Resident Evil 2 - STUNLOCK

Finished up Claire's A scenario in Resident Evil 2 earlier, the last stretch was surprisingly difficult. Any sense of confidence earned through running laps and outwitting Mr X in the police station all but evaporated when heading down into the sewers. The final section, set in a laboratory-cum-conservatory, bled me dry, offering only the bare minimum of supplies to run the hothouse gauntlet.

This penultimate boss, the third form of William Birkin's G monster, was a late-game highlight, coming on like a flesh lump that required the player to simply drain their (dwindling) resources when, in actual fact, the correct approach involved baiting swipes, using acid grenades to halt his approach then popping his bloodshot eyeballs with some precision aiming. In many ways the boss reminded me of Bloodborne's Cleric Beast, a towering, surprisingly swift monster who chewed the player up if they tried keeping their distance. Stay close then run into his heavily telegraphed swipes though and the player can slip under his arm, catching the creature unawares.

Resident Evil 2 - PETROL STATION

Digital Foundry compares and contrasts the original PlayStation release of Resident Evil 2 with its recently released remake, examining the titles in terms of how they approach the same basic scenario. I've had a few hours with Capcom's wonderful overhaul, the most impressive aspect so far is how it handles an idea of gearing up, not just in terms of player controlled weaponry or inventory space, but in how the game presents threat beyond simply stacking rooms with respawning corpses.

The game's first act is dark, tinged with horror, the player pecking away at shuffling meat with underpowered pop guns. After a few laps, the hallways clear out, promising either a brief sense of release or (if you enjoy the hassle) a mid-scramble slump. Just when you think you've achieved some breathing room, a trench coat Tyrant appears. Pursued room-to-room by this towering monster muscle, Capcom R&D Division 1's game provides its players with a damage dealing incentive to not just wander aimlessly, but to learn layouts and connecting corridors, powering the player towards the kind of interactive fluency that tracks naturally into speed-running.

Digital Foundry Retro - Resident Evil 2

Ahead of a certain remake's imminent release, Digital Foundry's John Linneman talks us through the various ports of the original Resident Evil 2.

Resident Evil 2 - LAST ESCAPE

As well as evolving flesh cube William Birkin, Resident Evil 2 remake's Claire Redfield will also be receiving ongoing hassle from a newly disguised Mr X. You've gotta love that pork pie hat, probably wants to lecture Miss Redfield on the lost art of medieval gallantry too. The original Mackintosh monster from the PS1 release could be easily outwitted by leaving then returning to an area, not so this revision. X will not be put off by doors or even the odd grenade launched at his person. It's a nice touch that he pushes basic enemies like zombies out of his way to maintain the pursuit too. January 25th can't come soon enough.

Resident Evil 2 - MA-39

Worried that Capcom are asleep at the wheel when it comes to zombie Dobermann tech? This latest trailer for the upcoming Resident Evil 2 remake has got you covered. These violent corpses manage to look brand spanking new while still evoking the airbrushed rubberiness of Capcom's vintage Softimage 3D design work.

Resident Evil 2 - ARRANGE MODE

Front-and-centre in the latest press release footage of Capcom's Resident Evil 2 remake is Claire Redfield, demoing her scavenged arsenal against a rampaging, thick-skinned William Birkin. Stick around until the end to catch a glimpse of part-time serial killer, full-time bent copper Brian Irons nosing his way into, what I assume, is an expanded Police Station sub-plot.

E3 - RPD

After years of whispers, Capcom's over-the-shoulder remake of Resident Evil 2 finally gets a reveal. It's difficult not to be excited about a chance to re-explore Hideki Kamiya's superb sequel with the added benefit of all the oppressive, atmospheric lighting effects modern graphics engines can offer.

KEEP QUIET / SINGLE FILE

George Romero's advert for Resident Evil 2, starring a young Brad Renfro. Always wondered if this ad campaign was an attempt to fob off Romero seeking any remuneration for all the lifts from his Dead films. The SWAT team vs zombies idea the series is built on is straight out of Dawn of the Dead. I remember some early footage from the cancelled version of the sequel on GamesMaster featuring the player characters fumbling around with some twisted security shutters. Although most people assumed this meant the game was set in or around a mall, it's more likely it was intended to be part of the ultra-modern, riot proof police station that anchored that games events.

RESIDENT EVIL 2

The Tofu Survivor

Complete Resident Evil 2 an inordinate amount of times, and you'll be given the option to play through a parody version of the game's The Fourth Survivor unlockable mode. Instead of thugging around as the Umbrella corporation's top bag man Hunk, players get to lark about as a lump of tofu, complete with squeaky comedy sound effects and Mickey Mouse gloves. As you can see by this gameplay clip, Mr Tofu really hates zombie dogs. Get knifed pup!

Virus City

After several middling gameplay clips failed to wow, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City finally warms up by shilling on pure nostalgia. Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis have been image plundered to ignite some excite. With full HD remix remakes looking increasingly unlikely for the two PlayStation sequels, this could be as close as we'll get to a bells and whistles re-experience. As well as a Leon S Kennedy NPC running around causing havoc, we get Claire Redfield, the Mr X Tyrant, Nemesis, and William Birkin's mutating G monster. Best of all, we also get a glimpse of fourth survivor Hunk, larking about with the Umbrella Special Forces team. Hopefully, that means Tofu will put in an appearance. Shame, all these face toys seem to be off limits, players stuck playing as interchangeable gas-mask people. Shame. Almost got excited then.