View source for Resident Evil 2

{{Short description|1998 video game}}
{{About|the 1998 video game|the 2019 remake|Resident Evil 2 (2019 video game){{!}}''Resident Evil 2'' (2019 video game)|other uses|Resident Evil 2 (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = NTSC_Resident_Evil_2_Cover.png
| caption = North American cover art
| developer = [[Capcom]]{{efn|Ported to [[Nintendo 64]] by [[Rockstar San Diego|Angel Studios]], with support by Capcom Production Studio 3 and [[Factor 5]].}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Capcom}}|'''PlayStation, Dreamcast'''{{vgrelease|[[Japan|JP]]/[[North America|NA]]|Capcom|PAL|[[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]]}}'''Windows'''{{vgrelease|[[Japan|JP]]|Capcom/Tsukuda Original|[[North America|NA]]|Capcom|PAL|Virgin Interactive Entertainment}}'''Nintendo 64'''{{vgrelease|[[Japan|JP]]/[[North America|NA]]|Capcom|[[Europe|EU]]/[[Australia|AU]]|Virgin Interactive Entertainment}}'''GameCube'''{{vgrelease|[[Japan|JP]]/ [[North America|NA]]/[[Europe|EU]]/[[Australia|AU]]|Capcom}}'''Game.com'''<br />[[Tiger Electronics]]}}
| director = [[Hideki Kamiya]]
| producer = [[Shinji Mikami]]
| programmer = Yasuhiro Anpo
| artist = {{ubl|Isao Ohishi|Ryoji Shimogama}}
| writer = [[Noboru Sugimura]]
| composer = {{ubl|Masami Ueda|Shusaku Uchiyama|Syun Nishigaki}}
| series = ''[[Resident Evil]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Windows]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Dreamcast]], [[GameCube]], [[Game.com]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|January 21, 1998}}|'''PlayStation'''{{Video game release|NA|January 21, 1998|JP|January 29, 1998|PAL|April 29, 1998}}''Dual Shock Ver.''{{vgrelease|JP|August 6, 1998|NA|November 11, 1998}}'''Windows'''{{vgrelease|UK|February 18, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=EuroGold |url=http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210220535/http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-date=February 10, 2001 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=Gone Gold}}</ref>|JP|February 19, 1999|NA|March 4, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-02-03 |title=New Releases of 1999. |url=http://gonegold.com/golden/goldenfull99.shtml |access-date=2023-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010203120300/http://gonegold.com/golden/goldenfull99.shtml |archive-date=February 3, 2001 }}</ref>}}'''Nintendo 64'''{{Video game release|NA|November 16, 1999|JP|January 28, 2000|PAL|February 9, 2000}}'''Dreamcast'''{{Video game release|JP|December 22, 1999|PAL|April 28, 2000|NA|December 6, 2000}}'''GameCube'''{{Video game release|NA|January 14, 2003|JP|January 23, 2003|PAL|May 30, 2003}}}}
| genre = [[Survival horror]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Resident Evil 2'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as ''Biohazard 2'', stylized as {{nihongo|''BIOHAZARD 2''|バイオハザード2|Baiohazādo Tsū|lead=yes}}}} is a 1998 [[survival horror]] video game developed and published by [[Capcom]] for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]. The player controls rookie cop [[Leon S. Kennedy]] and college student [[Claire Redfield]], who must escape Raccoon City after its citizens are transformed into [[Zombie (fictional)|zombies]] by a [[biological weapon]] two months after the events of the original ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]]''. The gameplay focuses on exploration, puzzles, and combat; the main difference from its predecessor are the branching paths, with each [[player character]] having unique storylines, partners and obstacles.

''Resident Evil 2'' was produced by ''Resident Evil'' director [[Shinji Mikami]], directed by [[Hideki Kamiya]], and developed by a team of approximately 50 across 21 months. The initial version, commonly referred to as ''[[Resident Evil 1.5]]'', differs drastically; it was canceled at approximately two thirds completion because Mikami decided it was inadequate. The final design introduced a more cinematic presentation.

''Resident Evil 2'' received acclaim for its atmosphere, setting, graphics, audio, scenarios, overall gameplay, and its improvements over the original game, but with some criticism towards its controls, voice acting, and certain gameplay elements. It is widely listed among the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games ever made]]. It is the best-selling ''[[Resident Evil]]'' game for a single platform at more than {{nowrap|6 million}} copies sold across all platforms. It was [[Port (video gaming)|ported]] to [[Windows]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Dreamcast]], and [[GameCube]], and a modified [[2.5D]] version was released for the [[Game.com]] handheld. The story of ''Resident Evil 2'' was retold and built upon in several later games, and has been adapted into a variety of licensed works. It was followed by ''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]'' in 1999. A [[Resident Evil 2 (2019 video game)|remake]] was released for [[PlayStation 4]], Windows, and [[Xbox One]] in 2019.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Resident Evil 2 RPD.png|thumb|left|[[Gameplay]] of ''Resident Evil 2'', with [[Leon S. Kennedy]] engaging [[Zombies in Resident Evil|zombies]] in the [[police station]]<ref name="gameprops" />|alt=A young police officer is defending himself against a group of attacking zombies with a [[shotgun]]. The scene takes place in a small room decorated with pieces of art.]]''Resident Evil 2'' is a [[Third-person view|third-person]] [[survival horror]] game which features the same basic gameplay as its predecessor, ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]]''. Set in Raccoon City, a fictional town in the Midwestern Arklay Mountains, the game offers a choice of two protagonists - rookie police officer [[Leon S. Kennedy]] or college student [[Claire Redfield]] - as they attempt to survive a [[Zombies in Resident Evil|zombie]] outbreak in the city. The player explores Raccoon City while fighting monsters and solving puzzles.<ref name=gamespotps /> While the player characters may be equipped with [[firearm]]s, limited [[ammunition]] adds a tactical element to combat, forcing the player to choose between engaging or evading encounters.<ref name=gamespotps /><ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil 2 Instruction Manual |date=January 21, 1998 |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc]] |page=14 |section=Can't Survive? Try This}}</ref>

The game uses [[tank controls]], meaning that pressing up moves the character forward, down reverses, and left and right rotates, independently of the camera perspective.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 20, 2015 |title=A eulogy for tank controls |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-eulogy-for-tank-controls/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305202610/https://www.pcgamer.com/a-eulogy-for-tank-controls/ |archive-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref> On the status screen, the player can check the condition of the player character, view a map of the area, re-read obtained files, and equip or combine items.<ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil 2 Instruction Manual |date=January 21, 1998 |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc]] |page=9 |section=Status Screen}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil 2 Instruction Manual |date=January 21, 1998 |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc]] |page=11 |section=Condition}}</ref> The characters' current health can also be determined by their posture and movement speed. For example, a character will hold their stomach in pain if wounded, and will limp slowly if on the verge of death.<ref name="gamespotps" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Shawn |date=January 1998 |title=Zombies Ate My PlayStation |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=102 |pages=148–151}}</ref> The player character will take damage whenever they are caught by an enemy or hazard, and if they take too much damage, they will die, causing a [[game over]]. [[Herbs]] and first aid spray can be used to heal. Safe rooms scattered throughout the city contain [[typewriter]]s, where the player may spend [[ink ribbon]]s to save their progress, and item boxes that can store items, which are necessary because the player characters can only carry a limited number of items with them.<ref name="gamespotps" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil 2 Instruction Manual |date=January 21, 1998 |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc]] |page=11 |section=Item Box}}</ref>

Contrasting with Chris and Jill's different abilities in the previous game, Leon and Claire differ only in their starting key items (a [[lighter]] and a [[lockpick]], respectively). The game introduces a "Zapping System"<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ja:ザッピングシステム紹介 |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/bio2/zapping.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219100232/http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/bio2/zapping.html |archive-date=February 19, 2008 |access-date=November 2, 2010 |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |language=ja}}</ref> where the two player characters are each confronted with differing puzzles, plot threads, and encounters.<ref name="gamespotps" /> After finishing the "A Scenario" as one protagonist, the player will unlock the "B Scenario" for the other, elements of which change to reflect the A Scenario's events, e.g. killed enemies, solved puzzles, and hazards caused by player actions. This results in a total of four unique playthroughs, two for each character, which increases the game's replayability.<ref name="gamespotps" /> Each protagonist is joined by a support partner during the game. These characters accompany the protagonist in certain scenes, and are playable during short segments.<ref name="gameprops" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10402/characterstrategy.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Strategy Guide: Character Strategies |author=Pardi, Daniel |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=May 15, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309124410/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10402/characterstrategy.html |archive-date=March 9, 2012  }}</ref> Like the previous game, there are multiple endings, but unlike the previous game, which ending the player sees is determined solely by which of the four scenarios is being played.

The graphics are composed of [[Real-time computer graphics|real-time generated]] [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygonal]] characters and item [[3D modeling|models]], superimposed over [[pre-rendered]] backgrounds that are viewed from fixed camera angles.<ref name=gamespotps /><ref name=ignn64 />

After completing a scenario, the player is given a rank based on their playtime and the number of times they saved or used special healing items.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10798/rankings.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Strategy Guide: Ranking System |author=Pardi, Daniel |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=November 6, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227142644/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10798/rankings.html |archive-date=December 27, 2012}}</ref> Higher ranks may unlock additional weapons and costumes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10798/secrets.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Strategy Guide: Secrets |author=Pardi, Daniel |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=November 6, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309124157/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10798/secrets.html |archive-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref> ''Resident Evil 2'' contains two standalone missions: "The 4th Survivor" and "The To-fu Survivor". In both, the player must reach the goal while fighting every enemy along the way with only the default item loadout. The PlayStation version requires the player complete both scenarios with high ranks in order to unlock these missions, while the Dreamcast version has them accessible from the beginning.<ref name="igndc">{{cite web |last=Langan |first=Matthew |date=January 13, 2000 |title=Biohazard 2 (Import)&nbsp;– Dreamcast Review |url=http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/163/163373p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109061716/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/13/biohazard-2-import-2 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=January 29, 2009 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc}}</ref> All later versions, excluding the [[Nintendo 64]] version, have an additional "Extreme Battle" minigame, where the player, either as Leon, Claire, Ada or [[Chris Redfield]] from the first game, must plant four antivirus bombs around one of three maps while fighting through a gauntlet of enemies with limited supplies.<ref name="igndc" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Pardi |first=Daniel |title=Resident Evil 2 Strategy Guide: Survival Guide |url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10402/survivalguide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422035034/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10402/survivalguide.html |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2011 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc}}</ref>{{clear left}}

==Plot==
Depending on which order the scenarios are played in, the player experiences one of two courses of events which mutually contradict each other. This plot summary covers only the path followed by playing the Claire A and Leon B scenarios, which was suggested by Capcom to be the canon version of events.<ref>{{cite web  |author=GameTrailers |title=Resident Evil Retrospective: Episode 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_fwTOnfwQ4 |website=YouTube |date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=7 March 2022}} Event occurs at 5:35-6:22.</ref>

