Resident Evil 2

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Resident Evil 2 are largely positive. Many critics praise the game for staying true to the original game's storyline, while also adding new narrative beats and changes to keep it engaging. Critics like Digital Chumps and Press Start Australia appreciate how the game retains the iconic elements and lore of the original, such as the characters, locations, and story beats. The narrative is described as straightforward and classic Resident Evil, delivering a tense and horrifying experience, as mentioned by GameGrin. The story is also commended for its emotional depth and intense horror elements, as noted by New Game Network. The narrative is said to be captivating and keeps players on edge, according to TheXboxHub. The game's ability to balance nostalgia with a gritty new modern horror aesthetic is also highlighted by Impulsegamer. However, there are some criticisms regarding the story of Resident Evil 2. Some critics, such as The Overpowered Noobs and Cheat Code Central, mention that the story remains relatively untouched from the original game, leaving some plot holes and lacking depth in character development. The generic structure of the narrative is also seen as a drawback by Trusted Reviews. Additionally, Attack of the Fanboy points out a narrative disconnect between the two characters' stories and recycled content, which can be seen as a negative aspect. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Resident Evil 2 is a faithful retelling of the original game, with some additional narrative beats and changes that make it engaging for both longtime fans and newcomers. The narrative is praised for its intense horror elements, emotional depth, and ability to balance nostalgia with modern horror aesthetics. However, there are some criticisms regarding the lack of depth in character development and the generic structure of the story. Nonetheless, the positive aspects of the story outweigh the negatives, making Resident Evil 2 a compelling and engaging experience for players.

The majority of the critics praised the gameplay of Resident Evil 2, considering it to be very good. They highlighted various positive aspects of the gameplay, such as the smooth controls, engaging puzzles, and intense combat. Critics like Game Rant and Softpedia appreciated the classic survival-horror elements, including exploration, puzzle-solving, and ammo conservation. They mentioned that the combat rewards precise shots and strategic decision-making, but also emphasized the importance of avoiding combat due to scarce resources. The Overpowered Noobs and GameCrate commended the seamless integration of gameplay into the overall experience, with solid controls and resource management. They also appreciated the updated weapons and the charm that comes from the genuine love for the source material. TheXboxHub and Stevivor praised the engaging puzzles and enjoyable gunplay, while GameWatcher highlighted the quality-of-life improvements that made the gameplay smooth and never frustrating. However, there were some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics pointed out. AusGamers and Softpedia mentioned frustrations with resource management and repetitive sequences. The Overpowered Noobs criticized the simplicity of the puzzles and the lack of skill or ingenuity in boss fights. Eurogamer Italy noted difficulty balance issues in one section of the game, and USgamer mentioned difficulty balance concerns as well. Game Over Online mentioned the difficulty of targeting enemies' weak spots with a controller, and Hardcore Gamer mentioned that the puzzles have been simplified in their approach. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Resident Evil 2 is very good. The positive aspects include smooth controls, engaging puzzles, intense combat, and the faithful representation of the classic survival-horror elements. The negative aspects mentioned are the frustrations with resource management, repetitive sequences, simplicity of puzzles, and some difficulty balance concerns. However, these negatives do not outweigh the overall positive sentiment towards the gameplay, as the majority of the critics found it to be enjoyable and engaging.

The overall sentiment among the critics regarding the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 2 is overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the critics praised the game's visuals, with many describing them as stunning, impressive, and exceptional. They highlighted the attention to detail in character models, environments, and enemy designs, as well as the use of lighting and shadows to create a tense and immersive atmosphere. The graphics were commended for their realistic textures, excellent lighting and shadow work, and exquisite modeling. The game's visuals were also lauded for successfully modernizing the pre-rendered backgrounds of the original while maintaining a macabre and gruesome aesthetic. Some specific positives mentioned by critics include the graphical improvements in the PS5 version, such as native 4K resolution and ray tracing, as praised by Push Square. EGM focused on the warmth, humanity, and graphical improvements of the character models. Nintendo Life highlighted the rebuilt details and visual narrative cues, even on the Switch platform. The Washington Post mentioned that Resident Evil 2 is one of the better-looking titles on the market, despite not rendering in native 4K on consoles. However, there were a few minor negatives mentioned by some critics. AusGamers mentioned that the shiny graphics could be seen as a negative aspect. GameCrate pointed out occasional drawbacks in character models and motion-captured animations. Metro GameCentral mentioned a graphical glitch affecting some reflections. IGN Italia stated that while the game successfully combines old and new elements, some areas and enemies don't hold up against scrutiny. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 2 are highly impressive and visually appealing. The game's stunning visuals, attention to detail, and atmospheric presentation were praised by multiple critics, including Eurogamer Italy, The Games Machine, and The Sydney Morning Herald. The positive sentiment towards the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 2 indicates that the game successfully delivers a visually immersive and engaging experience for players.

