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LttP: Resident Evil 2

I'd have to think about it, but Birkin ("G") might be one of my favorite creatures in the series. All five of his forms were so cool and fun to fight.

He's a mad scientist slowly being assimilated into a mindless monster that wants to impregnate his own daughter and that continually evolves, culminating in a Tetsuo-in-Akira-esque blob monster.

I think my favorite form is G3. Looks downright devilish, with the skull-like face and second set of arms arched like wings!
 
About a year ago when I replayed Resident Evil 2, I ran out of ammo on the last boss of Claire A and had to restart the game.

I even knew not to shoot and waste ammo on zombies before the police station. I even knew to use a grenade launcher to take out groups of zombies in one hit.

I was worried the whole time about ammo. I never had enough. That made the experience great and very scary. Even though I couldn't beat it in the end.
 
About a year ago when I replayed Resident Evil 2, I ran out of ammo on the last boss of Claire A and had to restart the game.

I even knew not to shoot and waste ammo on zombies before the police station. I even knew to use a grenade launcher to take out groups of zombies in one hit.

I was worried the whole time about ammo. I never had enough. That made the experience great and very scary. Even though I couldn't beat it in the end.

How'd you run out of ammo? The lab gives out so many grenade rounds
 
I'd have to think about it, but Birkin ("G") might be one of my favorite creatures in the series. All five of his forms were so cool and fun to fight.

He's a mad scientist slowly being assimilated into a mindless monster that wants to impregnate his own daughter and that continually evolves, culminating in a Tetsuo-in-Akira-esque blob monster.

I think my favorite form is G3. Looks downright devilish, with the skull-like face and second set of arms arched like wings!

The sound effects in the game were something else too. Most of the best ones revolved around Birkin as well.
 
We will never get an atmospheric Resident Evil game like this anymore, because the composer doesnt work there anymore and the directors also dont work there anymore. From now on everything is going to be Resident Evil 6 style with this franchise.
 
It's amazing that for the many ports of RE4 and the original RE remakes, that RE2 hasn't been remade yet, though I understand that's now in the works.
 
I played RE2 on Normal, which is the highest available difficulty when you start the game.

I'm looking forward to RE3. I played it for 10 minutes and loved it. The city feels huge and complex. Amazing atmosphere.

Remember to play RE3 on "Hard", since the "Hard" difficulty is practically a "Normal" one here.

First time I played RE3 I thought it was fantastic, if only because it's more RE2 which at the time was exactly what I wanted. But I agree that it doesn't hold up after receiving games like Code Veronica, REmake, and even RE0. I played it this year and while there are some genuine highlights (the Clock Tower, the hospital), it otherwise felt a fairly vanilla, comfortably stale experience. RE3 is easily the weakest of the classic style RE titles. But I'll still take the weakest classic RE over many, many games out there.

Eh, I disagree. While the story is kind of weak (although I wouldn't say it didn't add anything to the lore), gameplay wise (game mechanics) I find it to be the best out of all classic RE games. It improved greatly over RE2 in both fighting mechanics and puzzle mechanics: while it has only one scenario, it provides you with semi-randomized puzzles, semi-randomized enemy encounters and path branching. It also added a lot of improvements to controls (180 turn, walking up/down the stairs, dodges) and gameplay features (dodges, more zombie variations, ammo mixing, using environment to fight enemies) that were mostly ignored in CODE: Veronica.
 
I'm playing RE3 right now, on Hard. Just escaped the RPD. HOLY SHIT, that was tense. Nemesis follows you from room to room!! Made me scream, lol.
 
Yeah, RE2 is awesome.

I played the OG RE at a friend's house but RE2 was my frist true RE experience.
I was 10 and I didn't get "scared" but I did jump three times: MR. X's no wall's gonna stop me x2, Licker's magic mirror and Door animation with zombies surprise really got me.

I think REmake is a better game (just a tiny bit) but maybe because I find it more balanced and I like the characters more.

A month later I bought RE:DC and I was surprised to see it was the same game I played at my friend's house almost 2 years ago.

I've bee hooked to this series ever since.
 
Opinions can be wrong.

Yeah, like the RE3 shitting in this thread. RE2 is only praised so much because its the RE game that was played by most people back then, it got more ports and re-releases than any other, plus it has Leon so its often the only old style game RE4 jump-ins tried. RE3 is a better game in every way, being objective.