On September 29, 1998, two months after the events of the first ''Resident Evil'',<ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Marvin Branagh:''' About two months ago, there was this incident involving zombies in a mansion located in the outskirts of this city.}}</ref> most citizens of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern American]] mountain community of Raccoon City have been transformed into zombies by the [[T-virus]], a [[biological weapon]] secretly developed by the pharmaceutical company [[Umbrella Corporation|Umbrella]].<ref name="characters" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil Archives |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=[[BradyGames Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7440-0655-1 |page=253}}</ref> [[Leon S. Kennedy]], a Raccoon Police Department officer on his first day of duty, meets [[Claire Redfield]], a college student looking for her brother [[Chris Redfield|Chris]]. After being separated, Leon and Claire each make their own way to the Raccoon Police Station.<ref name="characters">{{cite book |title=Resident Evil Archives |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=[[BradyGames Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7440-0655-1 |pages=117–121}}</ref> They discover that most of the RPD has been killed,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Operation report 2:''' We're down to four people.}}</ref> and that Chris has left town to investigate Umbrella's headquarters in Europe.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Chris's diary:''' August&nbsp;24th: With the help of Jill and Barry, I finally obtained information vital to this case.&nbsp;... We talked it over, and have decided to fly to the main Umbrella HQ in Europe.}}</ref> They split up to look for survivors and find a way out of the city.<ref name="plotsummary">{{cite book |title=Resident Evil Archives |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=[[BradyGames Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7440-0655-1 |pages=39–58}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Leon S. Kennedy:''' There's no reason for us to stay any longer than necessary. Let's split up, look for any survivors and get out of here!}}</ref> While searching for an escape route, Claire meets a little girl, Sherry Birkin, who is on the run from an unknown creature, and Leon encounters [[Ada Wong]], who claims to be looking for her boyfriend John, an Umbrella researcher from [[Chicago]].<ref name="plotsummary" /><ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Ada Wong:''' I'm trying to find my boyfriend. His name's John. He was working for a branch office of Umbrella based in Chicago, but he suddenly disappeared six months ago. I heard a rumor that he's here in the city.}}</ref>

RPD Chief Brian Irons had been bribed by Umbrella to hide evidence of the company's experiments in the outskirts of the city. He concealed their development of the new [[G-virus]], an agent capable of mutating a human into the ultimate bioweapon.<ref name="plotsummary" /><ref name="irons">{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Claire Redfield:''' So it's true, you have been working with Umbrella. Then you must know about the G-virus. What is it? Tell me! '''Brian Irons:''' It's the agent that can turn humans into the ultimate bioweapons. Superior to the T-virus in every way. ... The monster that's been tearing my place apart is yet another product of the G-virus, an ultimate bioweapon.}}</ref> Leon has multiple encounters with a Tyrant, a monster air-dropped into the police station by Umbrella to seek the G-virus. Irons tries to murder Claire but is killed by a G-virus mutant. Claire and Sherry escape through the sewers and become separated. After splitting up with Leon, Ada finds Sherry and picks up a golden pendant the girl loses while running away. Further into the sewers, Ada reluctantly teams up with Leon again, after he insists on his duty to protect her. They encounter a middle-aged woman who fires at Ada, but Leon jumps between them and takes a bullet himself. Ada ignores the unconscious Leon and follows the woman, who reveals herself to be Sherry's mother Annette and the wife of [[William Birkin]], the Umbrella scientist who created the G-virus. In an attempt to protect his life's work from special agents sent by the Umbrella headquarters, he injected himself with the virus, which turned him into the malformed creature and is now chasing Sherry because of her genetic make-up.<ref name="plotsummary" /> Annette recognizes her daughter's pendant and attempts to take it from Ada. A fight ensues, during which Annette is thrown over a railing.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Annette Birkin:''' Where did you get that pendant? It looks exactly like the one I gave Sherry. '''Ada Wong:''' She dropped it. I've been holding onto it for her. '''Annette Birkin:''' Liar! Give it back to me!}}</ref> Ada learns that the golden locket contains a sample of the G-virus, and later&nbsp;– taken over by her emotions&nbsp;– returns to Leon, tending to his bullet wound.<ref name="characters" /><ref name="plotsummary" />

Meanwhile, Claire is reunited with Sherry and discovers that William has implanted his daughter with an embryo to produce offspring. Leon, Ada, Claire, and Sherry advance through an abandoned factory connected to Umbrella's secret underground research facility. An attack by William leaves Ada heavily wounded, and Leon explores the laboratory to find something to treat her.<ref name="plotsummary" /> He is interrupted by a psychotic Annette, who says that Ada's relationship with John was only a means of getting information about Umbrella because Ada is a spy sent to steal the G-virus for an unknown organization.<ref name="plotsummary" /><ref>{{cite video game |title=Biohazard 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd. |date=January 29, 1998 |language=ja |quote='''Annette Birkin:''' あの女はある組織の工作員よ。G-ウィルスを奪うために送られたスパイさ！ ... 研究員のジョンに近づいて、アンブレラの情報を盗み出していたのよ。 / That woman is an agent from the organization. A spy sent here to steal the G-virus! ... She got close to the research member John and began to steal information about Umbrella.}}</ref> Leon does not believe her, saying he trusts Ada. Just as Annette is about to shoot Leon, the Tyrant appears, and she retreats. Ada returns to save Leon and battles the Tyrant, which falls into a pit of molten metal. Ada is mortally wounded from the fight; she and Leon confess their love for each other before Ada stops breathing. Meanwhile, Annette tries to escape with another sample of the G-virus but is fatally wounded by her mutated husband; before she dies, she tells Claire how to create a vaccine that will stop the mutations caused by the embryo within Sherry. After preparing the cure, Leon and Claire reunite at an emergency escape train and inject Sherry with the vaccine, which saves her life. En route, Leon is assisted in terminating the now-mutated Super Tyrant by an unseen figure; Leon briefly thinks it is Ada, but is unable to positively identify her voice over the noise.<ref name="plotsummary" /><ref name="pendant" /> Grown to gigantic size, William follows Leon and Claire, but is destroyed when the train self-destructs.<ref name="plotsummary" /> After escaping from the city with Sherry, Leon intends to take down Umbrella, while Claire continues to search for Chris.<ref name="plotsummary" /><ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=January 21, 1998 |quote='''Leon S. Kennedy:''' It's over. '''Claire Redfield:''' No, I have to find my brother.}}</ref> [[List of Resident Evil characters#HUNK|HUNK]], one of the surviving special agents sent by Umbrella, completes his G-virus retrieval mission.<ref name="pendant" />

==Development==
Development of ''Resident Evil 2'' began one month after the completion of its predecessor in early 1996.<ref name="gamefan">{{cite book|last=Hodgson | first=David|title=Resident Evil 2 Survival Guide|publisher=Gamefan Books|year=1997|pages=106A–108A}}</ref> ''Resident Evil 2'' was developed by a group of about 45 people that later became part of [[Capcom Production Studio 4]].<ref name="famitsu" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Production Studio 4|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206023353/http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html|archive-date=February 6, 2005|publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]]|language=ja}}</ref> Director [[Hideki Kamiya]] led the team, which was composed of newer Capcom employees and over half of the staff from the original ''Resident Evil''.<ref name="gamefan" /><ref name="famitsu" /><ref name="research1.5" /> In the initial stages of development, producer [[Shinji Mikami|Shinji]] Mikami often had creative disagreements with Kamiya, and tried to influence the team with his own direction. He eventually withdrew into an overseeing role as producer, and only demanded to be shown the latest build once monthly.<ref name="researchmikami">{{cite book|title=Research on Biohazard 2 final edition|date=September 1, 1998|publisher=Micro Design Publishing Inc|isbn=978-4-944000-77-7|pages=152–153|language=ja|chapter=三上真司インタビュー}}</ref> The game took more than $1 million to create.<ref name="budget"/>

===''Resident Evil 1.5''===
[[File:Resident Evil 1.5.png|thumb|In ''Resident Evil 1.5'', an early version of the game, players controlled protagonist Elza Walker. The interior of the police station was completely different, with a more modern design.|alt=A young woman in a red and white racing suit is shooting at a pair of undead police officers, while two more enemies sneak up on her from behind. The office of the police station they are fighting in has sheets of paper scattered on the floor, and the whole scene features a bluish tint.]]{{Main|Resident Evil 1.5}}
The first footage of ''Resident Evil 2'' was shown at the [[V Jump]] Festival '96 in July.<ref>{{cite video |date=October 21, 1996 |title=Vジャン Vフェス'96ビデオ |medium=Videotape |language=ja |publisher=[[Shueisha Inc]]}}</ref> This build, later dubbed ''Resident Evil 1.5'' by Mikami, differed drastically from the final version.<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine |title=Resident Evil 2: New In-Depth Interview! |date=January 1998 |magazine=[[Tips & Tricks]] |issue=35 |publisher=[[LFP, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref name="research1.5">{{cite book |title=Research on Biohazard 2 final edition |chapter=消えた幻の「バイオ」、1.5Version |page=191 |date=September 1, 1998 |publisher=Micro Design Publishing Inc |language=ja |isbn=978-4-944000-77-7}}</ref> Its plot followed the same basic outline and features a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City two months after the events of the first game. However, Umbrella had already been closed as a consequence of its illegal experiments.<ref name="gamepro">{{cite magazine |date=February 1997 |title=Resident Evil 2: The Horror Continues |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[IDG Communications, Inc.]] |issue=101 |pages=36–37}}</ref>

The development team sought to retain the degree of fear from the original game, and introduced two characters without experience of terrifying situations: Leon S. Kennedy, largely identical to his persona in the final build, and Elza Walker, a college student and motorcycle racer vacationing in Raccoon City, her hometown.<ref name="research1.5" /><ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="rearchives" /><ref name="press" /> Unlike the final version, the character paths did not cross, and each character had two support partners instead of one.<ref name="rearchives" /> Leon received help from fellow police officer Marvin Branagh and researcher Linda – an early version of Ada – while Elza was aided by Sherry Birkin and John, who appears in ''Resident Evil 2'' as gun shop owner Robert Kendo.<ref name="rearchives" /><ref name="capcomdesign">{{cite book |title=Capcom Design Works |date=August 1, 2001 |publisher=[[Enterbrain, Inc]] |language=ja |isbn=978-4-7577-0412-1 |pages=22–30}}</ref> Mikami also revealed in 1996 that the sequel would have new monsters, and the number of  onscreen enemies would be increased to "around seven or more" to produce "the sensation of terror as the monsters swarm around the character".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Capcom: Video Game Legends Present Their New Challengers |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=11 August 1996 |issue=178 (September 1996) |pages=82–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_178_1996-09_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n81/mode/2up}}</ref>

Real-world examples influenced character designs by artists Isao Ohishi and Ryoji Shimogama. For example, Ohishi based Leon on his [[bloodhound]], and Annette Birkin on actress [[Jodie Foster]].<ref name="capcomdesign" /> The police station was smaller with a more modern and realistic design.<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="rearchives" /> There were more encounters with surviving policemen, such as a superior officer of Leon named Roy.<ref name="rearchives" /><ref name="capcomdesign" /> Enemy models used far fewer polygons,<ref name="famitsu" /> allowing many zombies to appear on the screen.<ref name="famitsu" /><ref name="research1.5" /> The game employed [[dynamic music]], and altered pre-rendered backgrounds in response to gameplay events.<ref name="gamepro" /> The playable characters could use equipment such as protective clothes to enhance their defense and enable them to carry more items.<ref name="gear">{{cite web |url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10798/refacts.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Strategy Guide: Resident Evil Facts |author=Pardi, Daniel |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=August 13, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309124354/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/10798/refacts.html |archive-date=March 9, 2012  }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=In der Mache: Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– Das Böse kehrt zurück... |date=February 1997 |magazine=Das Offizielle PlayStation Magazin |publisher=WEKA Computerzeitschriften-Verlag GmbH |issue=2/97 |language=de |quote='''Noritaka Funamizu:''' Wir haben zum Beispiel verschiedene Anzüge für die Spielfiguren integriert. So gibt es einen feuerfesten Overall und einen speziellen Kampfanzug, der das Mitführen mehrerer großer Waffen erlaubt. / For example, we have implemented different suits for the playable characters. There is a fire-proof overall and special combat gear that allows you to carry multiple large weapons.}}</ref> The character models were altered by costume changes and by damage received from enemies.<ref name="gear" />

Believing the game's assets were good individually, but not yet satisfactory as a whole, Mikami expected that everything would coalesce in the three months leading up to the projected May 1997 release date.<ref name="press">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970120062700/http://www.capcoment.com/buzzbin/pr/resevil2.html |url=http://www.capcoment.com/buzzbin/pr/resevil2.html |archive-date=January 20, 1997 |title=The Horror Spreads in Resident Evil 2 |date=November 25, 1996 |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc]]}}</ref><ref name="researchmikami" /> Soon after, ''Resident Evil 1.5'' was scrapped at 60–80 percent completion.<ref name="gamefan" /><ref name="famitsu" /><ref name="rearchives">{{cite book |title=Resident Evil Archives |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=[[BradyGames Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7440-0655-1 |pages=218–220}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil4/video/6112074/history-of-resident-evil |title=History of Resident Evil |date=November 2, 2004 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=August 12, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801071323/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil4/video/6112074/history-of-resident-evil |archive-date=August 1, 2010  }}</ref> Mikami later explained that the game would not have reached the desired quality on time, and that the gameplay and locations were dull.<ref name="gamefan" /><ref name="famitsu" /><ref name="researchmikami" />

[[File:Shinji Mikami April 2013 3.jpg|thumb|upright|Producer [[Shinji Mikami]] withdrew from his hands-on role in development after creative disagreements with the director.|alt=A photograph of a Japanese man wearing a baseball cap.]]

