Lore - Characters & Factions
Welcome to the deep dive into the rich lore of Resident Evil 2 (Remake)! Understanding the key players and organizations involved in the Raccoon City incident isn't just for flavor; it can sometimes offer subtle hints about item locations, enemy behaviors, or even puzzle solutions. This section will provide a detailed overview of the main characters you'll encounter and the factions pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Playable Characters
Your journey through Raccoon City will primarily be experienced through the eyes of two distinct protagonists, each with their own unique narrative path and encounters.
- Leon S. Kennedy: A rookie police officer on his first day with the Raccoon City Police Department (RPD). Leon's story often involves navigating the RPD building and its surrounding areas, dealing with the immediate aftermath of the outbreak. His path frequently crosses with Ada Wong, leading to complex interactions and moral dilemmas.
- Claire Redfield: A college student searching for her brother, Chris Redfield, a member of the elite S.T.A.R.S. unit. Claire's route often takes her through the RPD, but also delves deeper into the city's infrastructure, including the orphanage and the sewers, where she encounters Sherry Birkin and her mother, Annette. Her narrative focuses heavily on protecting the innocent and uncovering the truth behind the outbreak.
Key Supporting Characters
Beyond the main duo, several other individuals play crucial roles in unraveling the mystery of Raccoon City.
- Ada Wong: A mysterious and enigmatic woman claiming to be an FBI agent investigating Umbrella. Ada's true motives are often shrouded in secrecy, and her interactions with Leon are a blend of cooperation and manipulation. Players will briefly control Ada during Leon's campaign, using her EMF Visualizer to solve puzzles and navigate specific areas. Keep an eye out for her signature red dress, which often signals a pivotal plot point.
- Sherry Birkin: A young girl and the daughter of Umbrella scientists William and Annette Birkin. Sherry is a central figure in Claire's campaign, becoming a ward that Claire must protect. Her connection to the G-Virus makes her a target for various factions. During Claire's story, you'll briefly play as Sherry, navigating the Orphanage and evading the monstrous Chief Irons.
- Annette Birkin: A brilliant virologist and William Birkin's wife. Driven by a desperate desire to protect her husband's research, Annette is a complex character who often acts as an antagonist to Claire, believing she is trying to steal the G-Virus. Her notes and research logs, found throughout the NEST laboratory, provide critical lore insights into the virus's development.
- Marvin Branagh: A gravely injured RPD officer who provides initial guidance to Leon and Claire. Marvin serves as a tragic figure, embodying the RPD's valiant but ultimately futile struggle against the outbreak. His last stand in the Main Hall of the RPD is a poignant moment that sets the tone for the game.
- Brian Irons: The corrupt and sadistic Chief of the Raccoon City Police Department. Irons is a deeply disturbed individual with a penchant for taxidermy and a secret alliance with Umbrella. He is a primary antagonist in Claire's story, particularly during the Orphanage section, where his depravity is fully revealed.
- Robert Kendo: The owner of Kendo's Gun Shop, a brief but impactful encounter for both Leon and Claire. Kendo provides a glimpse into the immediate, brutal impact of the outbreak on ordinary citizens.
Factions and Organizations
The Raccoon City incident is not merely a zombie outbreak; it's a consequence of corporate greed and governmental cover-ups. Understanding these factions is key to grasping the larger narrative.
- Umbrella Corporation: The pharmaceutical giant responsible for the creation of the T-Virus and the G-Virus. Umbrella's clandestine research and unethical experiments are the root cause of the Raccoon City disaster. Their influence permeates every aspect of the city, from the RPD to the sewers and the NEST laboratory. Documents and files scattered throughout the game, such as the "G-Virus Sample" file in the Lab, detail their horrific experiments and attempts to weaponize biological agents.
- Raccoon City Police Department (RPD): The local law enforcement agency, initially tasked with maintaining order. Overwhelmed and decimated by the outbreak, the RPD's efforts quickly turn to survival. Many officers, like Marvin, display immense bravery, while others, like Chief Irons, succumb to corruption and madness. The RPD building itself is a central hub for both campaigns, filled with evidence of their struggle.
- U.S. Government / FBI: Represented by figures like Ada Wong (though her true allegiance is ambiguous), the US government is attempting to investigate and contain the Umbrella Corporation's activities. Their involvement is often covert and driven by a desire to acquire Umbrella's bioweapons for their own purposes.
- The Birkin Family: While not a formal faction, the Birkins (William and Annette) represent a crucial, self-contained unit within Umbrella. William's obsession with his G-Virus research and Annette's desperate attempts to protect it drive a significant portion of the game's plot, particularly in Claire's scenario. Their personal notes and lab reports provide invaluable context for the G-Virus's origins and capabilities.