Resident Evil 2

 GameCube
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
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  1. 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, 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.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.    … Expand
  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. 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't have the same atmosphere.
  4. A.S
    Sep 20, 2005
    10
    This is a GREAT game. all the reviewers are rating it by todays standards which is fine but giving it 50% mostly because of the graphics is still stupid. I still think this game looks great to this day (though obviously not as good as remake, zero, 4). The gameplay is almost as good as the newer resident evils. If you are someone who wants to play resident evil and hasnt yet done so, then This is a GREAT game. all the reviewers are rating it by todays standards which is fine but giving it 50% mostly because of the graphics is still stupid. I still think this game looks great to this day (though obviously not as good as remake, zero, 4). The gameplay is almost as good as the newer resident evils. If you are someone who wants to play resident evil and hasnt yet done so, then i'd recommend one of the new resident evils rather than this, as you would probably be disappointed. but for all the resident evil fans like me who cant get enough of resident evil and want the whole collection on gamecube GET IT! I paid about AU$50 for this which is expensive for an old game i know, but for me i had to get it and am not disappointed. I had only played the PC version before (which was bad because you could easily tell the difference between backdrop and character models) and so i was expecting similar graphics but the Gamecube version looks much better because of better lighting and all round cleaner graphics (unless my PC version was just screwed up or something). Although it's not remade like REmake, it still looks great and its not something you're gonna be complaining about the whole time you play it. Once again its a great game, and if you want to get it on gamecube to complete the set then go for it!… Expand
  5. EvadN.
    Aug 3, 2006
    10
    Best survival/horror EVER! I got mine for 19.99. 19.99? You've got to be @#$% kidding me!
  6. Busao
    Jul 2, 2021
    0
    The perfect game, besides graphics, it holds up to this day flawlessly, fixed camera and tank controls are actually great, they complement each other perfectly and it is very fast to get used to them.
    This is a Must Play, no matter the platform you are playing it.
  7. FLASH3k
    Sep 5, 2004
    10
    A great game, leaves the sequel window open and leaves some questons for you to answer yourself, as for example when you unlock the 4th survivor Hunk- it never stops giving...
  8. MichaelD.
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    This game rocks.
  9. DanielM.
    Nov 3, 2004
    8
    Loses marks because of bad graphics, still a good game though.
  10. MohammadAli
    Nov 5, 2004
    10
    This is the Greatest Resident Evil of all time! What is the matter with you people? I bought this game for $45 and it was worth it. It is great that they created resident Evil 2 for gamecube, don't hate on it.
  11. REFR_MrTrent
    Mar 19, 2017
    8
    Un bon Resident Evil. Juste après les évènements du manoir dans la forêt, nous voici dans la fameuse ville de Raccoon City. La mise en scène et le scénario sont prenants, tout en offrant à l'époque un monde apocalyptique, avec les zombies qui infestent la ville. La musique est très prenante qui plus est, et l'ambiance globale porte le jeu. Bien que plus "action" en apparence, le joueurUn bon Resident Evil. Juste après les évènements du manoir dans la forêt, nous voici dans la fameuse ville de Raccoon City. La mise en scène et le scénario sont prenants, tout en offrant à l'époque un monde apocalyptique, avec les zombies qui infestent la ville. La musique est très prenante qui plus est, et l'ambiance globale porte le jeu. Bien que plus "action" en apparence, le joueur peut encore juger et diriger son aventure comme il veut. Et les monstres (Mr X, Birkin...) sont pas mal stressants la première fois. Bref un bon moment passé.

    Je lui mets moins que les épisodes 0, Rebirth et 7 juste pour l'ambiance un poil moins stressante au final. Mais le reste reste pas mal du tout dans l'ensemble. Et les 4 scénarios apportent une bonne idée. =)    … Expand
  12. LoletinAlexis
    Jun 3, 2018
    10
    Two stories divided into four, with an average of 16-20 hours, something impressive for a video game of 1998.
    Next to the original Resident Evil, the best stories of the saga.
  13. BeboFett
    Dec 18, 2018
    9
    RE2 has improved all technical aspect of his predecessor, along with the development of the plot and the new story, which involves more character. The control has been slightly improved. My first title in the series and the favorite for nostalgia.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Eurogamer
    40
    You'll find yourself cursing the lack of inventory spaces, and the inability to drop objects (which was only introduced in Resident Evil Zero), and all told the trip down memory lane merely serves to illustrate how far games have come generally, and how forgiving we must have been back then to put up with such wholly irritating fundamentals.
    Read full review
  2. Game Informer
    80
    Sound, suspense, storyline, and action make RE 2 a classic on any platform. [Apr 2003, p.89]
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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