=== Development restarted ===
Mikami planned to end the series with ''Resident Evil 2''. Supervisor [[Yoshiki Okamoto]] criticized the story, finding it too conclusive to allow for future installments. Instead, Okamoto proposed the creation of a fictional universe that would turn ''Resident Evil'' into a [[metaseries]]&nbsp;– similar to the ''[[Gundam]]'' and ''[[James Bond]]'' franchises&nbsp;– in which self-contained stories with common elements could be told.<ref name="researchokamoto">{{cite book|title=Research on Biohazard 2 final edition|date=September 1, 1998|publisher=Micro Design Publishing Inc|isbn=978-4-944000-77-7|pages=147–149|language=ja|chapter=岡本吉起インタビュー}}</ref>

During a period in which the team made no progress rewriting the scenario, Okamoto was introduced to professional screenwriter [[Noboru Sugimura]], who was enthusiastic about the first game's story.<ref name="okamoto">{{cite web |url=http://okatuku.ciao.jp/diary/arc/bn2005_02.html |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wDuOXBSQ?url=http://okatuku.ciao.jp/diary/arc/bn2005_02.html |archive-date=February 3, 2011 |script-title=ja:訃報 | author-link=Yoshiki Okamoto | last=Okamoto | first=Yoshiki |date=February 26, 2005 |language=ja |publisher=[[Game Republic Inc]] |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Sugimura was initially consulted on a trial basis, but Okamoto was impressed by the ease with which Sugimara solved script problems, and soon asked him to compose the entire scenario for ''Resident Evil 2''.<ref name="famitsu" /><ref name="okamoto" /> One fundamental modification to the story was the reworking of Elza Walker into Claire Redfield, in order to introduce a connection to the plot of the first game.<ref name="gamefan" />

To fulfill Capcom's sales plan of two million copies, director Kamiya tried to attract new customers with a more ostentatious and [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood-like]] story presentation.<ref>{{cite book |title=Devil May Cry Graphic Edition |date=December 2001 |publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]] |language=ja |isbn=978-4-04-707071-4}}</ref> As Okamoto did not want to simply enforce the new direction, he had Sugimura discuss the plot revisions with Mikami and the development staff.<ref name="researchokamoto" /> The planners redesigned the game from the ground up to fit the changes, and the programmers and other remaining members of the team were sent to work on ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)#Director's Cut|Resident Evil Director's Cut]]'', which was shipped with a playable preview disc of the new ''Resident Evil 2'' version in order to promote the sequel and to apologize to the players for its belated release.<ref name="famitsu" /><ref name="iobh">{{cite book |title=Bio Hazard Perfect Guide: Inside of Bio-Hazard |chapter=On what grounds...? |pages=2–7 |date=March 1997 |publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] |language=ja |isbn=978-4-89366-659-8}}</ref>

Few assets from ''Resident Evil 1.5'' could be recycled, as the principal locations in the final build had been made to look more extravagant and artistic, based on photographs taken of the interiors of Western-style buildings in Japanese cities.<ref name="famitsu" /> The environments were created on [[SGI O2]] computers, and each background took two or three weeks to render. The maximum number of zombies displayed on the screen at one time was limited to seven, making it possible to use 450 polygons for the comparatively detailed models of Leon and Claire.<ref name="gamefan" /> The protagonists, instead of being given visible wounds, were made to limp slowly upon receiving heavy damage.<ref name="famitsu" /> Other than the graphics, one of the most important new features is the "Zapping System",<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The PlayStation |script-title=ja:インタビュー|date=June 1998 |language=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/residentevil2/ Translation])</ref> which was partly inspired by ''[[Back to the Future Part II]]'', a time travel-themed film sequel that offers a different perspective on the story of the [[Back to the Future|original film]]. The voice-overs by the all-Canadian cast of ''Resident Evil 2'' were recorded before the actual [[cutscene]]s were completed, with each of the actors selected from a roster of ten people per role.<ref name="researchkamiya">{{cite book |title=Research on Biohazard 2 final edition |chapter=神谷英樹絵コンテ&インタビュー |pages=131–146 |date=September 1, 1998 |publisher=Micro Design Publishing Inc |language=ja |isbn=978-4-944000-77-7}}</ref> Thereafter, the full-motion videos (FMVs) were created by filming [[Stop motion|stop-motion animations]] of [[action figure]]s, which were then rendered to completed pictures with computer graphics (CG) tools.<ref name="comicint">{{cite magazine |date=September 1998 |title=An Interview With Shinji Mikami |magazine=Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine |publisher=[[Image Comics, Inc.]] |issue=3}}</ref> Ada's movie model could not be finished in time. Thus, she is the only main character not to appear in a pre-rendered cutscene.<ref name="researchkamiya" />

Regional releases required several changes. The North American version contains more violent [[game over]] screens, which were removed from the Japanese ''Biohazard 2''. ''Resident Evil 2'' was made more difficult (and thus longer-playing) than its Japanese equivalent to prevent short-term rentals from affecting U.S. sales.<ref name="comicint" /><ref name="gamefan" /><ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 1998 |title=An Interview With Shinji Mikami |magazine=Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine |publisher=[[Image Comics, Inc.]] |issue=1}}</ref>

===Music===
{{See also|Discography of the Resident Evil video game series}}
{{listen
| filename     = Resident Evil 2 Raccoon City.ogg
| title        = "Raccoon City"
| description  = An 11-second sample of the composition "Raccoon City", demonstrating the game's use of music to create a specific type of atmosphere. In this particular piece, the leitmotif of the soundtrack is played by a [[French horn]].
}}

The music for ''Resident Evil 2'' was composed by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Syun Nishigaki, except one track composed by [[Naoshi Mizuta]].<ref name="credits" /><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Biohazard Sound Chronicle Best Track Box |year=2005 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPCA-10104~09}}</ref> The music conveys "desperation" as its underlying theme.<ref name="gamefan" /> In his role as lead composer, Ueda provided the [[Motif (music)|motifs]], and Uchiyama provided the horror-themed music for the investigation and movie scenes.<ref name="musicinterview">{{cite web |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/shusakuuchiyama.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921124823/http://squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/shusakuuchiyama.shtml |archive-date=September 21, 2010 |url-status=live |title=Interview with Shusaku Uchiyama & Takeshi Miura: A History of Resident Evil Music |author=Greening, Chris |date=March 2011 |publisher=Square Enix Music Online |access-date=March 26, 2011  }}</ref> The main theme, a versatile three-note [[leitmotif]], appears several times throughout the story, included in compositions such as "Prologue", "Raccoon City", and "The Third Malformation of G". Various musical styles, ranging from [[Ambient music|ambient]] horror to [[Industrial music|industrial]], represent the different game environments. For example, the streets of Raccoon City are emphasized with militaristic percussion-based music, and the police station features ominous piano underscores.<ref name="ostreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/biohazard2.shtml |title=Biohazard 2 Original Soundtrack: Review by Chris |author=Greening, Chris |work=Square Enix Music Online |access-date=October 17, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203101/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/biohazard2.shtml |archive-date=October 29, 2013  }}</ref> Key events of the story are supported with [[orchestral]] and cinematic compositions&nbsp;– a move that was inspired by [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster films]].<ref name="musicinterview" /><ref name="ostreview" />

Two albums containing music from the game were released in January and August 1998, respectively.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Biohazard 2 Original Soundtrack |year=1998 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPCA-1001}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Biohazard 2 Complete Track |year=1998 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPCA-1011}}</ref> The first, ''Biohazard 2 Original Soundtrack'', is the main release and includes most of the significant compositions.<ref name="ostreview" /> The second, ''Biohazard 2 Complete Track'', largely encompasses less prevalent themes, but offers an orchestral medley and a second CD with sound effects, voice collections, and an interview with the sound staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/biohazard2complete.shtml |title=Biohazard 2 Complete Track: Review by Chris |last=Greening | first=Chris |work=Square Enix Music Online |access-date=October 18, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030171135/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/biohazard2complete.shtml |archive-date=October 30, 2013  }}</ref> The European version of ''Biohazard 2 Original Soundtrack'' has an identical CD, ''Resident Evil 2 Original Soundtrack''. In the North American version, the opening theme "The Beginning of Story" is split into four individual tracks.<ref name="ostreview" /> Five orchestral arrangements were included on the ''Bio Hazard Orchestra Album'', a live concert performed by the [[New Japan Philharmonic]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Bio Hazard Orchestra Album |year=1999 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPCA-1034}}</ref> Disc jockey Piston Nishizawa created electronic remixes for several of the compositions, which were later released as the album ''Biohazard 2 Remix: Metamorphoses''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Biohazard 2 Remix: Metamorphoses |year=1999 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPLA-1001}}</ref>

===Marketing===
In Japan, marketing included a live action [[television commercial]] directed by renowned zombie film director [[George A. Romero]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=George Romero Returns to the Dead|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=114|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1998|page=32}}</ref> The commercial was filmed on location at [[Lincoln Heights Jail]] and starred [[Brad Renfro]] as Leon Kennedy and [[Adrienne Frantz]] as Claire Redfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/17/15983438/george-a-romero-resident-evil-commercial|title=Watch George A. Romero discuss his Resident Evil 2 commercial|first=Samit|last=Sarkar|date=17 July 2017|website=Polygon}}</ref> The game had a marketing budget of $5 million.<ref name="budget">{{cite web|url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_01/15_retwo/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000930133005/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_01/15_retwo/index.html|title=Capcom Logs RE2 Preorders|website=[[GameSpot]]|archivedate=September 30, 2000|date=January 15, 1998|accessdate=September 2, 2022}}</ref>

==Releases==
[[File:Sega-Dreamcast-VMU.jpg|thumb|upright|A port of ''Resident Evil 2'' to the [[Dreamcast]] added support for the Visual Memory Unit, which displays the condition of the player character.|alt=An image showing the Visual Memory Unit peripheral for Sega's Dreamcast console.]]

After its initial release for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in January 1998, ''Resident Evil 2'' was reissued and [[Port (video gaming)|ported]] to other systems, many gaining new features in the process.