Ignore the RE3 shitting OP.

RE3 has nearly all the best mechanics of the series.

- Nemesis actually running and pursuing you through rooms (really makes the RE2 Tyrant seem hella shit in comparison with its slow walk and being a non threat by leaving the room)
- The gunpowder system giving total freedom how you want to play, more powerful weapons with less ammo, weaker weapons with lots of ammo, enhanced ammo, or a mix.
- Randomised puzzles, each playthrough the puzzle answers will change, making them actually puzzles still after the first playthrough.
- Depending on player choices during 'Special choice events' the story, character and enemy encounters, plus item locations can change.
- In addition to the above, just choices you make while playing can alter enemy and character encounters, story, hidden cutscenes, item locations and so forth.
- The above four combined easily make it the most replayable RE game in the entire series. You can play through the game so many times always having story and cutscenes change, and items moving around, and enemies where don't expect them. There are six versions of one particular cutscene alone, with location and parts of dialogue changing, and even more versions with quite different dialogue.

Plus there are numerous small advances the game makes that just makes it play better overall than RE1 and 2, small things like the 180 turn, or walking up/down stairs freely (which even CV went backwards on).
 
That makes me to play 1-2-3 instead to buy the boring 4-5-6.

Yeap I made my decision... looking on PSN.

OP plays the first RE instead REmake... you will enjoy it a lot.
 
Great post OP, really interesting reading into that much detail especially as it's over 17 years since it was released. I myself haven't played it since the PSone days. I tried my best to unlock the Umbrella Operative mission but after being a few mins over the required time I gave up.

Oh and personally, I really think it's worth playing Leon A/Claire B just for the subtle changes especially as you enjoyed it so much.

Btw did you get the shits when you went into the interrogation room? :-D
 
Yeah, like the RE3 shitting in this thread. RE2 is only praised so much because its the RE game that was played by most people back then, it got more ports and re-releases than any other, plus it has Leon so its often the only old style game RE4 jump-ins tried. RE3 is a better game in every way, being objective.




Ignore the RE3 shitting OP.

RE3 has nearly all the best mechanics of the series.

- Nemesis actually running and pursuing you through rooms (really makes the RE2 Tyrant seem hella shit in comparison with its slow walk and being a non threat by leaving the room)
- The gunpowder system giving total freedom how you want to play, more powerful weapons with less ammo, weaker weapons with lots of ammo, enhanced ammo, or a mix.
- Randomised puzzles, each playthrough the puzzle answers will change, making them actually puzzles still after the first playthrough.
- Depending on player choices during 'Special choice events' the story, character and enemy encounters, plus item locations can change.
- In addition to the above, just choices you make while playing can alter enemy and character encounters, story, hidden cutscenes, item locations and so forth.
- The above four combined easily make it the most replayable RE game in the entire series. You can play through the game so many times always having story and cutscenes change, and items moving around, and enemies where don't expect them. There are six versions of one particular cutscene alone, with location and parts of dialogue changing, and even more versions with quite different dialogue.

Plus there are numerous small advances the game makes that just makes it play better overall than RE1 and 2, small things like the 180 turn, or walking up/down stairs freely (which even CV went backwards on).
Yeah, I'm thoroughly enjoying RE3 so far.

It's legit scary, actually starving me for resources and throwing tons of dogs and zombies at me. Nemesis is terrifying and fired a goddamn RPG at me in the Marvin room. And the cityscape looks great, with much sharper image quality and tons of detail. The streets feel a great deal more gloomy and oppressive than RE2. I also like the dodge and quick turn, and the crafting system seems promising.

So far, RE3 shaping up to be a great companion piece to RE2. :)

edit: Another great detail: The music remains ominous during a Nemesis chase scene, even if you're in a safe room!
 
It probably goes without saying but if you're playing RE1 and you hear the DualShock audio, you should throw the game in the trash or delete it if you downloaded it.

You should immediately know because it'll sound really bad. The first RE had amazing music. Much better than REMake.
 
Yeah, like the RE3 shitting in this thread. RE2 is only praised so much because its the RE game that was played by most people back then, it got more ports and re-releases than any other, plus it has Leon so its often the only old style game RE4 jump-ins tried. RE3 is a better game in every way, being objective.

