the same. It will be interesting to eventually see how Capcom's developers tweak the story and gameplay to fit the new structure, but for now, let's recap what we've seen thus far.
Specifically for Tokyo Game Show, Capcom showed off a new demo for Claire's campaign. We were able to spend a bit more time exploring the Racoon City Police Station, doing the usual hunting for items and keys while headshotting any zombies that shuffled by. Knowing that we were playing a limited demo, the usual survival-horror tactics of hoarding ammo and avoiding conflict didn't seem necessary. So, when we ran into Lickers, we used up precious Acid Rounds and Flame Rounds to make short work of them. See for yourself in our new TGS 2018 Resident Evil 2 Remake gameplay clip.
We were similarly reckless while recording our other new Resident Evil 2 Remake gameplay video, where you can see Claire face off against the first form of the G-Virus Monster boss (actual names have been withheld to protect the innocent, and those who are wary of spoilers). That demo was first shown at Gamescom 2018, back in August. Our victory was most likely due to free-wheelin' shotgunning, but you can't discount the value of a predictable camera and reliable controls to help you overcome terrifying odds in tight quarters.
The overarching shift in camera perspectives is a massive change that makes the moment-to-moment gameplay feel new all over again, as do the small tweaks made to enemy arrangements and location layouts. There's not doubt that the GameCube remake of the original Resident Evil proved it's possible to dress up a fixed-camera survival horror game to satisfy contemporary standards, but considering how stellar that game turned out, it's not surprising to see the new Resident Evil 2 being remade in a way that makes it stand out from what's been done before.
Now, as we look ahead to 2019, Resident Evil 2 Remake is one of the most anticipated games on the horizon. For impressions of what it was like to play as the other main character, Leon Kennedy, check out our first preview from earlier this year at E3 2018 or watch the video above, in which Dave--who comes to the game without having played the original Resident Evil 2--and Tamoor discuss their experiences with it. And to hear from the developers making the game at Capcom, we've got an interview from E3 available to check out as well.