===''Dual Shock Ver.''===
The first re-release is the ''Dual Shock Ver.'', which supports the vibration and analog control functions of the PlayStation's [[DualShock]] controller. Other additions include a new unlockable minigame called "Extreme Battle", and a "Rookie" mode that enables the player to start the main story with a powerful weapon and infinite ammunition. The Japanese release of the ''Dual Shock Ver.'' contains a "U.S.A. Version" mode based on the difficulty level of ''Resident Evil 2''{{'}}s Western versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/bio/bio.html |title=Bio Hazard 情報 |language=ja |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |access-date=August 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323053004/http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/bio/bio.html |archive-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ''Dual Shock Ver.'' served as the basis for the majority of ports, such as the [[Windows 9x]]-based PC-CD version ''Resident Evil 2 Platinum''. The PC version retains all previously added features and can be run in higher [[Display resolution|resolutions]].<ref name="gamespotpc" /> A "Data Gallery" was added to the main menu, allowing the player to view movies, rough sketches, illustrations, and 3D models.<ref name="gamespotpc" /><ref name="valueplus" /> In February 2006, a Japan-exclusive, [[Windows XP]]-compatible PC-DVD re-release was published. Developed by Sourcenext, it includes high-quality FMVs encoded at 640×480 pixels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sourcenext.com/products/capcom/bio2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109135536/http://www.sourcenext.com/products/capcom/bio2.html |archive-date=January 9, 2009 |url-status=live |title=Biohazard 2 PC |language=ja |publisher=Sourcenext Corporation |access-date=August 14, 2010  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20060124/bio.htm |title=ソースネクスト、カプコンのサバイバルホラーをPC向けに再移植、Win「Biohazard 2 PC」2月17日発売 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009000344/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20060124/bio.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |url-status=live |author=Funatsu, Minoru |date=January 24, 2006 |work=Game Watch |language=ja |publisher=Impress Watch Corporation |access-date=July 8, 2010  }}</ref>

The [[Dreamcast]] version keeps the additions from the original PC release, and incorporates real-time display of the character's condition on the [[Visual Memory Unit]] peripheral.<ref name="gamespotdc" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil 2 Instruction Manual |section=VM Status |publisher=[[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]] |date=April 28, 2000 |page=13}}</ref> The Japanese edition of the Dreamcast port has the subtitle ''Value Plus'' and a playable demo of ''[[Resident Evil – Code: Veronica]]''.<ref name="valueplus">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/value/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124080100/http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/value/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2001 |script-title=ja:バイオハザード 2 バリュープラス |language=ja |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |access-date=August 14, 2010 }}</ref> An unmodified port of the ''Dual Shock Ver.'' was released for the [[GameCube]].<ref name="allgamegcn">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38453&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115012804/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38453&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– Review (GameCube) |last=Marriott | first=Scott Alan |work=[[Allgame]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |access-date=August 19, 2010 }}</ref> The initial PlayStation version was re-released on the Japanese [[PlayStation Network]] in 2007, and the service's North American counterpart received the ''Dual Shock Ver.'' two years later.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Biohazard 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |date=December 26, 2007 |platform=[[PlayStation Network]] |language=ja |scene=title screen}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/19/playstation-store-update-112/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715081152/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/19/playstation-store-update-112/ |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=live |title=PlayStation Store Update |author=Chen, Grace |date=November 19, 2009 |work=PlayStation Blog |publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC]] |access-date=August 15, 2010  }}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 Dual Shock Ver |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |date=November 19, 2009 |platform=[[PlayStation Network]] |scene=title screen}}</ref>

===Nintendo 64===
Released on November 16, 1999, the [[Nintendo 64]] version of ''Resident Evil 2'' is one of the few games released for the console to have FMVs, overcoming the limited storage space on the cartridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meynink |first=Todd |date=2000-07-28 |title=Postmortem: Angel Studios' Resident Evil 2 (N64 Version) |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/postmortem-angel-studios-i-resident-evil-2-i-n64-version- |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-08-17 |title=n64.ign.com: Resident Evil 2 |url=http://ign64.ign.com/games/10798.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817120028/http://ign64.ign.com/games/10798.html |archive-date=August 17, 2000 }}</ref> The PlayStation version with two CD-ROMs of up to {{nowrap|700 MB}} per disc was faithfully replicated (with unique enhancements) on a {{nowrap|64 MB}} [[Nintendo 64 Game Pak]]. In the process, audio and video assets had to be more aggressively and creatively compressed, using novel techniques that shift the burden away from storage and toward the console's high real-time processing power.<ref name="Postmortem RE2 N64"/> Across twelve months and with a budget of $1&nbsp;million,<ref name="Postmortem RE2 N64">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3148/postmortem_angel_studios_.php |title=Postmortem: Angel Studios' Resident Evil 2 (N64 Version) |author=Meynink, Todd |date=July 28, 2000 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[United Business Media|United Business Media LLC]] |access-date=October 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021070818/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3148/postmortem_angel_studios_.php |archive-date=October 21, 2012  }}</ref> ''Resident Evil 2'' was ported to the console by a team led by nine full-time and one part-time personnel from [[Rockstar San Diego|Angel Studios]].<ref name="Postmortem RE2 N64" /> Further help was provided by ten staff from Capcom Production Studio 3 and [[Factor 5]].<ref name="productionstudio3">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Gemaga|Dorimaga]] |script-title=ja:三並達也インタビュー |language=ja |date=April 2002 |issue=5 |volume=10 |publisher=[[SoftBank Creative|SoftBank Creative Corp]]}}</ref><ref name="totalehrath">{{cite magazine |date=November 1999 |title=Angel Studios Interview: Resident Evil 2 |magazine=Total! |publisher=X-plain Verlag |language=de |pages=38–41}}</ref> This version offers features that were not included on any other system, such as alternate costumes, the ability to adjust the degree of violence and to change the blood color, a randomizer to place items differently during each playthrough, and a more responsive first-person control scheme.<ref name="ignn64" /><ref name="totalehrath" /><ref name="n64features" /><ref name="DF Retro: RE2"/> Additionally, the port features 16 new in-game documents known as the "Ex Files",<ref name="ignn64" /><ref name="n64features">{{cite web |url=http://www.angelstudios.com/games/re2/re2_features_add.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020609084201/http://www.angelstudios.com/games/re2/re2_features_add.html |archive-date=June 9, 2002 |title=Features of RE2 N64&nbsp;– Additions |publisher=[[Rockstar San Diego|Angel Studios]]}}</ref> written by Tetsuro Oyama.<ref name="credits">{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]]|developer2=[[Rockstar San Diego|Angel Studios]]|developer3=[[Factor 5|Factor 5, LLC]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=October 31, 1999 |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |scene=staff credits}}</ref> Hidden throughout the four scenarios, they reveal new information about the series' lore and connect the story of ''Resident Evil 2'' to those of the other installments, including some that had not been released yet.<ref name=ignn64 /><ref name=n64features />

The Nintendo 64 version adjusts its display resolution depending on the number of polygonal models currently on screen, and supports the [[Nintendo 64 accessories#Expansion Pak|Expansion Pak]] accessory for a maximum resolution of 640×480 during gameplay.<ref name="n64enhance">{{cite web |url=http://www.angelstudios.com/games/re2/re2_features_enhance.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020609084622/http://www.angelstudios.com/games/re2/re2_features_enhance.html |archive-date=June 9, 2002 |title=Features of RE2 N64&nbsp;– Enhancements |publisher=[[Rockstar San Diego|Angel Studios]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/068/068529p1.html |date=June 21, 1999 |title=The Resident Evil 2 Comparison |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=October 17, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324231210/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/22/the-resident-evil-2-comparison |archive-date=March 24, 2014  }}</ref> Other visual enhancements include smoother character animations and sharper, perspective-corrected textures for the 3D models.<ref name="n64enhance" /> This is the only version to use surround sound, with the soundtrack converted to [[Dolby Surround]] by [[Chris Hülsbeck]], Rudolf Stember, and Thomas Engel.<ref name="totalehrath" /> The team reworked the [[Sampling (music)|sound set]] from scratch to provide each instrument with a higher [[sample rate]] than on the PlayStation, resulting in higher-quality music.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=August 1999 |title=Chris Hülsbeck im Interview |magazine=Total! |publisher=X-plain Verlag |language=de |pages=62–65}}</ref> Some features from the other enhanced versions based on the ''Dual Shock Ver.'' do not appear in the Nintendo 64 version, such as the "Extreme Battle" minigame.<ref name="gamespotn64" /> In 2018, Eurogamer called this "one of the most ambitious [and impressive] console ports of all time".<ref name="DF Retro: RE2">{{cite web | title=DF Retro: why Resident Evil 2 on N64 is one of the most ambitious console ports of all time | first=John | last=Linneman | date=August 12, 2018 | website=Eurogamer | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2018-retro-why-resident-evil-2-n64-is-one-of-the-most-ambitious-ports-of-all-time | access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

===Other versions===
A port of ''Resident Evil 2'' for the [[Sega Saturn]] was developed at Capcom, with plans for it to use the console's 4 MB RAM cartridge,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Saturn Gets Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=105|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=April 1998|page=26}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=It's Coming: Resident Evil 2! |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=30|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=April 1998|page=6}}</ref> but technical difficulties led to its cancellation in October 1998.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ohbuchi, Yutaka |date=October 21, 1998 |title=RE2 for Saturn Canceled |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2465273.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731040824/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2465273.html |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=August 31, 2010 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]]}}</ref>

[[Tiger Electronics]] released a black and white [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]-based [[2.5D]] version for its [[Game.com]] handheld in late 1998.<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 |url=http://game.com/gamecom/re2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991012050906/http://game.com/gamecom/re2.htm |archive-date=October 12, 1999 |publisher=[[Tiger Electronics, Ltd]]}}</ref> It includes only Leon's story path, and lacks many of the original game's core features, including cutscenes and music.<ref name="igntiger">{{cite web |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/161/161169p1.html |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– Game.Com Review |author-link=Peer Schneider | first=Peer | last=Schneider |date=July 14, 1999 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=August 31, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025024257/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/15/resident-evil-2-6 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Aniel |first=Alex |title=Itchy, Tasty: An Unofficial History of Resident Evil |date=2021 |publisher=Unbound |isbn=978-1-78352-949-0 |location=London |pages=122–124 |oclc=1262572241}}</ref> This was the first ''Resident Evil'' game to be released on a handheld console.<ref name=":1" /> 

In February 2013, an unfinished [[Software build|build]] of ''Resident Evil 1.5'' was [[Internet leak|leaked onto the Internet]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-18-resident-evil-1-5-fan-project-releases-playable-build |title=Resident Evil 1.5 fan project releases playable build |author=Phillips, Tom |date=February 18, 2013 |work=[[Eurogamer.net]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network Ltd |access-date=April 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407100021/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-18-resident-evil-1-5-fan-project-releases-playable-build |archive-date=April 7, 2014 }}</ref>