Funny how other, or more people playing the game has no bearing on the quality of it. Although to flip that, I wonder why more people were playing RE2 compared to RE3 on just the PSX alone? Series fatigue already? Doubtful.

It had a better cast, and a more interesting story. The pacing was also superior. The only thing that RE3 really improved on was the gunplay. Even then, it was no RE4.
 
Hmm interesting OP. I guess this would be the best place to ask: As someone who hasn't played this yet (or 3) should I just wait for the remakes or pick them up now? I purchased REmake but have yet to play it lol.
 
Man, RE3 is pretty damn scary so far. Just had my second Nemesis encounter. While RE2 didn't scare me at all, RE3 has me on edge, even with the dodge and quick turn.

Herbs are really scarce, too. Been hobbling along clutching my side for a while now.

Going from RE2 to RE3 feels like going from Dark Souls to Bloodborne. RE3 feels a lot more oppressive. Actual horror.
 
Hmm interesting OP. I guess this would be the best place to ask: As someone who hasn't played this yet (or 3) should I just wait for the remakes or pick them up now? I purchased REmake but have yet to play it lol.

Considering right now they're $1.50 each on PSN and the remakes will differ (RE1 and REmake are quite different). It's worth playing them now I think. Since the remake of 2 will still be a fresh experience rather than just a better graphic version (from what we know)
 
Uh, I just tried using the crank in RE3, and it broke...? LOL

Also, I have like six red herbs and no green herbs. Game is mocking me.
 
I hope that's not a wrench in your plans?

Aha, ahaha?
...I think I see what you did there.

Side note, these branching paths are neat. In restaurant, I fled into sewer, but sewer flooded, so I escaped through restaurant.

Now sewer is flooded and I can't get it to drain. Hmm...
 
Am I correct in assuming that RE3 blew minds visually at the time? Even now, these super-detailed backdrops are amazing.

Burning trolleys, fire trucks, police cars and buses everywhere. Huge variety of storefronts, signage, landscaping, etc. The gridlock traffic around the gas station and the restaurant interior are particularly impressive.

This would look insane with a remake. Hopefully Capcom will consider RE3, too.
 
Am I correct in assuming that RE3 blew minds visually at the time? Even now, these super-detailed backdrops are amazing.

Burning trolleys, fire trucks, police cars and buses everywhere. Huge variety of storefronts, signage, landscaping, etc. The gridlock traffic around the gas station and the restaurant interior are particularly impressive.

This would look insane with a remake. Hopefully Capcom will consider RE3, too.

Not really. Resi 1 was the game that blew people away visually. There was nothing like it at the time. Resi 3 was released very shortly after 2 and while it looks nicer, it wasn't as big an upgrade as 2 was over 1 in my opinion.
 
Not really. Resi 1 was the game that blew people away visually. There was nothing like it at the time. Resi 3 was released very shortly after 2 and while it looks nicer, it wasn't as big an upgrade as 2 was over 1 in my opinion.
I'm literally playing them back to back and it seems like a big upgrade to me, in terms of the level of detail. Maybe it's the increased number of outdoor environments that lend themselves to busier detail.
 
Am I correct in assuming that RE3 blew minds visually at the time? Even now, these super-detailed backdrops are amazing.

Burning trolleys, fire trucks, police cars and buses everywhere. Huge variety of storefronts, signage, landscaping, etc. The gridlock traffic around the gas station and the restaurant interior are particularly impressive.

This would look insane with a remake. Hopefully Capcom will consider RE3, too.

I didn't play RE3 until many years after its release and it impressed me even then.

IMO a RE3 remake is practically a given, since they'd be able to reuse all of the urban assets they're making for the RE2 remake. And RE2 remake is probably going to sell like crazy just from decades-long anticipation, and those positive sales numbers should help a RE3 remake get greenlit. Also, Nemesis is really iconic as a villain in this series, and has appeared in a Hollywood film - which might help convince the higher-ups.
 
It seems hard to believe now, but RE1 was quite the looker in 1996. 1.5 was the equidistant leap between RE1 and RE2, so going straight from one to the other was truly mindblowing. I'd put RE3's level of fidelity on the same level as RE2's.

