Resident Evil 2

 GameCube
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
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  1. Game Informer
    80
    Sound, suspense, storyline, and action make RE 2 a classic on any platform. [Apr 2003, p.89]
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  2. N-Insanity
    76
    As far as extra features being a reason to own it on the Gamecube though, there isn't much incentive other than having the full series on the GCN.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best GameCube Game of 2003
35
#35 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
18
#18 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 99
  3. Negative: 7 out of 99
  1. Griaule
    Jan 8, 2014
    9
    They said it's going be a remake. I still miss it. And no, the Umbrella Chronicles is not a real remake of Resident Evil 2, because it doesn'tThey said it's going be a remake. I still miss it. And no, the Umbrella Chronicles is not a real remake of Resident Evil 2, because it doesn't have the same atmosphere.… Full Review »
  2. XISMZERO
    Jul 13, 2003
    1
    Resident Evil 2 was a groundbreaking title - five years ago... here we have another no-frills Capcom port for $39.99 - unacceptable.
  3. Heisenberg93
    Jul 27, 2015
    10
    Here we are talking about a big shot. Very big. Hailed by many as the best chapter in the saga. I will talk about this game for what it is,Here we are talking about a big shot. Very big. Hailed by many as the best chapter in the saga. I will talk about this game for what it is, because that's how I played it. I won't waste time to whine that it is not a true GameCube remake as the first chapter, or that it has a dated and ugly graphic for 2003. I played often RE2 on PlayStation, but I never had the opportunity to finish it. Then thanks to Dolphin emulator, I could.

    The plot of Resident Evil 2 is up to the one of the first chapter. However this time it is more perceptible that behind the background about the biological disaster caused by Umbrella, there are personal stories: the first day of service for Leon, Claire looking for her brother, William Birkin and his morbid love for his work. The setting in the streets of Raccoon City, but especially in the police station and then in the laboratory creates a background similar to the one of the first chapter, and of course it works perfectly, even though The Mansion was most fascinating.

    RE2's gameplay is extraordinary, but I have to put one thing straight: after playing the remake of the first on GameCube, it is obvious how the gameplay of this second chapter will always have something less. The gameplay is the most classic and the most beautiful that can be expected from Resident Evil: weapons, ammunition, herbs, puzzles and a lot of zombies. However it is important the way in which the game manages to handle these elements. For example, the balance is almost perfect: the amount of ammo is always good, but never too much. You have enough ammo, but you know that you can finish them quickly, so you have to keep your eyes open and don't waste them. You're always on the edge and that is fantastic; the difficulty of the game is also excellent at lower levels, and this is simply outstanding. Speaking of puzzles, I was a little disappointed. There are few puzzles, in fact. Beautiful, but few. And not as beautiful and complex as those in the first chapter. The game has 4 scenarios, 2 with Leon (A-B) and 2 with Claire (A-B). It is interesting and nice the way scenarios are organized and only if you play according to a certain predisposition, have their way. In any case, playing one scenario over another is always fun because there is always something different. Something you didn't know, or something you missed. One very nice thing is the appearance of the enemy T-00, known as "Mr. X". It's interesting because that big bastard beast always appears when you least expect it, and in this way makes the gameplay more difficult, fun and scary. He moves continuously in the police station, he follows you, he enter breaking down the walls when you don't expect it or he can appear behind you. This particular enemy had a very positive impact on the game's horror factor, such as Crimson Head in the first chapter. The difficulty in boss fights is very high, even playing at lower levels. Playing one scenario individually doesn't last long, but having to finish all 4 scenarios will make the game last longer. Gameplay is still clearly horror and the atmosphere is great, but it starts to feel a more action tendency.

    From a technical standpoint, RE2 looks pretty good. And I don't care that it isn't a true remake. The graphic of the game is beautiful and charming in 2015, in 2003 and in 1998. And it always will be. Among other things, the game has an impressive and extraordinary cinematographic level, incredible today, but above all in its bygone era. The soundtrack is perfectly suited to the atmosphere of the game. The performance with the emulator is excellent and the game run smoothly fluid.

    Resident Evil 2 is clearly a survival horror masterpiece, a classic game that is reminder of an era, which provides a great quality, difficult to find today. I don't understand the criticism for GameCube version: I would have paid this game even 100 Euros, if I had the chance in 2003. We should be grateful for games like these, which in recent times are less and less.    … Full Review »
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