On June 26, 2024, ''Resident Evil'' was released on [[GOG.com]], with ''Resident Evil 2'' released on August 27,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gog.com/en/news/reveal_of_the_rerelease_date_for_resident_evil_2 | title=Reveal of the re-release date for Resident Evil™ 2! | date=August 19, 2024 }}</ref> and ''Resident Evil 3: Nemesis'' released on September 25.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gog.com/en/news/reveal_of_the_rerelease_date_for_resident_evil_3_nemesis | title=Reveal of the re-release date for Resident Evil™ 3: Nemesis! | date=September 23, 2024 }}</ref> The titles were sold both individually and as a $24.99 bundle. The PC port is based on the ''Dual Shock ver.'' and includes high-resolution character models and an art gallery.<ref>{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=June 26, 2024|title=The original Resident Evil comes to PC, in all its unremastered glory|url=https://www.polygon.com/24185916/resident-evil-1-pc-original-version-capcom|website=Polygon}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| na = true
| PS = true
| N64 = true
| NGC = true
| PC = true
| SDC = true
| Allgame_PS = 4/5<ref name="allgameps" />
| Allgame_N64 = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19932&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005420/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19932&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2014 |website=[[AllGame]] |access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_NGC = 2.5/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38453&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115012804/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38453&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2014 |website=[[AllGame]] |access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_PC = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2: Platinum - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20956&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115153456/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20956&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2014 |website=AllGame |access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_SDC = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28624&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115012809/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28624&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2014 |website=[[AllGame]] |access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref>
| CVG_PS = (''CVG'') 5/5<ref name="cvg">[https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_198_1998-05_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n47/mode/2up Computer and Video Games - Issue 198 (1998-05)(EMAP Images)(GB)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br />(''CVG.com'') 9/10<ref name="cvgps" />
| CVG_PC = 9/10<ref name="gamerankingspc"/>
| EGM_PS = 9.375/10<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine |first1=Shawn |last1=Smith |first2=Kraig |last2=Kujawa |first3=John |last3=Ricciardi |first4=Dan |last4=Hsu |date=March 1998 |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=104 |page=124}}</ref>
| EGM_N64 = 8.62/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first1=John |last1=Ricciardi |first2=Crispin |last2=Boyer |first3=Dan |last3=Hsu |first4=Chris |last4=Johnston |date=December 1999 |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=125 |page=268}}</ref>
| EGM_NGC = 5.5/10<ref name="gamerankingsgc"/>
| EuroG_N64 = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor |first=Martin |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/residentevil2_n64 |title=Resident Evil 2 |website=Eurogamer.net |date=2000-04-22 |access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref>
| Fam_PS = 37/40<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/16/now-playing-in-japan-405 |title=Now Playing in Japan |date=June 15, 2000 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=April 23, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025002609/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/16/now-playing-in-japan-405 |archive-date=October 25, 2012  }}</ref>
| Fam_SDC = 34/40<ref>''Famitsu'', issue 576, page 31</ref>
| GameFan_PS = 291/300<ref name="gamefanps">''GameFan'', volume 6, issue 2 (1998), pages 16 & 16-47</ref>
| GameFan_N64 = 261/300<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[GameFan]] |date=December 1999 |volume=7 |issue=12 |url=https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume7Issue12December1999/page/n19}}</ref>
| GI_PS = 9.5/10<ref name="GI">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990910222746/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jan98&doc=re2 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jan98&doc=re2 |archive-date=September 10, 1999 |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– PlayStation&nbsp;– Review |author1=Anderson, Paul |author2=Reiner, Andrew |date=January 1998 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url-status=dead |publisher=Game Informer Magazine}}</ref>
| GI_N64 = 8.75/10<ref name="gamerankingsn64"/>
| GI_NGC = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=April 2003 |issue=120 |page=89}}</ref>
| GamePro_NGC = 3.5/5<ref name="gamerankingsgc"/>
| GMaster_PS = 90%<ref>''GamesMaster'', issue 244 (December 2011)</ref>
| GMaster_N64 = 90%<ref name="gmaster">''GamesMaster'', issue 90 (January 2000), page 109</ref>
| GMaster_NGC = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Delaney |first1=Roy |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] |date=June 2003 |issue=134 |page=100}}</ref>
| GMaster_PC = 81%<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Woods |first1=Dave |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=GamesMaster |date=March 1999 |issue=80 |page=98}}</ref>
| GMaster_SDC = 91%<ref name="gmaster"/>
| GSpot_PS = (US) 8.9/10<ref name="gamespotps"/><br />(UK) 9.2/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 PlayStation Review |url=http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/action/resevuk/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001214011500/http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/action/resevuk/review.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 December 2000 |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=15 May 1998 |access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref>
| GSpot_N64 = 8.9/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (N64) |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/1900-2543705/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=November 19, 1999 |access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref>
| GSpot_NGC = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (GC) |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/1900-2909320/ |website=GameSpot |date=January 21, 2003 |access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = (US) 7/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (PC) |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/1900-2532786/ |website=GameSpot |date=May 5, 2000 |access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref><br />(UK) 9.2/10<ref name="gamerankingspc"/>
| GSpot_SDC = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (DC) |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/1900-2540112/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=January 28, 2000 |access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref>
| IGN_PS = 9.3/10<ref name="ignps" />
| IGN_N64 = 9.1/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 |url=https://ign.com/articles/1999/11/25/resident-evil-2-4 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |date=25 November 1999}}</ref>
| IGN_NGC = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 |url=https://ign.com/articles/2003/01/29/resident-evil-2-3 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |date=29 January 2003}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 6.8/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 |url=https://ign.com/articles/1999/03/23/resident-evil-2-7 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |date=23 March 1999}}</ref>
| IGN_SDC = 8.5/10<ref>[http://ign.com/articles/2000/01/13/biohazard-2-import-2 Biohazard 2 (Import) - IGN<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005093038/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/13/biohazard-2-import-2 |date=October 5, 2015 }}</ref>
| NGen_PS = 5/5<ref name=NG39>{{cite magazine|title=Raising the Dead|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=39|publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=March 1998|page=110}}</ref>
| NGen_N64 = 4/5<ref name="NGv2n4">{{cite magazine|last=Fischer|first=Blake |title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=2|issue=4 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=December 1999|page=108}}</ref>
| NGen_SDC = 4/5<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Orlando|first=Greg |title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=4|issue=2 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=February 2001|page=76}}</ref>
| OPMUK_PS = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Play Test: Resident Evil 2 |magazine=[[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]] |date=1999 |issue=Platinum Special |pages=82–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/Official_UK_Playstation_Magazine_1999_Future_Publishing_GB_platinum_special/page/n81/mode/2up}}</ref>
| OPM_PS = 5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Ratings at a Glance |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=February 1999 |volume=2 |issue=5 |page=89}}</ref>
| PSM_PS = 5/5<ref name="PSM">{{cite magazine |title=Resident Evil 2 |magazine=PSM |date=March 1998}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| rev1_PS = 4/4<ref>{{cite news |title=Resident Evil 2 a chilling winner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/168679522/ | via=[[Newspapers.com]] | url-access=subscription | work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 29, 1998 |page=60}}</ref>
| GR_PS = 93%<ref name="gamerankingsps">{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 for PlayStation |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198458-resident-evil-2/index.html |website=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011035/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198458-resident-evil-2/index.html |archivedate=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
| GR_N64 = 87%<ref name="gamerankingsn64"/>
| GR_SDC = 80%<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 for Dreamcast |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/436972-resident-evil-2/index.html |website=GameRankings |access-date=4 August 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209001245/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/436972-resident-evil-2/index.html |archivedate=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GR_PC = 80%<ref name="gamerankingspc"/>
| GR_NGC = 63%<ref name="gamerankingsgc">{{cite web |title=Resident Evil 2 for GameCube |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/535837-resident-evil-2/index.html |website=GameRankings |access-date=4 August 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209000929/https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/535837-resident-evil-2/index.html |archivedate=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| MC_PS = 89/100<ref name="metacriticps">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Resident Evil 2 for PlayStation Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612213054/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psx/residentevil2 |archive-date=June 12, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_N64 = 89/100<ref name="metacriticn64">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-2/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64 |title=Resident Evil 2 for Nintendo 64 Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211114918/http://apps.metacritic.com/games/platforms/n64/residentevil2 |archive-date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_SDC = 77/100<ref name="metacriticdc" />
| MC_NGC = 59/100<ref name="metacriticgcn" />
}}

''Resident Evil 2'' received critical acclaim upon release. Its original PlayStation release holds an average aggregate score of 93% at [[GameRankings]] based on 25 reviews,<ref name="gamerankingsps"/> and 89 out of 100 points at [[Metacritic]] for both the [[PlayStation]] and [[Nintendo 64]] versions based on 13 reviews.<ref name="metacriticps" /> The majority of reviews praised ''Resident Evil 2'' for its atmosphere, setting, graphics, audio, and overall gameplay, but criticized its controls, voice acting, and certain gameplay elements.{{ref|b|[b]}}

''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine's Steve Key and Alex Huhtahla praised the gameplay, puzzles, horror, graphics, audio, and the scenario system's replay factor.<ref name="cvg"/> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' magazine's four reviewers agreed it was better than the original game, and said almost everything about the sequel is "flawless", including the gameplay, graphics, layout, level of detail, sound, frightful atmosphere, suspenseful story, and scenario system. They criticized the controls and menu system, but said the controls were an improvement over the original. The game tied with the PlayStation version of ''[[Point Blank (1994 video game)|Point Blank]]'' for their "Game of the Month".<ref name=EGM/> ''[[GameFan]]'' magazine's three reviewers praised the gameplay, tension, environments, graphics, voice acting, and scenario system.<ref name="gamefanps"/> ''[[Game Informer]]'' magazine's three reviewers praised the concept, graphics, sound, playability, and entertainment.<ref name="GI"/> ''[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine|PSM]]'' magazine praised the puzzles, monsters, and weapons.<ref name="PSM"/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' called it "the must-own title of the year", saying it made leaps over the original game in terms of longevity and graphics while retaining the original's core appeal.<ref name=NG39/>

''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Ricardo Sanchez said that the game's atmosphere was "dead on", and that "[the] graphics, sound effects, music, and level design all work together to create a spooky, horror-filled world".<ref name="ignps" /> Ryan Mac Donald of ''[[GameSpot]]'' shared the opinion, and found the game to be "like a product out of Hollywood". He said that it was "more an interactive, cinematic experience than a video game".<ref name="gamespotps" /> Writing for ''[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]]'', Paul Mallinson considered the atmosphere, story, and film-like presentation its most outstanding features, and though he found its plot to be "far-fetched", he said it was "kept down to earth by clever scripting and gritty storytelling".<ref name=cvgpc>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/3359/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110704140940/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/3359/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/ |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (PC) |last=Mallinson | first=Paul |date=August 13, 2001 |work=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |access-date=October 31, 2010  }}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]'' staff writer Mike Weigand called the narrative "engrossing and dramatic", and the dialogue "well-written" and "spell-binding".<ref name="gameprops" /> ''IGN''{{'}}s Sanchez, ''[[GameSpy]]''{{'}}s Brian Davis, and ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Martin Taylor praised the "Zapping System" for adding to the story and increasing the [[replay value]].<ref name="ignps" /><ref name="gamespygcn">{{cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-2/5580p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213145614/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-2/5580p1.html |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (GameCube) |author=Davis, Brian |date=January 31, 2003 |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment, Inc]] |access-date=January 29, 2009}}</ref><ref name=eurogamern64>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/residentevil2_n64 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006110312/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/residentevil2_n64 |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (Nintendo 64) |last=Taylor | first=Martin |date=April 22, 2000 |work=[[Eurogamer.net]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network Ltd |access-date=October 31, 2010  }}</ref> Mac Donald said that the idea of actions in the first scenario affecting the second was "cool in concept", but underused.<ref name="gamespotps"/>