For the next big leap in pre-rendered backgrounds, I'd point to something like Parasite Eve 2 or Dino Crisis 2.
 
The backgrounds in RE3 have a lot more stuff in them, but I wouldn't say they look much better than RE2 on a technical level, the jump from RE1 to RE2 was much bigger because some areas in the original looked straight up unfinished.

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But the number of different zombie models and the on-screen number of enemies are noticably improved in RE3.
 
I'm literally playing them back to back and it seems like a big upgrade to me, in terms of the level of detail. Maybe it's the increased number of outdoor environments that lend themselves to busier detail.

The backgrounds in RE3 are of a higher resolution depending on what version of the game you're playing. But there's not really an appreciable difference in quality between the PS1 versions. RE3 does have a lot more clutter in its backgrounds since it takes place on the streets for the most part.
 
I've been playing RE3 all day and I'm just loving this game.

The city feels so dynamic and alive. Previous areas seem to constantly update with new creatures, like a dog leaping out of a fire, or a bug-man crawling on a wall, or a zombie bursting out of a car (leaving gunpowder inside), or a horde feasting on a body, or wandering down an alley.

Just retrieved the machine oil from the gas station before it went up in flames. Awesome scene.

And while backtracking past City Hall, a gate burst open and three zombies spilled out. Beyond the gate, a courtyard with several green herbs. Sweet relief!
 
Am I correct in assuming that RE3 blew minds visually at the time? Even now, these super-detailed backdrops are amazing.

Burning trolleys, fire trucks, police cars and buses everywhere. Huge variety of storefronts, signage, landscaping, etc. The gridlock traffic around the gas station and the restaurant interior are particularly impressive.

This would look insane with a remake. Hopefully Capcom will consider RE3, too.

I replayed RE3 for gamecube recently (through wii component), and it looks amazing even now. The higher res textures for that verison (and DC too) make a huge difference.
 
Special costume with the hat and he would aim the handgun sideways.

Hunk, Tofu, then the DS version with the other extra game.

The first time I beat it and it said play the other disc, then did do it the other way.

So much to discover at the time.

One of my all time faves along with RE:DC.
 
I was scared to play this at first when I was little and parts of it now still get me. The mini games with Hunk and Tofu were different. Tofu is just weird as fuck. The scenarios where Mr.X chases after are the best.
 
Other way around; DC1 is 3D and DC2 is prerendered.

Fuck now I'm reminded I need to finish DC1 and get onto DC2

I bought DC1 too, but for some reason I never finished it so never bothered with #2. Don't mention #3 with dinosaurs in space either!
 
It seems hard to believe now, but RE1 was quite the looker in 1996. 1.5 was the equidistant leap between RE1 and RE2, so going straight from one to the other was truly mindblowing. I'd put RE3's level of fidelity on the same level as RE2's.

RE3 may seem to have bigger level of fidelity simply because of the scenario - a city in ruins is perfect to pack a lot of small details and give you more opportunity for scenes variety. Whereas in RE2 you spend only a couple of screens on the streets of Raccoon City, in RE3 you spend there most of the first halve of the game.

RE3 backgrounds also seem more... dynamic. You have more animated elements in the background (fire and smoke everywhere, a fountain of water rushing from a broken hydrant, leaves falling from trees, rain, moths flying around the lights, blinking neon signs etc.) so scenes don't look so static; a bigger amount of monsters and interactive elements also make the difference. The game has also more backgrounds transitions (e.g. the explosion at the gas station or the small earthquake caused by a certain boss) and more camera changes during cut-scenes (more unique shots that you wouldn't normally see during the gameplay).

On technical level the jump from RE2 to RE3 isn't as big as the one from RE1 to RE2, but those small details make the difference, help bringing those static backgrounds to life.
 
You are one lucky sod to be playing RE2 and RE3 for the first time, honestly. Great, great games. And have you played Dino Crisis 1 and 2 yet as well?
 
This and RE3 both have a fantastic atmosphere although 3's gameplay is not quite as solid.

RE3 had the most solid gameplay of them all. Remember the instant turn and the ability to evade attacks with timing, 2 amazing additions.

I would even say the weapon selection and spread in RE3 was a lot more fair than in 2, and the ammo synthesis system was really cool.
 
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