Resident Evil 2 Remake was a great experience that I loved. Not everything was perfect (why expand the sewers of all locations???), but it felt like the proper return of the series that was introduced with RE7. The formula reinvented is just too good to pass up.
But, well, it seems like we are on track for RE2 Remake to become the only one of its kind. RE3, just like the original, stayed true to its action-packed roots, becoming the Hollywood Blockbuster it always was. It's not a bad thing, but it's a different thing. We have had more than a decade of action Resident Evil, and it's a shame that we have to go back to it so soon.
This is why Resident Evil has to turn its head towards what was often considered the real Resident Evil 3 at the time (and in everything but name). Resident Evil: Code Veronica.
Code Veronica has been recently more and more panned for feeling like an old-school game compared to RE3 that introduced the dodge mechanic, quick-turning and other quality of life changes. But in 2020, this is a strength, not a flaw. CV was the closest experience we had in line with the original RE2. It kept its emphasis on puzzles, backtracking, atmosphere and slow-paced adventure rather than action. If RE3 was the throughline that led to RE4. CV was the throughline that took from RE2. And it's true. Code Veronica was still a proper Resident Evil game that felt at odds with its action-leaning brethren. And its importance in the canon cannot be ignored. It moved the needle of the overall storyline and reintroduced several characters.
Now, I know it brought all the Matrix stuff and immortal Wesker, but it genuinely doesn't matter. The story going in a direction did not mean the formula of the game went the same way. It was still a proper survival horror through and through. Code Veronica's only negative legacy to the canon was that the story jumped the shark, not that it influenced later games to become Jason Bourne, which is the easiest thing they can fix in a remake in the first place! They are in full control of the continuity they want to display for future games (and Wesker is the best villain the series has ever had so you should be thankful anyway)
Things Code Veronica did right:
The environments are still super cool with that aesthetic. It was far less grey than people tries to make it look like nowadays
You went from Nazi Island to Antarctica and in-between you had to use a fucking submarine
Good variety of enemies too
Also the music!!! What a great score it was. I remember how exhausting it was to go through the graveyard and prison at the beginning of the game, just to finally hear this soothing music to make me relax, with a tinge of dissonance to keep you on your toes
Also the tyrant boss theme was incredible too. So many good tracks to pull from
Honestly, there is so much more good to the game than bad. I'd say they only need better voice acting and make Steve more likeable and the experience itself would be far better. The potential to make it an incredible game is just there for everyone to see. I hope it happens one day.
But, well, it seems like we are on track for RE2 Remake to become the only one of its kind. RE3, just like the original, stayed true to its action-packed roots, becoming the Hollywood Blockbuster it always was. It's not a bad thing, but it's a different thing. We have had more than a decade of action Resident Evil, and it's a shame that we have to go back to it so soon.
This is why Resident Evil has to turn its head towards what was often considered the real Resident Evil 3 at the time (and in everything but name). Resident Evil: Code Veronica.
Code Veronica has been recently more and more panned for feeling like an old-school game compared to RE3 that introduced the dodge mechanic, quick-turning and other quality of life changes. But in 2020, this is a strength, not a flaw. CV was the closest experience we had in line with the original RE2. It kept its emphasis on puzzles, backtracking, atmosphere and slow-paced adventure rather than action. If RE3 was the throughline that led to RE4. CV was the throughline that took from RE2. And it's true. Code Veronica was still a proper Resident Evil game that felt at odds with its action-leaning brethren. And its importance in the canon cannot be ignored. It moved the needle of the overall storyline and reintroduced several characters.
Now, I know it brought all the Matrix stuff and immortal Wesker, but it genuinely doesn't matter. The story going in a direction did not mean the formula of the game went the same way. It was still a proper survival horror through and through. Code Veronica's only negative legacy to the canon was that the story jumped the shark, not that it influenced later games to become Jason Bourne, which is the easiest thing they can fix in a remake in the first place! They are in full control of the continuity they want to display for future games (and Wesker is the best villain the series has ever had so you should be thankful anyway)
Things Code Veronica did right:
- Stuck true to the roots of Resident Evil 2
- Reintroduced Claire and Chris
- Good variety of locations (Keep in mind RE0 just stuffed another mansion instead so CV was still high brow)
- GREAT music
- Lovely gothic horror atmosphere that made it different from the others (again, just look at what RE0 did next with its mindless rehashing of 1)
- Good bosses that could been made even better (Imagine a remake of the Tyrant fight in the plane deck!)
- Good enemy variety. The Bandersnatch can be made to become even better, we had classic enemies like the Hunter
- They can't remove spiders from a remake this time since it's a BOSS
The environments are still super cool with that aesthetic. It was far less grey than people tries to make it look like nowadays
You went from Nazi Island to Antarctica and in-between you had to use a fucking submarine
Good variety of enemies too
Also the music!!! What a great score it was. I remember how exhausting it was to go through the graveyard and prison at the beginning of the game, just to finally hear this soothing music to make me relax, with a tinge of dissonance to keep you on your toes
Also the tyrant boss theme was incredible too. So many good tracks to pull from
Honestly, there is so much more good to the game than bad. I'd say they only need better voice acting and make Steve more likeable and the experience itself would be far better. The potential to make it an incredible game is just there for everyone to see. I hope it happens one day.
