Resident Evil 2 PS4 Info – Everything You Need to Know

Though it tends to evoke negative connotations, one can’t help but notice that, when it comes to the Resident Evil franchise, Capcom has been burning the candle at both ends. First came the back-to-back release of Resident Evil and Resident Evil Zero on current-gen systems, as the Powers That Be dipped into the archives as a means of preserving the franchise’s time-honored legacy, all the while introducing the T-Virus to a new generation.

Then, there was Resident Evil 7, the latest addition to the undead family that reached new sales heights with an old formula: exploration-based survival horror. And therein lies Capcom’s strategy—its flagship horror series has been expanding in both directions as the studio serves up a combination of the old and the new.

Which brings us to Resident Evil 2, the latest example of the ongoing trend. It’s due to grace PS4 on January 25, and to ensure you’re fully up to speed, we’ve combed the four corners of the Internet (and the PSLS archives!) to present to you everything you need to know.

Resident Evil 2 will be summoned onto PS4, Xbox One, and PC on Friday, January 25.

Essential Reading:

Resident Evil 2 info

Resident Evil 2 – EYNTK

Let's get to it, shall we?
What is Resident Evil 2?

It's the horror classic from '98 that's just received a fresh lick of blood-red paint. Everything has been built from the ground up, too—characters, enemies, the intricate streets of Raccoon City—for what promises to be 2019's first gaming treat.
What's the Story?

The same one that kept you up at night 20 years ago, albeit with some tweaks and adjustments.

Via Capcom:

The original Resident Evil 2 was released in 1998 and has sold over 4,960,000 copies. The action centers around rookie cop Leon Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they fight to survive a mysterious viral outbreak within Raccoon City. The 1998 original was hailed as a gaming masterpiece and propelled Resident Evil into mainstream pop culture and the entertainment you know today.
How Does it Play?

Gone are the tank controls and fixed camera angles of '98 and in their place is a refined Resident Evil experience.

Here's what Capcom Europe COO Stuart Turner told GI.biz about evolving with the times:

We had discussions on whether we could make a game that was everything for everyone. For those guys who want tank controls and want fixed cameras... can we do that?

But the world has moved on and these players have changed. And if we did [introduce old school mechanics], these fans might play it and actually decide it's not what they wanted after all. But we played around with a few things in development. We did try first-person, we did try fixed camera. But the way the game has been designed, we decided that a third-person view works better.
A 10-Hour Campaign

Though it varies depending on your style of play, Resident Evil 2's core story mode typically lasts for around 10 hours, according to director Kazunori Kadoi.
A Sizable Dev Team

Here's a fun bit of trivia: based on sources close to the studio, more people worked on Resident Evil 2 (800) than Resident Evil 6, which demanded a 600-strong workforce back in 2012.
What Lies in the Shadows?

All sorts of undead nasties, as the recently released promos attest.

Per Capcom:

Driven by insatiable hunger, these creatures act on instinct,
gnashing their teeth, ripping at flesh, and devouring their victims.
The new immersive camera lets you feel their fangs as they sink into your flesh.
Familiar Faces, Old Threats

Ada Wong and the Tyrant are two key characters of Resident Evil 2, and they each get their time in the sun thanks to this extended gameplay clip.
Fan-Favorite Modes Making a Return

Remember The 4th Survivor and/or The Tofu Survivor? They're two weird and wacky game modes set to be included in Resident Evil 2 come release. Because who wouldn't want to wander around the desolate streets of Raccoon City as a block of tofu?
A Dose of Nostalgia

While Capcom has been banging the drum about Resident Evil 2 and its frankly incredible facelift, there are morsels of nostalgia sprinkled throughout the game for good measure. Case in point, the original costumes.
The 1-Shot Demo

As promised, Capcom premiered a sneak peek of Resident Evil 2 in the form of the 1-shot demo, and it was suitably terrifying. It also kept things short and sweet, offering players nothing more than a 30-minute mission.
2Scary4U?

Perhaps a short running time was part of the reason why only a third of players actually finished the demo? Either that, or RE2 is just too damn scary.
A Toned-Down Version For Japan

Early adopters in Japan will notice significantly less gore. That's no accident; RE2 was toned down in accordance with the country's no-nonsense approach to fictional violence.
Don't Believe the Rumors

Those alleged leaks of Resident Evil 2 from earlier this month? They're bogus. Pay them no mind.
Post-Launch DLC

After hitting 2 million demo downloads, word is Capcom is considering the possibility of post-launch DLC for RE2. Color us intrigued.
All of the Merch

If you're wanting to wear your heart on your sleeve and display your love of Resident Evil for all to see, then you may be interested in the merchandise on offer from Numskull.
Redbox Offering Day-One Rentals

If you're still undecided about RE2, Redbox has you covered. The rental service has notified its users that Resident Evil 2 will be available to rent on January 25, costing $3 per day.
Trophy List

The full Resident Evil 2 trophy list has been unveiled, and fair warning, it's riddled with spoilers.

Also, you will have to complete the game on hardcode mode if you're chasing that all-important Platinum.
Our Final Verdict

Lucas White handled the PSLS review of Resident Evil 2, and it's fair to say he fell head over heels for Capcom's remake, awarding it a 10/10 and the coveted Editor's Choice award.

Here's a snippet:

"Much like the legendary REmake, this new version of a storied classic was lovingly crafted by people who not only have a collectively sharp eye for what makes an excellent video game today, but also possess a deep understanding of why the original Resident Evil 2 is worth revisiting and what made it a game celebrated to this day."
A Metroidvania at Heart?

Hot on the heels of his official review, Lucas dove a little deeper into RE2 and raised the question: is Capcom's latest a Metroidvania at heart?
Update 1.01 and Classic Costumes

At just 535MB, Resident Evil 2's post-launch update won't cause you much trouble. It will, however, nix any lingering bugs and generally improve the game's overall performance.

There's also news of 'The Ghost Survivors' game mode and more classic costumes for Leon and Claire.
Every Resident Evil Game, Ranked

Join us as we crack open the Capcom vault and rank every major Resident Evil game ever to see the warm light of day.