Overview

Get the lowdown on Resident Evil 2 (Remake)! Learn about gameplay, difficulty, and ranking systems to survive the zombie-infested Raccoon City.

Resident Evil 2 Remake is a total reimagining of the classic, ditching the clunky controls and fixed cameras while keeping the series' signature quirks like item boxes and combinable healing herbs. The game boasts a gorgeous engine that really makes the detailed level design shine, creating a surprisingly beautiful experience despite its dark, horror-filled aesthetic.

At its core, RE2 Remake is an action-adventure game packed with environmental puzzles. A huge part of the challenge comes down to resource management – you'll rarely have enough ammo for every threat. You'll constantly be deciding what to carry, what to leave behind, and where to stash it. While the gunplay feels great, the real test is knowing when to fight and when to make a run for it. Trying to take down every single enemy will eventually leave you completely stuck.

The game offers two protagonists, each with two scenarios (A and B), creating four distinct playthroughs. The 'A' scenario for one character and the 'B' scenario for the other form a pair, with another pair representing an alternate timeline. This setup provides fantastic replayability for what is a relatively short game; your first run might take around eight hours, but subsequent playthroughs can be completed in as little as three.

Difficulty Levels

You've got three main difficulty settings to choose from:

• Assisted: Features weaker enemies and aim assist. Your health even regenerates from Danger to Caution after a minute if you're low. You can take a fair few hits before facing a game over.
• Standard: Offers a solid challenge. Resource management and avoiding damage are key, but it generally feels fair, not masochistic. You can usually take two hits and survive, though some attacks will instantly put you in the Danger zone.
• Hardcore: This is where things get serious. Enemies are much tougher and more aggressive. You'll have less inventory space (14 slots instead of 20), and most attacks will send you straight to Danger. Saving is also restricted to limited Ink Ribbons, making every save crucial. The 'B' scenarios are particularly stingy with ribbons, so be prepared to curse the inability to save at times. Hardcore also removes checkpoints, which can make repeating difficult sections feel like a chore.

On top of these selectable difficulties, the game has a hidden dynamic system. If you're struggling, the game might subtly increase your weapon damage and decrease enemy aggression. Conversely, if you're breezing through, the difficulty might ramp up slightly.

Ranking System

After finishing a scenario, your performance is ranked, with completion time being the main factor. 'A' scenarios have more generous time limits than the slightly shorter 'B' scenarios.

Scenario	Time Limit for Ranking (H:MM)
	S	A	B
A	3:30	2:30	5:00	4:00
B	3:00	2:00	4:00	3:30

Scoring an S-Rank on Standard difficulty unlocks the Samurai Edge pistol with infinite ammo for future playthroughs. Achieving an S-rank on Hardcore difficulty rewards you with the LE 5 SMG, also with infinite ammo.

Your save count also matters for S+ ranks. If you meet the S-rank time requirement and save three times or less, you'll achieve S+. Earning S+ on Hardcore unlocks powerful bonus weapons: the Gatling Gun for Claire's scenarios and the ATM-4 rocket launcher for Leon's. Keep in mind that using infinite weapons like the Samurai Edge or LE 5 will disqualify you from achieving S+ rank, meaning you'll have already unlocked these bonuses by the time you could use them.

The Walkthroughs

Our walkthroughs cover all four scenarios in detail. We recommend starting with Leon's 'A' scenario. This walkthrough points out all collectibles and only provides puzzle solutions after you've found the relevant clues. If you were to start with Claire's 'A' scenario, the walkthrough would contain spoilers and wouldn't be as helpful in spotting the hidden Mr. Raccoon figures, as it assumes you've already found them and know the safe combinations.

After Leon 'A', you can choose either Claire 'A' or Claire 'B'. We guide you through Claire 'A' next because the 'B' scenarios are significantly tougher. Once you've completed both 'A' scenarios, you'll find the final Mr. Raccoon figure right at the start of your chosen 'B' scenario. Destroying this unlocks the Infinite Combat Knife, which is a huge help against the severe ammo shortages you'd otherwise face in the 'B' scenarios.