TL;DR - This game is a nightmare. In all the best ways. It doesn't shove jump-scares down your throat, it relies heavily on tension and action, while still being a good way to terrify yourself. The game loved itself in 1998, and it loves itself now, remaining very faithful to the original.

Story: The game takes place way back in 1998, following the events of Resident Evil 1 (And Remake, which acts as a sort of soft reboot), tasking the player with stepping into the shoes of both Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie cop arriving in Raccoon City looking to figure out what happened seemingly overnight. And Claire Redfield, the sister to Chris from the first game, who aims to locate her missing brother, and former STARS member. Both of them work together to try to escape the nightmare as it unfolds, hoping not to succumb to the same fate as the rest of the city.

Gameplay: Resident Evil 2 is very similar to more recent titles, like 5 and 6, using an over the shoulder camera unlike the old-school fixed camera angles from the Playstation 1 era. Despite this, enemies remain terrifying and bulky enough to withstand enough damage that being swarmed feels like a death sentence. Much like Remake, you have defensive options that allow to escape grab attacks, but with the added benefit of being able to finish off weakened enemies. Ammo is somewhat scarce unlike the original RE2, allowing the player the option of using gunpowder to make ammunition relevant to both characters.

Audio: The music isn't often present, which in my opinion is kind of a downer, because the music that IS in play is wonderfully orchestrated and very fitting for the atmosphere. On the other hand, weapons sound meaty and powerful, giving the impression that you're not just dealing surface damage. The voice acting is on point this time around, sounding much more natural if a bit dramatic. Characters actually express emotions and have a lot more depth than most entries in the series. General sound effects are lovely to listen to, giving life to the world around you. From rain to soda cans rolling on the floor, it all sounds daunting, giving way to a fitting atmosphere. The addition of the Soundtrack Swap DLC brings a very nostalgic feel, bringing back old music and sound effects for some elements.

Graphics: This game is pretty, that's the shortest way to put it. But with tons of options and sliders, the game can run on older computers with relative ease, or you can see multitudes of small details on higher end rigs. Textures are smooth and have quite a bit of depth. Cloth looks like cloth, windows shine and reflect, lights glow and flicker, and even the enemies look grotesque and mutated. They did not skimp on the gore either. You'll find plenty of body parts, giblets, and dismemberment here, leaving one to either gag at the sight, or revel in the carnage one can inflict.

Difficulty: 3 difficulty modes allow players to try their hand at surviving the night. Assisted gives players access to aim assist and weaker enemies and more plentiful ammunition, whereas Hardcore will force players to deal with limited saves, reduced ammunition and items, and enemies that seem to be made of steel. And they can hurt you like it, too. The latter is the truest Resident Evil experience, also allowing the player to unlock a few powerful secrets if they can earn a high grade. There are also a few unlockables, and not one DLC is remotely required to enjoy the game or it's difficulty options, resulting in a nice balanced mix for all comers.

Overall, the game is worth your money if you're into shooters, horror, and corny storylines. Despite the high notes of the story and dialogue, this is still a Resident Evil game. Plenty of camp, plenty of cheese, and plenty of gore.

TL;DR - This game is a nightmare. In all the best ways. It doesn't shove jump-scares down your throat, it relies heavily on tension and action, while still being a good way to terrify yourself. The game loved itself in 1998, and it loves itself now, remaining very faithful to the original. Story: The game takes place way back in 1998, following the events of Resident Evil 1 (And Remake, which acts as a sort of soft reboot), tasking the player with stepping into the shoes of both Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie cop arriving in Raccoon City looking to figure out what happened seemingly overnight. And Claire Redfield, the sister to Chris from the first game, who aims to locate her missing brother, and former STARS member. Both of them work together to try to escape the nightmare as it unfolds, hoping not to succumb to the same fate as the rest of the city. Gameplay: Resident Evil 2 is very similar to more recent titles, like 5 and 6, using an over the shoulder camera unlike the old-school fixed camera angles from the Playstation 1 era. Despite this, enemies remain terrifying and bulky enough to withstand enough damage that being swarmed feels like a death sentence. Much like Remake, you have defensive options that allow to escape grab attacks, but with the added benefit of being able to finish off weakened enemies. Ammo is somewhat scarce unlike the original RE2, allowing the player the option of using gunpowder to make ammunition relevant to both characters. Audio: The music isn't often present, which in my opinion is kind of a downer, because the music that IS in play is wonderfully orchestrated and very fitting for the atmosphere. On the other hand, weapons sound meaty and powerful, giving the impression that you're not just dealing surface damage. The voice acting is on point this time around, sounding much more natural if a bit dramatic. Characters actually express emotions and have a lot more depth than most entries in the series. General sound effects are lovely to listen to, giving life to the world around you. From rain to soda cans rolling on the floor, it all sounds daunting, giving way to a fitting atmosphere. The addition of the Soundtrack Swap DLC brings a very nostalgic feel, bringing back old music and sound effects for some elements. Graphics: This game is pretty, that's the shortest way to put it. But with tons of options and sliders, the game can run on older computers with relative ease, or you can see multitudes of small details on higher end rigs. Textures are smooth and have quite a bit of depth. Cloth looks like cloth, windows shine and reflect, lights glow and flicker, and even the enemies look grotesque and mutated. They did not skimp on the gore either. You'll find plenty of body parts, giblets, and dismemberment here, leaving one to either gag at the sight, or revel in the carnage one can inflict. Difficulty: 3 difficulty modes allow players to try their hand at surviving the night. Assisted gives players access to aim assist and weaker enemies and more plentiful ammunition, whereas Hardcore will force players to deal with limited saves, reduced ammunition and items, and enemies that seem to be made of steel. And they can hurt you like it, too. The latter is the truest Resident Evil experience, also allowing the player to unlock a few powerful secrets if they can earn a high grade. There are also a few unlockables, and not one DLC is remotely required to enjoy the game or it's difficulty options, resulting in a nice balanced mix for all comers. Overall, the game is worth your money if you're into shooters, horror, and corny storylines. Despite the high notes of the story and dialogue, this is still a Resident Evil game. Plenty of camp, plenty of cheese, and plenty of gore.