''Resident Evil 2'' was also praised for its graphics, which many critics said were a substantial improvement upon those of the first installment.<ref name=EGM/><ref name="gameprops">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/53571/resident-evil-2/ |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (PlayStation) |author=Major Mike |date=March 1998 |issue=114 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=GamePro Media, Inc |pages=92–93 |access-date=January 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219164142/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/53571/resident-evil-2/|archive-date=February 19, 2009}} [online version dated April 20, 2003]</ref><ref name="gamespotps" /><ref name="ignps" /><ref name=NG39/> Sanchez and Weigand said that the pre-rendered backgrounds were an impressive leap ahead of those in the original ''Resident Evil'', due to their increased detail and interactivity.<ref name="gameprops" /><ref name="ignps" /> ''Next Generation'' said that the character models now stood out less from the backgrounds.<ref name=NG39/> Shawn Smith of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' found the rendered cutscenes far preferable to the live action ones of the original.<ref name=EGM/> Mac Donald praised the model animations for having reached "true realism", and commended the use of body language as a means of seamlessly communicating the condition of the protagonists' health.<ref name="gamespotps" /> ''[[Allgame]]''{{'}}s Shawn Sackenheim awarded its graphics the highest possible score, as he found the backgrounds to be "rendered to perfection", the cutscenes "a work of art", and the animation "fluid and eerie".<ref name="allgameps" /> The audio was well received by critics. Weigand cited it as an "excellent accompaniment to the visuals".<ref name="gameprops" /> Sanchez went as far as to say that ''Resident Evil 2'' "may have the best sound design yet for a console game".<ref name="ignps" /> ''Next Generation'' said it had "the most precise and realistic sound effects ever heard in any game".<ref name=NG39/> Sackenheim described the music and sound effects as "spot on perfect" and the soundtrack "perfectly composed",<ref name="allgameps" /> and Mac Donald likened the use of audio to that of classic horror films.<ref name="gamespotps" />

A common point of criticism was the inventory system, which Sanchez called "a pain". He disliked the player's need to retrieve objects from item boxes,<ref name="ignps" /> and Mac Donald criticized the system for being unrealistic, as the boxes are magically interconnected and all items take the same amount of space when being carried, regardless of their size.<ref name="gamespotps" /> Furthermore, Mallinson and Mac Donald disapproved of certain puzzles, as out of place in a police station setting.<ref name="gamespotps" /><ref name="cvgpc" /> Sanchez said that the puzzles were paced better than in the first game, but less interesting and too easy for experienced players.<ref name="ignps" /> ''Next Generation'' praised the game's massive length and said that the differences between each character's scenario were great enough to make the replay value ten times greater than that of the original, which used a similar two-scenario system.<ref name=NG39/> Sackenheim said the game was brief, and remarked that the individual scenarios are not different enough to hold the interest of casual players until the end of the game. He found the controls to be "easy to pick up and play",<ref name="allgameps" /> and Sanchez said that aiming weapons was difficult.<ref name="ignps" /> Some reviewers panned the voice acting, calling it "cheesy", "terrible", and "barbaric".{{ref|c|[c]}}

With the exception of the critically acclaimed Nintendo 64 version,<ref name="gamerankingsn64">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/198457-resident-evil-2/index.html |title=Resident Evil 2 for Nintendo 64 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510150405/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/198457-resident-evil-2/index.html |archive-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="metacriticn64" /> most later releases of ''Resident Evil 2'' have received slightly lower scores than the PlayStation version.{{ref|d|[d]}} Weigand advised players who already owned ''Resident Evil 2'' to rent the ''Dual Shock Ver.'' for the "Extreme Battle" minigame, and recommended that newcomers buy the updated edition instead of the original release.<ref name="gameprodualshockver">{{cite magazine |url=http://gamepro.com/article/reviews/295/resident-evil-2-dual-shock-version |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624092027/http://gamepro.com/article/reviews/295/resident-evil-2-dual-shock-version |archive-date=June 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2: Dual Shock Version Review |author=Weigand, Mike |date=January 1, 2000 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=GamePro Media, Inc |access-date=October 31, 2010}}</ref> The Windows version was praised for its additional content, but criticized for not allowing the player to save at will, and for lacking updated backgrounds to fit the higher in-game resolution.{{ref|e|[e]}} ''Eurogamer'' said that version's total elimination of CD-ROM load times make the game "extremely fun and simple".<ref name="DF Retro: RE2"/> The Nintendo 64 version was widely commended for the technical achievement of fitting a two-disc game on a single {{nowrap|512-[[Mbit]] (64MB)}} cartridge. However, Taylor criticized this version for retaining scenes from the PlayStation version that were used to conceal its CD-ROM loading times&nbsp;– a technical disadvantage absent from cartridge.{{ref|f|[f]}} ''GamePro'' writer "The Freshman" was impressed with the enhanced graphics of the Nintendo 64 version, but was disappointed by its heavily compressed FMVs.<ref name="gamepron64" /> ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Joe Fielder found the compression to be forgivable given the cartridge format, and that the new exclusive features made up for the lack of the "Extreme Battle" mode.<ref name="gamespotn64" /> ''Eurogamer'' said the Nintendo 64's unique analog control "works supremely well to the point where it's borderline game-breaking".<ref name="DF Retro: RE2"/> ''IGN'' reviewer Matt Casamassina applauded the implementation of Dolby Surround support, and called the Nintendo 64 release the "best version of the game".<ref name="ignn64" /> In 2018, ''Eurogamer'' called it "one of the most ambitious [and impressive] console ports of all time".<ref name="DF Retro: RE2"/>

The clearer sound effects of the Dreamcast port were received well by ''[[GameRevolution]]''{{'}}s Shawn Sparks, who also remarked that the character models look slightly sharper.<ref name="gamerevolutiondc">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/dreamcast/resident-evil-2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124030502/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/dreamcast/resident-evil-2 |archive-date=January 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for the Dreamcast |last=Sparks | first=Shawn |date=February 1, 2001 |work=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=AtomicOnline, LLC |access-date=January 28, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, Steve Key of ''Computer And Video Games'' disliked the Dreamcast release's low-resolution backgrounds, which he thought made the characters stand out too much from the environments, and thus lessened the atmosphere.<ref name="cvgdc">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/2089/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110704142645/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/2089/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/ |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (Dreamcast) |last=Key | first=Steve |date=August 8, 2001 |work=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |access-date=January 29, 2009  }}</ref> ''GameSpot'' staff writer James Mielke said that the Dreamcast port was not "an essential purchase", but still a "great game" at an attractively low price.<ref name="gamespotdc">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for Dreamcast |author=Mielke, James |date=January 28, 2000 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411145101/http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |archive-date=April 11, 2009  }}</ref> The GameCube release was heavily criticized for its high price and dated graphics.{{ref|g|[g]}} However, "Four-Eyed Dragon" of ''GamePro'' noted its superior in-game visuals compared to any other version.<ref name="gameprogcn">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/28767/resident-evil-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607144528/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/28767/resident-evil-2/ |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (GameCube) |author=Four-Eyed Dragon |date=April 2, 2003 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=GamePro Media, Inc |access-date=January 28, 2009  }}</ref> Davis and ''[[1UP.com]]''{{'}}s Mark MacDonald were disappointed by the version's lack of features that were included in the Nintendo 64 release.<ref name="gamespygcn" /><ref name="1upgcn" /> [[Peer Schneider]] of ''IGN'' found the 2.5D version for the Game.com to be frustrating and only "partially faithful" to the original release of ''Resident Evil 2''. Although he believed that its graphics and sound effects managed to recreate the original game's atmosphere to a certain extent, he thought that its controls were too "sluggish" to allow for an enjoyable experience.<ref name="igntiger" />

===Sales===
''Resident Evil 2'' was promoted with a {{US$|5,000,000|long=no|link=yes|1998|round=-5}} advertising campaign. In Italy, the game reached 100,000 [[pre-order]]s, worth over 12 billion [[Italian lira|lire]] or {{US$|6,600,000|long=no|1998|round=-5}}.<ref name=RE2it2/> It became the fastest-selling video game in North America. On the weekend following its release, more than 380,000 copies were sold, grossing {{US$|19,000,000|long=no|1998|round=-6}}. It therefore surpassed the opening revenue of all but one [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood movie]] at that time and broke previous sales records set by the video games ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Carrier | first=Rhonda |title=The Guinness Book of Records 1999 |date=September 10, 1998 |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |isbn=978-0-9652383-9-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/guinness1999book00slgu/page/170 170] |quote=''Resident Evil 2'' from Capcom Entertainment sold more than 380,000 units in its debut weekend&nbsp;– more than 60% of its initial production. It made more than $19 million, surpassing the revenue of all but one Hollywood movie for the same weekend. The game was released on January 21, 1998 for the Sony PlayStation, and broke records set by some of the industry's biggest video games, including ''Final Fantasy VII'' and ''Super Mario 64''. ''Resident Evil 2'' was supported by a $5-million advertising campaign. |url=https://archive.org/details/guinness1999book00slgu/page/170 }}</ref> After one and a half months, the game's global sales had topped 3 million copies, with 1.9 million sold in Japan and over a million sold in the United States.<ref name=mils>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000307200655/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/24_resevil/index.html | url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/24_resevil/index.html | title=''Resident Evil 2'' Scores | last=Mullen | first=Micheal | date=March 24, 1998 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=March 7, 2000 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Weekly Famitsu'' named it Japan's best-selling game for the first half of 1998, with sales of 2.13 million units.<ref name=firsthalf98>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302201923/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_08/20_densha/index.html | url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_08/20_densha/index.html | title=First Half '98 Top Ten Japanese Games | last=Ohbuchi | first=Yutaka | date=August 20, 1998 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=March 2, 2000 | url-status=dead }}</ref> By August 1998, 2,298,814 copies were sold in Japan.<ref name="TV">{{cite book |chapter=97年9月～98年8月 |trans-chapter=1997.09~1998.08 |title=TV Game Ranking Databook: 1995.9~1998.8 |date=15 December 1998 |publisher=[[:ja:ベストセラーズ|ベストセラーズ]] (Bestsellers) |isbn=978-4-584-16090-9 |page=19 |chapter-url=https://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/M/MULTi88/20200928/20200928080910.jpg |language=ja}}</ref> According to [[The NPD Group]], it was 1998's sixth best-selling game in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1998: The Golden Year|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|date=April 1999|issue=117|page=110}}</ref> At the 1999 Milia festival in [[Cannes]], ''Resident Evil 2'' took home a "Gold" prize for revenues above {{€|29 million}} or {{US$|{{To USD|29|EUR|year=1998|round=yes}},000,000|long=no|1998|round=-6}} in the [[European Union]] during 1998.<ref name=eccsell>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990830171428/http://www.gamespot.com/milia/0212/ecc/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com:80/milia/0212/ecc/index.html | title=Milia News; ECCSELL Awards Name Winners | author=Staff | work=[[GameSpot]] | date=February 12, 1999 | archive-date=August 30, 1999 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 1, 2019 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> With 4.96&nbsp;million copies sold, the original PlayStation version of ''Resident Evil 2'' was a commercial success, and is the franchise's best-selling game on a single platform.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605002550/http://capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Business Strategies & IR Data: Platinum Titles |date=September 30, 2010 |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |access-date=December 7, 2018 }}</ref> By March 1999, approximately {{nowrap|11 million}} units of all versions of ''Resident Evil'' and ''Resident Evil 2'' had been sold worldwide,<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 1999 |url=https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/Annual1999.pdf#page=5 |publisher=[[Capcom]] |year=1999 |page=8 |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> including 810,000 copies of ''Resident Evil 2: Dual Shock Ver.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/fy2000b.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509135452/http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/fy2000b.pdf |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |url-status=live |title=FY1999 Financial Results |page=5 |date=May 2000 |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |access-date=November 2, 2010  }}</ref> In Japan, 17,973 copies of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube versions were sold.<ref>{{cite web |title=Game Search |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |website=Game Data Library |publisher=[[Famitsu]] |access-date=18 October 2021}}</ref> In the United States, 326,397 copies of the Nintendo 64 version were sold.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nintendo 64 US Sales (1995-2003) |url=http://www.gamepilgrimage.com/N64ussales.htm |website=Game Pilgrimage |publisher=[[The NPD Group]] |access-date=18 October 2021}}</ref>

