Resident Evil 2 (1998) Review Summary

Memorable character development: Players appreciate the character development and find the characters to be amazing and memorable, with a particular fondness for Leon S. Kennedy.

Enjoyable and smart gameplay: The game is widely praised for its enjoyable and smart gameplay design, offering high replayability and an exciting experience.

Nostalgic experience: The game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, bringing back childhood memories and excitement for its return.

Groundbreaking masterpiece: The game is often described as a groundbreaking and cultural masterpiece, setting new standards in the survival horror genre.

One of the best Resident Evil games: Many players consider this game to be one of the greatest in the Resident Evil series, often citing it as their favorite.

Poor controls and gameplay: Many players have reported issues with the game controls, including difficulty with controls, lack of auto-aim, and overall poor gameplay experience.

Game launch issues: Several players have reported that the game crashes on launch, especially on Linux, and there are issues with the launcher throwing errors.

Steam integration issues: There are multiple issues related to Steam integration, including the inability to take screenshots, lack of Steam overlay, and no Steam achievements.

Censorship in German version: The German version of the game has been criticized for its censorship, including cuts to death scenes and other content.

DRM issues: The presence of DRM, particularly Enigma DRM, has been criticized by players as unnecessary and problematic.

Different playthroughs based on character: The game offers different playthroughs depending on the character chosen, providing varied experiences and storylines.

Game mechanics and design: The game includes various mechanics like auto-aim, door skipping, and tank controls, along with a well-designed level layout.

Item management and scenarios: Item management is a key aspect, and the game features different scenarios like Claire's A Scenario and original B scenarios.

Classic survival horror mechanics: The game features classic survival horror gameplay mechanics, which are central to the player experience.

High replayability and difficulty: Players highlight the game's high replayability and difficulty, making it challenging and engaging for multiple playthroughs.

Steam Deck compatibility issues: The game has significant compatibility issues with Steam Deck, including not launching and general incompatibility problems.

Improved performance over classic version: The game runs better than the classic GOG version and has good technical performance overall.

Graphical issues reported: Players have reported pixelated graphics, poor color quality, and minor graphical issues.

Launch and crash problems: The game experiences crashes on launch, particularly on Linux systems and with Xbox joysticks.

Registry and launch options: The game requires changes in the Windows Registry Editor to work properly and lacks a normal launch option.

GOG version preferred: Many players recommend purchasing the game from GOG due to its perceived superiority over the Steam version, especially with the added benefit of mods.

Remake recommendation: Several reviews suggest buying or playing the 2019 remake instead of the original. Some players also recommend playing the original after experiencing the remake.

Request for additional content: Players have expressed interest in the Classic REbirth project and a request for Code Veronica, indicating a desire for more classic Resident Evil content.

Achievements requested: There is a request for the addition of achievements in the game, which can add to the replay value and engagement.

General purchase recommendation: A general recommendation to buy the games, without specifying a particular version or platform.

Game completion: 8.0h.

Story completion: 4.0h.

Session length: 2.0h.

Endgame: 4.0h.

Nostalgic Veteran: Reflects on past experiences and enjoys the game for its historical significance and personal memories. Motivation: Nostalgia and reliving past experiences. Stance: buy.

Enthusiastic Advocate: Encourages others to play and enjoy the game, often providing tips and recommendations. Motivation: Sharing the classic gaming experience with others. Stance: buy.

Technical Convenience Seeker: Seeks out games that are easy to access and play, with modern conveniences. Motivation: Convenience and modern gaming features. Stance: sale.

The game performance on Windows systems with less than 8GB VRAM is predominantly negative, with users reporting issues such as poor graphics, lack of features, and launch problems.

Windows <8GB VRAM: negative. Users report poor graphics, missing features, and launch issues.

Steam Deck: The game faces significant technical barriers on Steam Deck and Linux platforms, including launch issues, poor controller support, missing features like cloud saves and achievements, and compatibility problems with Proton. These issues collectively result in a frustrating user experience.

Linux and Proton: The game faces significant launch reliability and compatibility issues on Linux, primarily due to problems with the launcher and registry changes. While there are community-driven workarounds available, the overall experience is heavily impacted by these issues.