Overview
This Resident Evil 2 is a remake of the original game with the same title that came out 20 years and four console generations earlier. In terms of story and gameplay, the game tries to stay true to the original. Even reading collected notes and handling inventory items feels deliberately outdated with less of a real-time feel to capture the essence of the PlayStation installment. Graphics are obviously the main difference between this version and the original, as it runs on the RE Engine introduced in Resident Evil 7.
The story follows Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie police officer coming to work on his first day at Raccoon City's precinct. Another side of the story follows Claire Redfield, who came to Raccoon City in search of her brother Chris, who is also a member of the S.T.A.R.S. The game, just like the original, is intended to be played with both characters, where a second playthrough with the other character will unlock additional locations and complete the story. Thus, the story works the same whether it's played first as Leon and then Claire, or first as Claire and then Leon. Both stories aren't entirely taking place in parallel and while replaying with a different character will open new locations, cutscenes and boss battles, the player will also have to unlock the same lockers, doors and paths that the other character did on the first playthrough. During the main story, Sherry, in Claire's story, and Ada Wong, in Leon's story, are playable for a bit.