===Accolades===
''Resident Evil 2'' was a finalist at the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]]' [[1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards]] for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Console Action Game of the Year]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Console Adventure Game of the Year]]",<ref name="Finalists1998">{{cite web |title=The Award - Updates |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090128fw_/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |archive-date=June 15, 1998 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but lost to ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', respectively.<ref name="Winners1998">{{cite web |title=The Award - Winners |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |archive-date=June 15, 1998 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'}}s 1998 Gamers' Choice Awards, ''Resident Evil 2'' was the runner-up for [[Adventure game|Best Adventure Game of the Year]] and Readers' Choice [[List of Game of the Year awards|Best PlayStation Game of the Year]], behind ''[[Metal Gear Solid (1998 video game)|Metal Gear Solid]]'' which won in both award categories.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1998 Gamers' Choice Awards|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|date=April 1999|issue=117|pages=107–114 (109)}}</ref> The [[Video Software Dealers Association]] nominated it for Video Game of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 12, 1998|title=VSDA Announces Nominations for 1998 Home Entertainment Awards|url=http://www.vsda.org/newsite/vsdacontent/CONFAB4.HTM|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980613214745/http://www.vsda.org/newsite/vsdacontent/CONFAB4.HTM|archive-date=June 13, 1998|access-date=2021-11-09|website=[[Video Software Dealers Association]]}}</ref>

''Resident Evil 2'' has been held in high regard in the years following its initial release, and was named the fourth best game on the PlayStation by ''[[Famitsu]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/088/088060p1.html |title=Famitsu Weekly PlayStation Top 100 |date=November 20, 2000 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=November 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805230154/http://psx.ign.com/articles/088/088060p1.html |archive-date=August 5, 2011  }}</ref> It is listed as one of the 100 best games of all time by ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (62nd), ''IGN'' (58th), ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' (49th), ''[[Game Informer]]'' (34th), and ''[[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]'' (6th).{{ref|a|[a]}} Readers of ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' voted ''Resident Evil 2'' the 97th top retro game, and the staff wrote it was "considered by many to be the best in the long-running series".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Your Top 100 Games (part one) |date=December 2004 |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=8 |page=60 |publisher=Live Publishing Int Ltd.}}</ref>

===Controversy===
In Italy, ''Resident Evil 2'' was temporarily banned in 1999 following criticism from the political organization "Movimento Diritti Civili" (Civil Rights Movement) for its realistic depiction of violence, with the law enforcement agency [[Guardia di Finanza]] seizing over 5,500 unsold copies.<ref name=RE2it1>{{cite web|author=Toniutti, Tiziano|language=it|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/giochi/evil/evil/evil.html|title=Caccia agli zombie, ma non in Italia (Hunting zombies, but not in Italy)|date=May 12, 1998|access-date=August 13, 2018|website=[[la Repubblica]]}}</ref><ref name=RE2it2>{{cite web|author=Vinci, Elsa|language=it |url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/giochi/evil/elsa/elsa.html|title=Evil, stop al videogame: "Zombie troppo violenti" (Evil, stopping the video game: "Zombies are too violent")|date=June 19, 1999|access-date=August 13, 2018|website=[[la Repubblica]]}}</ref> [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] asked for a re-examination of the seizure decree, and the ban was lifted a few months later.<ref name=RE2it3>{{cite web|language=it |title=Videogiochi controversi e l'Italia: i casi più eclatanti (Controversial video games and Italy: the most striking cases)|author=Angel Rogue|date=January 19, 2018|access-date=August 13, 2018|website=Lega Nerd|url=http://leganerd.com/2018/01/19/videogiochi-controversi-litalia-casi-piu-eclatanti/}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Resident Evil 2'' is the basis of several [[Intellectual property license|licensed]] works and later games. Ted Adams and [[Kris Oprisko]] loosely adapted it into the comics "Raccoon City&nbsp;– R.I.P." and "A New Chapter of Evil", which were released in the first and second issues of ''Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine'' in March and June 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Raccoon City&nbsp;– R.I.P |magazine=Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine |date=March 1998 |publisher=[[Image Comics, Inc.]] |issue=1 |author1=Adams, Ted |author2=Oprisko, Kris }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=A New Chapter of Evil |magazine=Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine |date=June 1998 |publisher=[[Image Comics, Inc.]] |issue=2 |last1=Adams |first1=Ted |last2=Oprisko |first2=Kris |author-link2=Kris Oprisko }}</ref> The 60-issue [[Hong Kong]] comics ''Biohazard 2'' was published weekly from February 1998 to April 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=生化危機2 |language=zh |issue=1–60 |date=February 1998 – April 1999 |title=Resident Evil 2|publisher=King's Fountain Ltd}}</ref> A romantic comedy retelling of the game's story, centered on Leon, Claire and Ada, was released as the [[Taiwan]]ese two-issue comic ''Èlíng Gǔbǎo II'' ({{lit|Demon Castle II}}).<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=惡靈古堡II |language=zh |issue=1 |title=Resident Evil 2|date=January 11, 1999 |publisher=[[Chingwin Publishing Group|Ching Win Publishing Co., Ltd.]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=惡靈古堡II |language=zh |issue=2|title=Resident Evil 2 |date=February 12, 1999 |publisher=[[Chingwin Publishing Group|Ching Win Publishing Co., Ltd.]]}}</ref> ''Resident Evil: City of the Dead'', a 1999 book written by [[S. D. Perry]], is a more direct adaptation of the narrative, and is the third release in her series of ''Resident Evil'' novelizations, published by [[Pocket Books]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil: City of the Dead |author-link=S. D. Perry | last=Perry | first=Stephani Danelle |date=May 1999 |publisher=[[Pocket Books]] |isbn=978-0-671-02441-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/cityofdead00perr }}</ref>

The [[mobile game]] ''Resident Evil: Uprising'' contains a condensed version of the ''Resident Evil 2'' story, adapted by Megan Swaine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Resident+Evil:+Uprising/review.asp?c=16741 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125203150/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Resident+Evil%253A+Uprising/review.asp?c=16741 |archive-date=November 25, 2009 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil: Uprising review | last=Spencer | first=Spanner |date=November 15, 2009 |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |access-date=November 3, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil: Uprising |developer=[[Capcom Interactive Canada, Inc]] |publisher=[[Glu Mobile]] |date=September 8, 2009 |scene=staff credits}}</ref> ''[[Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles]]'', an [[on-rails shooter]] released for the [[Wii]] in 2009, includes a scenario named "Memories of a Lost City", which [[reimagine]]s the original ''Resident Evil 2'' plot while retaining key scenes from the game's four scenarios.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-darkside-chronicles-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019165506/http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-darkside-chronicles-review |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |title=RE: Darkside Chronicles Review |last=Barnholt | first=Ray |date=November 17, 2009 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]] |access-date=November 3, 2010  }}</ref> In 2008, ''[[Resident Evil 5]]'' producer [[Jun Takeuchi]], who had previously worked on the series as weapons designer and graphics animator, alluded to the possibility of a full-fledged [[Video game remake|remake]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/interview/2008/vol01/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909204425/http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/interview/2008/vol01/index.html |archive-date=September 9, 2011 |url-status=live |title=Developer Interview 2008: vol01.Jun Takeuchi |date=September 30, 2008 |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |access-date=February 7, 2011  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/resident-evil-5_0_7?page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609025029/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/resident-evil-5_0_7?page=2 |archive-date=June 9, 2009 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 Hands On |last=Reed | first=Kristan |date=November 13, 2008 |work=[[Eurogamer.net]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network Ltd |access-date=February 5, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/jun-takeuchi-resident-evil/46044 |title=Jun Takeuchi Interview II |date=February 27, 2009 |work=[[GameTrailers]] |publisher=[[MTV Networks]] |access-date=February 5, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013105707/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/v7g5vi/resident-evil-5-jun-takeuchi-interview-ii |archive-date=October 13, 2012  }}</ref> Such a project had already been considered for the GameCube in 2002, but Mikami abandoned the idea as he did not want to delay the in-development ''[[Resident Evil 4]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |script-title=ja:三並達也×三上真司 独占対談 |magazine=ハイパーカプコンスペシャル |date=June 11, 2002 |publisher=Sony Magazines Inc. |language=ja}}</ref>

''Resident Evil 2'' appears in the British sitcom ''[[Spaced]]'' in the episode "[[List of Spaced episodes|Art]]", in which a character hallucinates that he is fighting a zombie invasion. ''Spaced'' director [[Edgar Wright]] cited this episode inspired by ''Resident Evil 2'' as the basis for his [[zombie comedy]] film ''[[Shaun of the Dead]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web|date=23 January 2016|title=12 Killer Facts About Shaun of the Dead|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/74230/12-killer-facts-about-shaun-dead|access-date=31 May 2019|website=[[Mental Floss]]}}</ref>

The [[story arcs]] introduced in ''Resident Evil 2'' continue in drama albums and later game releases. Kyoko Sagiyama, Junichi Miyashita, Yasuyuki Suzuki, Noboru Sugimura, Hirohisa Soda, and Kishiko Miyagi&nbsp;– screenwriters employed by Capcom's former scenario subsidiary [[Flagship (company)|Flagship]]&nbsp;– created two [[radio drama]]s, ''Chiisana Tōbōsha Sherry'' ("The Little Runaway Sherry") and ''Ikiteita Onna Spy Ada'' ("The Female Spy Ada Lives"). The dramas were broadcast on [[Radio Osaka]] in early 1999, and later released by publisher [[Suleputer]] as two separate CDs, ''Biohazard 2 Drama Album''.<ref name="sherryalbumbooklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Biohazard 2 Drama Album: Chiisana Tōbōsha Sherry |year=1999 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPCA-1023}}</ref><ref name="sherrysummary">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211090249/http://suleputer.capcom.co.jp/sulehome/lineup/cpca1023.htm |archive-date=December 11, 2004 |title=バイオハザード2 ドラマアルバム&nbsp;– 小さな逃亡者シェリー |date=March 1999 |language=ja |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]]|url=http://suleputer.capcom.co.jp/sulehome/lineup/cpca1023.htm }}</ref><ref name="adaalbumbooklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Biohazard 2 Drama Album: Ikiteita Onna Spy Ada |year=1999 |language=ja |publisher=[[Suleputer]] |id=CPCA-1025}}</ref><ref name="adasummary">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021214171920/http://suleputer.capcom.co.jp/sulehome/lineup/cpca1025.htm |url=http://suleputer.capcom.co.jp/sulehome/lineup/cpca1025.htm |archive-date=December 14, 2002 |title=バイオハザード2 ドラマアルバム&nbsp;– 生きていた女スパイ・エイダ |date=April 1999 |language=ja |publisher=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]]}}</ref> ''Chiisana Tōbōsha Sherry'' begins shortly after the events of the game. Sherry is separated from Claire while fleeing from Umbrella soldiers sent to kill all witnesses of the viral outbreak. Raccoon City is burned down by the [[U.S. Government]] and Umbrella in an attempt to cover up the disaster. Sherry seeks refuge in the neighboring town of Stone Ville, and later escapes to Canada with the help of a girl named Meg, who vows to help her reunite with Claire.<ref name="sherryalbumbooklet" />

