Resident Evil 2, now on Game Pass, gets better as you replay it

polygon.com:

Resident Evil 2 was a masterpiece when it was originally released more than 25 years ago on the original PlayStation, and it was a masterpiece when it was gorgeously remade in 2019. Capcom’s remake is now on Xbox Game Pass for the first time, and it’s one of the easiest recommendations I can make. It sets the standard for a modern-day remake of a groundbreaking video game, and helped inspire last year’s similarly great Dead Space remake.

For the horror-averse, Resident Evil 2 is not for the faint of heart. The remake is bloody and gory. The game is full of shocking moments and well-earned jump scares. The realistic casting of shadows from a character’s flashlight has spooked me more times than I’d like to admit. But as zombie games go, Resident Evil 2 is immensely enjoyable, with clever puzzles to solve and a satisfying, only slightly cheesy story.

But don’t just play the Resident Evil 2 remake to completion; I recommend playing it through to its end again. And again. And then five more times. Resident Evil 2 is worth replaying until all the meat has been picked clean from the bone, figuratively speaking, as subsequent playthroughs offer new challenges, powerful unlockables, and fresh perspectives on how to survive Capcom’s brand of horror.

Resident Evil 2 warrants multiple playthroughs based on its structure. Players have the option of starting the game as either Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, and then, after beating it, playing through a more condensed version of the story as the other character. These “Second Run” playthroughs let you visit new areas, encounter different characters, and fill in gaps in the game’s story.

After beating the game at least once, I suggest the following: Beat it again in under three and a half hours to achieve an S rank, unlocking a gun that gives you infinite ammo. Then take Resident Evil 2 for another spin, this time without the tension of ammunition scarcity and with a newfound familiarity of the game’s map and puzzles.

Revisitin