The sound design and music of Resident Evil 2 received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. Many critics praised the game's sound design for effectively adding tension and atmosphere to the gameplay experience. The heavy footsteps of Mr. X, the terrifying antagonist, were mentioned by multiple critics, including App Trigger and Cultured Vultures, as a constant reminder of his presence and a source of serious tension. The use of binaural audio and well-implemented 3D audio was also commended by critics like Critical Hit and Telegraph, as it enhanced the gameplay experience by allowing players to pinpoint threats and creating a spine-chilling soundscape of shuffling footsteps and inhuman shrieks. In terms of music, the majority of critics mentioned that the soundtrack and score of Resident Evil 2 were fitting and contributed to the overall horror atmosphere of the game. The soundtrack was described as subtle, tense, and immersive by critics like New York Daily News and Softpedia. The atmospheric music during combat, panic-inducing music, and the grand atmosphere created by the sound design were also highlighted by Daily Star and The Daily Dot. The voice acting in multiple languages, including Italian, was praised by Eurogamer Italy, and the exceptional voice work and motion capture were mentioned by New Game Network. Overall, the positive opinions regarding the sound design and music of Resident Evil 2 indicate that they successfully enhanced the horror experience and contributed to the immersion of the players. While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the sound design and music of Resident Evil 2, there were a few minor criticisms. Some critics, such as IGN and GameCritics, mentioned that the presence of the Tyrant super-zombie became more obnoxious than terrifying. Additionally, IGN Italia noted that the lack of music during gameplay could create quiet moments that some players may find less engaging. However, these criticisms were relatively minor compared to the overall positive reception of the sound design and music. In conclusion, the sound design and music of Resident Evil 2 were highly praised by the critics. The positive aspects of the sound design included the effective use of sound effects, such as the heavy footsteps of Mr. X, and the immersive and spine-chilling soundscape created through binaural audio and 3D audio. The fitting and atmospheric soundtrack, along with exceptional voice acting, were also highlighted as positive aspects. While there were a few minor criticisms, the overall consensus among the critics was that the sound design and music of Resident Evil 2 greatly contributed to the tension, horror atmosphere, and immersive experience of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Resident Evil 2 are varied, but overall there is a positive sentiment towards the performances. Several critics, such as App Trigger and FANDOM, praise the voice acting, noting that it revitalizes the characters and adds depth to their emotions. The performances are described as candid, nuanced, and authentic, with strong chemistry between the small cast of characters (New Game Network). Claire's voice acting, in particular, is highlighted as a standout, delivering a lot of emotion (Worth Playing). The voice work is also commended for adding to the believability and authenticity of the game (Digital Trends). However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Resident Evil 2. Digital Chumps criticizes the voice acting, describing it as unpracticed and disappointing. The dissonance in conversations and the range of performances from supporting players are mentioned as drawbacks by Cultured Vultures. Some critics, such as Gaming Nexus and GameCritics, mention that while the main characters have strong performances, the writing and chemistry between them can be corny or lacking. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Resident Evil 2 is a significant improvement compared to the original game. The performances are generally praised for their authenticity and believability, with specific mentions of strong chemistry between the characters. While there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the voice acting, such as unpracticed delivery or lack of chemistry in certain interactions, these concerns are outweighed by the positive reception of the performances. The voice acting is seen as a key factor in enhancing the overall experience and making the narrative feel more genuine (Trusted Reviews).

In terms of the technical performance of Resident Evil 2, the majority of critics had positive opinions across all gaming platforms. On the PlayStation 4, reviewers such as App Trigger, Critical Hit, Cultured Vultures, Eurogamer Italy, Game Rant, God is a Geek, Hardcore Gamer, Metro GameCentral, New Game Network, PLAY! Zine, PlayStation LifeStyle, and Screen Rant all praised the game for its smooth performance, lack of crashes or glitches, and consistent frame rate. These critics noted that the game ran well on both the base PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 4 Pro, with minimal performance issues and no major technical problems. Eurogamer Italy even highlighted the absence of day-one patches and the relatively small file size as positive aspects. On the Xbox One, GameSpew, Gamers' Temple, IGN Spain, Press Start Australia, Softpedia, and Windows Central all commended the flawless performance of Resident Evil 2. They mentioned that the game ran smoothly at a steady 60 frames per second on the Xbox One X, with no significant technical issues or stability problems. However, Windows Central did note some odd graphical glitches and incomplete textures on the Xbox One version, but overall, the performance was still considered impressive. For the PC version, Game Debate, GameStar, GameWatcher, PC Gamer, PC Invasion, PCWorld, and The Digital Fix all had positive feedback. They mentioned that the game ran well on various PC configurations, offering customizable graphics settings and quick loading times. The PC version was described as polished, well-optimized, and without major technical issues. PC Gamer did note some minor judder in open areas, while Game Debate mentioned that players with lower VRAM may struggle with higher resolution textures. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the technical performance of Resident Evil 2 was very good across all gaming platforms. The game was praised for its smooth gameplay experience, consistent frame rate, lack of crashes or glitches, and fast loading times. While some minor graphical glitches and performance issues were mentioned by a few critics, they did not significantly impact the overall positive reception of the game's technical performance.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Resident Evil 2 are quite varied. Many critics highlight the positive aspects of the game's replayability. They mention multiple campaigns, alternative routes, and different story paths, which provide new details and events in each playthrough. The inclusion of unlockable modes, bonus game modes, and additional challenges also add to the game's replay value. Some critics, such as Game Informer and Game Rant, specifically mention the "2nd Run" mode, which allows players to experience the campaign from a different character's perspective, offering a different path and new tools. This extra incentive to play through the game again is seen as a positive aspect by these critics. On the other hand, there are some negative opinions regarding the replay value of Resident Evil 2. Critics mention that while there are some small differences between playthroughs, such as different weapons and a different final boss fight, the repetition of content can make a second playthrough less entertaining. Some critics, like Game Over Online and Screen Rant, feel that the remake falls short in terms of replayability compared to the original game. They mention that the "2nd Run" mode lacks the ambition of the original game's "zapping" system and feels like a missed opportunity. Daily Star also mentions that it would have been nice for the characters to take different routes and encounter more exclusive areas, indicating a desire for more variety in the gameplay. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Resident Evil 2 offers a good amount of replay value. The game's multiple campaigns, alternative routes, and different story paths provide new experiences and challenges for players. The inclusion of unlockable modes, bonus game modes, and additional challenges further enhance the replayability of the game. However, some critics do express concerns about the repetition of content and the missed opportunities in the "2nd Run" mode. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics agree that Resident Evil 2 offers a solid amount of replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for both new players and veterans of the franchise.