The original Resident Evil 2 was the best-selling horror game on the PlayStation for a good reason. It was a clever expansion of the ideas established in the first game, which was already a hit, and it further found its voice, marking the point where the franchise truly hit its stride. The story became more intricate, and fans found themselves emotionally invested in the characters, solidifying Leon as one of the most beloved figures in the survival horror genre.
To this day, fans continue to clamour for more Leon, who has appeared in several more installments, including Resident Evil 4, 6, and Requiem, as well as multiple CGI films. Before becoming a video game legend, he had humble beginnings and was just a guy to play as when the alternative was Claire Redfield, the sister of the hero from the original Resident Evil. The first sequel in the series is well known for its ports, having been released for the Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo GameCube, and even the Game.com. How does the Steam version of this PlayStation classic hold up?
In September 1998, just two months after the terrifying events at Spencer Mansion, the T-virus, a deadly biological weapon created by the Umbrella Corporation, began to spread uncontrollably through Raccoon City. As a result, most of the citizens transform into flesh-eating zombies, plunging the once-quiet Midwestern town into chaos. Rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy arrives for his first day on the job, only to discover the streets overrun with the undead. Along the way, he meets Claire Redfield, a college student who is searching for her older brother, Chris, a survivor of the Spencer Mansion incident.
After a narrow escape from a zombie attack, the pair heads to the beleaguered Raccoon Police Department for safety. Most officers are dead or infected, and Chris already skipped town to pursue Umbrella in Europe, leaving the duo to fend for themselves. Leon and Claire split up to search for survivors and a way out. Leon crosses paths with the mysterious Ada Wong, who says she’s looking for her boyfriend, a researcher working for Umbrella. At the same time, Claire discovers a scared young girl named Sherry Birkin, the daughter of Umbrella scientists. Together, they uncover the terrifying truth about the G-virus, a deadlier creation made by Sherry’s father, William Birkin.
As they navigate through the police station, sewers, and an underground laboratory, they encounter terrible horrors: swarms of zombies, mutated creatures, and an inhuman, relentless pursuer donning a trench coat sent by Umbrella to recover the G-virus. Meanwhile, a G-virus-infected Birkin becomes increasingly monstrously deformed and engorged with mass, stopping at nothing to find Sherry. The story has high stakes, and the characters possess clearly defined motivations, creating a compelling pace. After all these years, the scenario still manages to be engrossing, taking subtle cues from the best of Hollywood at the time. It’s best described as John Romero by way of James Cameron, combining elements of the original Dawn of the Dead (1978) and the anti-corporatism and maternal/parental themes found in Aliens (1986).
Just because this was a 90s-era survival horror, don’t be so quick to dismiss its gameplay. Resident Evil 2 uses tank controls, where the character moves forward or backward based on their facing direction and turns left or right independently of the camera. Paired with fixed, pre-rendered camera angles that shift as you move between rooms, it creates a cinematic but tense visual language. Limited visibility adds to the suspense, with zombies or creatures suddenly appearing to startle you or enhance the atmosphere. A clever detail is the absence of an on-screen HUD during gameplay; health is shown through the character’s posture and animations, standing normally when healthy, clutching their side when wounded, or limping when critically injured.
Classic Resident Evil gameplay is fundamentally based on point-and-click adventure principles. While fighting was always a means to an end, it was in Resident Evil 2 that confrontations became both stressful and occasionally necessary. Combat is deliberate and strategic rather than run-and-gun. Leon/Claire has very deliberate movement that demands commitment. The tank controls in this entry were particularly responsive and fluid. Players start with basic weapons like a knife or handgun and gradually acquire stronger firearms such as a shotgun, submachine gun, or magnum. With ammo in short supply, players have to choose between taking on enemies or slipping past them, a high-risk, high-reward way to approach the game. Using a Hori Fighting Commander wired controller with this version was particularly effective due to its refined D-pad and compatibility with PlayStation consoles, as well as PC support.
Resident Evil 2 is a standout classic horror game on the PlayStation, still holding its place as a top example of the genre today. Its “zapping” system makes it incredibly replayable and keeps players coming back for more. Zapping is one of the most innovative features of Resident Evil 2, but it was completely removed in the remake. This feature creates four interconnected scenarios: Leon A, Leon B, Claire A, and Claire B, linking two back-to-back playthroughs. By choosing either Leon or Claire for Scenario A, players can experience their unique story paths, which include character-specific encounters. For example, Leon interacts with Ada Wong, while Claire’s story involves Sherry. Each scenario also features altered enemy placements, different item locations, and exclusive story elements.
Upon completing Scenario A and saving the clear data, Scenario B is unlocked for the other character. This second run depicts events happening roughly simultaneously or shortly after the first scenario, with a slightly condensed structure but fresh narrative developments, new cutscenes, and alternative routes. What makes the system special is the actual “zapping”: certain player actions and decisions in Scenario A directly influence Scenario B. Leaving a weapon like the submachine gun behind in A, it may appear for the second character in B. Other zaps affect minor events, item availability, enemy encounters, or even optional appearances of other characters. This ingenious continuity gives the feeling that both protagonists are navigating the same collapsing city at the same time, greatly increasing replayability and immersion while encouraging multiple playthroughs to see the full story.
Resident Evil 2 is packed with details and secrets. Alongside fully exploring the story with zapping, players can unlock weapons based on their performance and enjoy bonus mini-scenarios featuring Hunk and Tofu. The Steam version has Hunk and Tofu unlocked from the start, so players are free to try their luck if they can survive the ridiculous gauntlet of making it from the sewer to the helicopter pad at the top of the police station.
Feature-wise, the Steam edition is pretty similar to the GameCube and Dreamcast versions. The main difference is the image quality, featuring crisp, razor-sharp character models that hold up beautifully. With some effort, intrepid gamers could replace the prerendered backgrounds with AI-enhanced options if they choose, or play as Michael Jackson or whatever. The biggest surprise and welcome change is that door-opening animations can be skipped, which will delight anyone who has been playing Resident Evil 2 for almost 30 years.
