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What the Critics Are Saying About the ‘Resident Evil 2’ Remake

Resident Evil 2, one of PlayStation’s most beloved horror classics, has been remade and is now available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. But is it any good? Let’s look at what the critics are saying!

Photo Credit: Promo Image
Photo Credit: Promo Image

Games Radar+ said that the game is, “a lovingly crafted return that perfectly recaptures what made the original great.” Games Radar+ gave the game a rating of 4 out of 5.

Polygon said, “Resident Evil 2 is everything a video game remake should be. It’s faithful in tone and story to its source material, while updating a classic in meaningful ways. It’s exciting in the ways that Resident Evil used to be, when the games were not driven by explosive set-pieces, but a constant sensation of high tension.” Polygon does not have a formal rating scale.

Telegraph said, “labeling this new version of Capcom’s survival-horror classic a ‘remake’ somehow feels like a curious understatement. Resident Evil 2 is a thrilling return to the legacy of the 1998 original, no doubt, hewing close to its style, structure and the zombified tale of a city infected with a devastating virus.” Telegraph rated the game 5 stars out of 5 stars.

EGM said, “more than just a simple remake of a cherished classic, Resident Evil 2 is a re-invigoration of the entire franchise, showing just how much life it still has left without the need to make drastic game play or stylistic changes. From start to end, this is a phenomenal showcase of old mixed with new, both giving players the chance to relive an important chapter in the life of the series under fantastic new conditions, while also potentially paving the way for Resident Evil for years to come.” EGM rated the game a 9.5 out of 10.

Gamespot said, “Reliving familiar frights can often make for a less-than-exciting horror experience. But with the remake of Resident Evil 2, Capcom shows respect for the original while also going to great lengths to give the macabre atmosphere and tense gameplay a noticeable upgrade. In doing so, this revamp of the classic survival horror game shows that the series can still offer a terrifying experience like no other.” Gamespot rated the game a 9 out of 10.

Gameinformer said, “Over the years, Capcom has experimented with several different approaches to Resident Evil, but this is one approach I hope gets revisited. Resident Evil 2 not only looks great, it plays well, and it forces you into a series of dark encounters that are a total rush. Resident Evil is finally running on all cylinders.” Game Informer rated the game a 9.5 out of 10.

Destructoid said, “My complaints about the Resident Evil 2 remaster are minimal. An argument could be made that Capcom could have done more, but the spirit of the original has been preserved and in many cases, enhanced. I hope every legacy game in the series gets this loving treatment, as I’ll probably be playing them for the rest of my life.” Destructoid rated the game a 9 out of 10.

Photo Credit: Promo Image
Photo Credit: Promo Image

PC Gamer said Resident Evil 2 is, “a tense, challenging, and beautiful remake of a classic survival horror game, and with enough fresh ideas to make it feel excitingly new.” PC Gamer rated the game 89 out of 100.

Screen Rant said, “Audiences wanted a remake of Resident Evil 2. They wanted to return to the terror of the destruction of Raccoon City and have it feel like a brand new experience. To that end, Resident Evil 2 is a resounding success. It is uninterested in broadening the lore of the franchise beyond what the original sequel accomplished, and it is far more focused with white-knuckle terror and non-stop tension than it is with fan service or nostalgia – though there is still plenty of that at play here. While it falls short of the original in some areas, particularly the interplay between its two protagonists, it more than exceeds in terms of gameplay, even surpassing the high water mark set by Resident Evil 7. Even players with no nostalgia for the original will still find plenty to love (and be terrified by) in this dark retelling of Resident Evil 2.” Screen Rant rated the game 4 out of 5 stars.

Hardcore Gamer said, “Capcom has not only recreated Resident Evil 2, but entirely redesigned it to be a bigger and more robust horror experience. The sense of dread and tension they created is unwavering throughout each of the six-hour campaigns. Unfortunately, the bosses are lacking in any depth and the puzzles, while drastically changed, aren’t going to win any awards for their designs. Regardless, the atmosphere that’s conveyed is some of the best you’ll ever find, be it thanks to the lighting techniques or the unnerving sound design.” Hardcore Gamer rated the game a 4.5 out of 5.

The AV Club said, “the Resident Evil 2 remake is proof that Capcom never really lost its touch – it only lost its way. The studio took the wrong lessons from the more action-focused Resident Evil 4 and forgot the quiet spookiness that this series used to do so well, resulting in absurdly bombastic installments like the bizarrely misguided (and shockingly racist) Resident Evil 5, which featured – among other ridiculous moments – a final boss fight in a volcano. This new Resident Evil 2 rejects that approach wholeheartedly, ignoring modern hooks like multiplayer modes and more streamlined gameplay loops in favor of a much more important innovation: Actually recognizing the things that made these games good in the first place. It’s quiet, it’s slow, it’s scary, and most of all, it’s still really damn good.” The AV Club has no formal rating system.  

Photo Credit: Promo Image
Photo Credit: Promo Image

Great reviews are pouring in from all sources, with only minor nitpicks. Metacritic.com has the game sitting at an impressive 91% on PS4, 93% on Xbox One and an 88% on PC. It certainly looks like Capcom has knocked the ball out of the park with this remake and we can only hope that the success of this release pushes Capcom to remake the other Resident Evil entries with the same love and attention.

Will you be picking up Resident Evil 2 this week? Did you enjoy the demo? Are you a fan of the original? Let us know in the comments!