5 Big Gameplay Changes in Resident Evil 2 Remake
No Zapping System
Resident Evil 2 revolves around two characters, Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy, who each share their own experiences in Raccoon City. Capcom devised the zapping system on the PS1, which made it so that players could experience both sides of the same story.
Moreover, any choice you made during your first playthrough would eventually carry over to your second run. Getting too greedy with items could mean that you’ll lose out when you eventually play as Leon or Claire later on. It was an ingenious system back at the time, although Capcom went and removed it in the Resident Evil 2 remake.
Players can still experience both sides of the story, although the Leon/Claire B leaves a lot to be desired. Apart from some minor changes, both the A and B campaigns play pretty much the same. Bringing back the zapping system could have given us two different sides to the story, but Capcom fell flat on that front.
5 Big Gameplay Changes in Resident Evil 2 Remake
Streamlined Controls
Veterans of the series probably remember the clunky tank controls in the original Resident Evil 2. It definitely took some time to get used to, but those controls worked pretty well with the game’s fixed camera angles.
Fast forward to 2019, and Capcom decided to dump it completely. They’ve modernized the controls, giving us a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective found in Resident Evil 4. While Capcom did play around with the idea of tank controls and fixed camera angles, they ultimately agreed that those mechanics felt a bit too outdated.
And, honestly, it’s perfectly fine. Resident Evil 2, with its updated controls and changed camera perspective, is now the perfect entry for those who have always wanted to play the series.
5 Big Gameplay Changes in Resident Evil 2 Remake
Wooden Board System
Another interesting feature from the original game was that players could use shutters to lock out zombies from breaking windows and entering the precinct. While it wasn’t expanded on in the PS1 version, Capcom went ahead and made it a full-fledged mechanic in the Resident Evil 2 remake.
As players explore the map, they can come across wooden boards they can pick up and place on windows. This prevents any zombies from breaking the glass and slithering their way in. You never really know just when zombies will come crashing through which window.
The wooden board system adds another layer of strategy, urging players to really think about which areas they want to lock up. Since you won’t be able to seal off every entry point, you’ll have to make the most out of the limited boards you’ll find.
5 Big Gameplay Changes in Resident Evil 2 Remake
Knives and Explosives as Counters
The knife had to be one of the most useless weapons you could get your hands on in Resident Evil 2. Apart from those knife-only runs, you’re much better off running away from zombies than stabbing them to death.
The Resident Evil 2 remake mixes things up a bit and finally makes knives useful by letting you use them as counters. Whenever a zombie or some other creature attempts to attack you, you can press the L1 or LB button and shove them away with your knife or explosives, assuming you have them on hand.
With a knife, you can pick it up from their dead body and use it again. Explosives, on the other hand, can be shot at and trigger an explosion, dealing some pretty hefty damage. Having counters makes the experience much more believable, as it gives your characters a fighting chance before being bitten.
5 Big Gameplay Changes in Resident Evil 2 Remake
Shuffled Puzzles and Locations
Out of all of these changes in the remake, the biggest one has to be the shuffled puzzles and locations. During development, Capcom was careful to make the game as familiar as possible for season veterans. At the same time, they wanted to implement new surprises and find a way to scare series fans, both new and old.
The most obvious way to do this was by subtly switching locations around and adding some new areas to the game. Similarly, they also shifted some of the in-game events, such as the licker that crawls across the window in the precinct.
Most of the puzzles have also been tweaked, often requiring different or more items to solve. One particular puzzle requires you to get three medallions, which have now been scattered around in different locations in the PS4 version. Not to mention the remake has a few easter eggs that nod to past games and spin-offs.
The Resident Evil 2 Remake still manages to pay homage to the original concepts and designs and slipping in surprises to keep fans on their toes. There’s not much fun if you remember every single solution in the game, after all.
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