''Ikiteita Onna Spy Ada'' is set a few days after ''Resident Evil 2'', and deals with Ada's mission to retrieve Sherry's pendant with the G-virus sample, which is said to be in the possession of HUNK in the backstory of the drama album. Ada intercepts the delivery of the locket in France, and kills HUNK and his men. As a consequence of an accidental T-virus leak in Loire Village, the destination of the delivery, Ada is forced to retreat to an old castle. Along with a unit of the [[French Air Force]] sent to burn down the village, she encounters Christine Henry, the Umbrella facility director who gave HUNK the order to deliver the G-virus to France.<ref name="adaalbumbooklet" /><ref>{{cite video game |title=Biohazard 2 |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]]|developer2=[[Rockstar San Diego|Angel Studios]]|developer3=[[Factor 5|Factor 5, LLC]]|publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd. |date=January 29, 2000 |language=ja |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |quote='''指令書:''' ハンク特殊工作員に以下の指令を命ず: ラクーン市郊外にある我が社の研究施設に侵入し、ウィリアム・バーキン博士が所持していると思われるG－ウィルスのサンプルを奪取せよ。 ... サンプル入手後はロワール村にて受け渡しを行う。 ... フランス支部施設所長 クリスチーヌ・アンリ / '''Written orders:''' Special agent HUNK is assigned to the following orders: Invade the company's research facility on the outskirts of Raccoon City, seize the G-virus sample assumed to be in the possession of Dr. William Birkin. ... After the sample is obtained, it is to be delivered to Loire Village. ... French Branch Facility Director Christine Henry}}</ref> Jacob, the leader of the airborne unit, is revealed to be Christine's co-conspirator. However, he plans to keep the G-virus sample for himself, and shoots her. Philippe, another member of the unit, convinces Ada to give him the pendant, after which he injects himself with the G-virus to give himself the power to stop Jacob. Ada escapes and realizes her feelings for Leon, deciding to quit the spy business and return to him.<ref name="adaalbumbooklet" /> The characters' story arcs are continued differently: Sherry is taken into custody by the U.S. Government immediately after the events of ''Resident Evil 2'', and Ada keeps the pendant with the G-virus and resumes her activities as a spy.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]] |developer=[[Capcom Co., Ltd]] |publisher=[[Capcom Entertainment, Inc.]] |date=November 11, 1999 |scene=Epilogue Files}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Resident Evil Archives |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=[[BradyGames Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7440-0655-1 |pages=120, 129}}</ref> Hunk successfully delivers a separate G-virus sample to Umbrella.<ref name="pendant">{{cite book |title=Resident Evil Archives |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=[[BradyGames Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7440-0655-1 |pages=129, 137}}</ref>

=== Remake ===
{{Main|Resident Evil 2 (2019 video game)}}
In August 2015, Capcom announced that a [[Resident Evil 2 (2019 video game)|remake]] of ''Resident Evil 2'' was in development.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Senior|first1=Tom|title=Resident Evil 2 Remake is in development|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/resident-evil-2-remake-is-in-development/|website=PC Gamer|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=January 25, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134449/http://www.pcgamer.com/resident-evil-2-remake-is-in-development/|archive-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref> Capcom unveiled the game at [[E3 2018]], with trailers and gameplay footage, and a worldwide release date of January 25, 2019 for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=Resident Evil 2 remake revealed, coming January 2019 |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/11/17443046/resident-evil-2-remake-trailer-release-date-e3-2018 |website=Polygon |date=June 11, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Resident Evil 2 announced for PS4, Xbox One, and PC |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/06/resident-evil-2-announced-ps4-xbox-one-pc |website=Gematsu |date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> The game uses the RE Engine, which is also in ''[[Resident Evil 7: Biohazard]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/12/e3-2018-resident-evil-2-remake-release-date-announced|title=E3 2018: Resident Evil 2 Remake Release Date Announced|last=Osborn|first=Alex|date=June 11, 2018|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> and replaces the [[tank controls]] and fixed camera angles with "over-the-shoulder" gameplay similar to ''[[Resident Evil 4]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-resident-evil-2-remake-is-familiar-but-ter/1100-6459801/|title=E3 2018: Resident Evil 2 Remake Is Familiar But Terrifying In New Ways|last=Espineli|first=Matt|date=June 12, 2018|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==

{{Refbegin}}
:{|
| {{note|a}} Reference group a<ref>{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2003/51-60.html#58 |date=May 2, 2003 |title=IGN's Top 100 Games of All Time |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=November 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028154657/http://top100.ign.com/2003/51-60.html#58 |archive-date=October 28, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100greatestgames/?title=49/|title=49. Resident Evil 2- The 100 Greatest Video Games Of All Time|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=March 2, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402231119/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100greatestgames/?title=49%2F|archive-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011220003000/http://www.gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |url=http://www.gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |archive-date=December 20, 2001 |title=Electronic Gaming Monthly Presents Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media Inc]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 2004 |magazine=[[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |issue=108 |page=28|title=Resident Evil 2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx?PostPageIndex=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020141927/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx?PostPageIndex=7 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=live |title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100) | last=Cork | first=Jeff |date=November 16, 2009 |work=[[Game Informer Online]] |publisher=Game Informer Magazine |access-date=November 2, 2010 }}</ref>
| {{note|b}} Reference group b<ref name="gamespotps">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/1900-2549080/ |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for PlayStation | last=Mac Donald | first=Ryan |date=January 28, 1998 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=October 31, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106034836/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/1900-2549080/ |archive-date=November 6, 2013  }}</ref><ref name="allgamegcn" /><ref name="allgameps">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2261&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114121943/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2261&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– Review (PlayStation) | last=Sackenheim | first=Shawn |work=[[Allgame]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |access-date=August 19, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="cvgps">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/8185/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704140239/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/8185/reviews/resident-evil-2-review/ |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (PlayStation) |last=Constantides | first=Alex |date=August 15, 2001 |work=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |access-date=January 29, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="ignps">{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150504p1.html |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– PlayStation Review |last=Sanchez | first=Ricardo |date=January 21, 1998 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=April 27, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513080255/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/22/resident-evil-2-8 |archive-date=May 13, 2013  }}</ref><ref name="gamerevolutionps">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/sony/resident-evil-2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123225202/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/sony/resident-evil-2 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for the PS |author=Baldric |date=June 4, 2004 |work=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=AtomicOnline, LLC |access-date=October 31, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| {{note|c}} Reference group c<ref name="gamespotpc" /><ref name="allgamegcn" /><ref name="gameprogcn" /><ref name="cgmpc" />
| {{note|d}} Reference group d<ref name="gamerankingspc">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198456-resident-evil-2-1998/index.html |title=Resident Evil 2 (1998) for PC |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=September 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518165955/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198456-resident-evil-2/index.html |archive-date=May 18, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="gamerankingsdc">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/436972-resident-evil-2/index.html |title=Resident Evil 2 for Dreamcast |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515080928/http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/436972-resident-evil-2/index.html |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gamerankingsgcn">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/535837-resident-evil-2/index.html |title=Resident Evil 2 for GameCube |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525210722/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/535837-resident-evil-2/index.html |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="metacriticdc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-2/critic-reviews/?platform=dreamcast |title=Resident Evil 2 for Dreamcast Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516145249/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/drm/residentevil2 |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="metacriticgcn">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-2/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Resident Evil 2 for GameCube Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609103923/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/residentevil2 |archive-date=June 9, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{note|e}} Reference group e<ref name="gamepropc">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/751/resident-evil-2-platinum/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102012654/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/751/resident-evil-2-platinum |archive-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Platinum Review |last=Ryan | first=Mike |date=January 1, 2000 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=GamePro Media, Inc |access-date=October 31, 2010  }}</ref><ref name="gamespotpc">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for PC |last=Dulin | first=Ron |date=March 26, 1999 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204085032/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |archive-date=February 4, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="cgmpc">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030524211158/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/018/165/residente2_review.html |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/018/165/residente2_review.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Platinum Review |last=Altman | first=John |date=March 28, 1999 |archive-date=May 24, 2003 |work=[[Computer Games Magazine]] |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc}}</ref><ref name="ignpc">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/160/160402p1.html |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– PC Review |last=Blevins | first=Tal |date=March 22, 1999 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807210252/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/23/resident-evil-2-7 |archive-date=August 7, 2013  }}</ref><ref name="pcgamerukpc">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001028032539/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=977 |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (PC) |author=Pierce, Matthew |date=April 1999 |archive-date=October 28, 2000 |magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]]|url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=977 }}</ref>
| {{note|f}} Reference group f<ref name="ignn64">{{cite web |url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/160/160798p1.html |date=November 24, 1999 |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– Nintendo 64 Review |last=Casamassina | first=Matt |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116004135/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/25/resident-evil-2-4 |archive-date=January 16, 2015  }}</ref><ref name="gamespotn64">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for Nintendo 64 |last=Fielder | first=Joe |date=November 19, 1999 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228040414/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |archive-date=December 28, 2008  }}</ref><ref name="eurogamern64" /><ref name="gamepron64">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3161/resident-evil-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607144336/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3161/resident-evil-2/ |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (Nintendo 64) |author=The Freshman |date=January 1, 2000 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=GamePro Media, Inc |access-date=January 28, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="allgamen64">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19932&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005420/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19932&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– Review (Nintendo 64) |last=Weiss | first=Brett Alan |work=[[Allgame]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |access-date=January 28, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="gamefann64">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001207155800/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1048&t=r |url=http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1048&t=r |title=Review for Resident Evil 2 |last=Buchanan | first=Levi |date=November 18, 1999 |archive-date=December 7, 2000 |publisher=[[GameFan]]}}</ref>
| {{note|g}} Reference group g<ref name="allgamegcn" /><ref name="gamespygcn" /><ref name="1upgcn">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-mark |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722023144/http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-2-mark |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |title=Resident Evil 2 Review (GC) |author=MacDonald, Mark |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]] |access-date=March 19, 2010  }}</ref><ref name="gamespotgcn">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |title=Resident Evil 2 Review for GameCube |last=Varanini | first=Giancarlo |date=January 21, 2003 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203211108/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil2/review.html |archive-date=February 3, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="igngcn">{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/384/384206p1.html |title=Resident Evil 2&nbsp;– GameCube Review |author=[[Matt Casamassina|Casamassina, Matt]] |date=January 29, 2003 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227065506/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/29/resident-evil-2-3 |archive-date=December 27, 2013  }}</ref><ref name="eurogamergcn">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_residentevil23_gc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828060134/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_residentevil23_gc |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |url-status=live |title=Resident Evil 2 and 3 GameCube Review |last=Reed | first=Kristan |date=June 9, 2003 |work=[[Eurogamer.net]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network Ltd |access-date=January 28, 2009  }}</ref>

|}
{{Refend}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=Better off undead|last=Wylie|first=Tom|issue=26|magazine=[[The Duelist (magazine)|The Duelist]]|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|page=81|date=June 1998}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.capcom.co.jp/bio_series/biohazard2.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/playstation/resident-evil-2}}

{{Resident Evil series}}
{{Hideki Kamiya}}
{{Rockstar San Diego}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Speculative fiction/Horror|Speculative fiction|Video games|Viruses}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Dreamcast games]]
[[Category:Game.com games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:1990s horror video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 64 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Resident Evil games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Survival horror video games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games about police officers]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Hideki Kamiya]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Naoshi Mizuta]]
[[Category:Video games set in 1998]]
[[Category:Video games set in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics]]
[[Category:Virgin Interactive games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]