One of the best selling games in the original PlayStation era and undeniably one of the greatest sequels ever has turned 23 - on the same year that the entire franchise celebrates its 25th Anniversary no less.
On this day on January 21, 1998 - Resident Evil 2 aka Biohazard 2 was released for the Sony PlayStation - bringing a new kind of Survival Horror adventure into the series by making a sequel that was twice as big as the first and put the story two months later where the entire midwestern town of Raccoon City fell to the T-Virus and the zombie outbreak that came along with it. New protagonists were introduced in rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield - the young tomboyish sister of RE1's Chris Redfield - as both embarked on a journey to survive and escape from the city of the dead while dealing will all sorts of biohazardous monstrosities unleashed by the machinations of the Umbrella Corporation.
To say RE2 was a monumental success is nothing short of an understatement - the game was actually reworked from the ground up after the original build set for a 1997 released (dubbed by fans as RE 1.5) was scrapped. Capcom and the first game's director Shinji Mikami wanted to redo the entire concept, and with future Devil May Cry and Bayonetta creator Hideki Kamiya at the helm that would prove to be a smart and wise choice. The turnout of the game became phenomenal, and would lead to several more sequels and spin-offs - including a remake of RE2 itself which was released on January 25, 2019 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Gamers and OG Resident Evil fans have had to bear a sad day, as reports from multiple sources have come in that Paul Haddad, the voice of Leon s. Kennedy in the original Resident Evil 2, has passed away at the age of 56. According to a report by Biohazard Declassified, the British-born Canadian actor was said to have previously battled throat cancer and a neurological disorder, and had set up a GoFundMe to help in his expenses. Unfortunately, Haddad was reported to have passed away on April 11th.
Aside from playing Leon, Paul also lent his voice to several shows - including the X-Men: Animated Series of the 1990's as Quicksilver. Coincidentally, Alyson Court - who played Claire Redfield in the original RE2, voiced Jubilee in that show as well.
Made this tribute to the man who brought to life one of the most iconic Survival Horror characters ever made. Rest in Peace, Paul. Thank you for taking on Umbrella.
With the Resident Evil 3 Remake now out (check my review!) and introducing fans to a new reimagination of the classic 1999 Survival Horror game, it was only a matter of time until tabletop developer Steamforged Games decided to open up a Kickstarter to developing an official "Resident Evil 3: The Board Game" for RE3 - And that time has arrived in the form of an official announcement at their website! After developing and releasing a successful "Resident Evil 2: The Board Game", this was almost certainly going to happen and here is their press release:
"Tabletop games publisher Steamforged Games is once again working with Japanese video game giant Capcom on a brand new Resident Evil™ board game, set to launch April 28 on Kickstarter. Following the success of Resident Evil™ 2: The Board Game, Steamforged will now bring the 1999 Playstation classic, Resident Evil™ 3, to the tabletop.
Based on the original video game, Resident Evil™ 3: The Board Game is a cooperative survival horror game for 1-4 players that can be experienced either through individual, one-shot scenarios, or as a 19+ hour campaign with an overarching storyline. Taking control of iconic characters like Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira, players will attempt to escape Raccoon City in the midst of a T-virus outbreak. All the while, the city danger level will be on the rise, the number of undead monsters will increase, and every decision will be crucial. To survive, players must carefully manage resources, make intelligent and meaningful decisions, and be wary of curveballs thrown by the tension deck—a mechanic carried over from the RE2 board game which will surprise players with unexpected threats to replicate the terrifying suspense of the video game. If the campaign reaches 2500 followers on Kickstarter before it launches on April 28, a Kickstarter-exclusive ‘Jill in Biker Gear’ miniature will be unlocked
If the campaign reaches 2500 followers on Kickstarter before it launches on April 28, a Kickstarter-exclusive ‘Jill in Biker Gear’ miniature will be unlocked
The board game’s design comes from Sherwin Matthews of Steamforged, a self-proclaimed superfan of the franchise who also headed the design of Resident Evil™ 2: The Board Game. Mat Hart, Creative Director and co-founder of Steamforged Games, said, “It’s a privilege and an honour to be working with Capcom once again to bring the horrors of Raccoon City to the tabletop.
“Steamforged is proud of its proven ability to bring video game properties to life and
lovingly craft them into high-quality board and card games. Resident Evil™ 3: The Board Game will surprise and challenge even the most hardcore RE fans. It will have players running from Nemesis like it’s 1999!”
The Kickstarter for Resident Evil 3: The Board Game will begin on April 28th!
Fans who have waited, prayed, and wanted a remake to one of the most intense entries in the Resident Evil/ Biohazard franchise have officially gotten their early Christmas present opened, as Capcom made things official and announced "Resident Evil 3" - complete with the very first trailer of the game showing the new designs and return of Jill Valentine, Carlos Oliveira, and of course the stalking hulking Tyrant beast codenamed "Nemesis"!
Resident Evil 3 Announcement Trailer
Made with the same proprietary "RE Engine" that powered Resident Evil 7 and this year's Resident Evil 2 Remake, the RE3 Remake will be mostly the same as its predecessor - with a few additions such as the "Emergency Evade" that sees Jill and other characters dodge zombies and other B.O.W monsters attacking her. This will also prove useful against Nemesis, who in the original game consistently stalked players and will be similar to how "Mr. X" hounded players in the RE2 Remake as well.
Following the announcement of the game, the developers also recorded a special message to the fans and players.
Resident Evil 3 Special Developer Message
Much like RE2 Remake, this game will also have a Collector's Edition up for Pre-Order, which is open and has been shown by Gamestop online.
Resident Evil 3 will be releaed for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC on April 3, 2020.
2019 is definitely a good time for Resident Evil/ Bio Hazard fans. The beginning of the year saw the release of the much anticipated remake of "Resident Evil 2" - which hit PS4, Xbox One, and PC and went on to earn critical acclaim from gamers new and old alike. That trend of reignited interest in the "Survival Horror" franchise began of course with the release of Resident Evil 7 in 2017 - and since then fans have been looking forward to the next big thing... And it may be coming sooner than we think.
CAPCOM Confrims New RESIDENT EVIL Game In Development || Revealed Soon
Courtesy of RE fan news site "Residence of Evil", Capcom has confirmed that a new RE game is in development - and they are recruiting a series of game testers to test the game. What that is and whether it's "Resident Evil 8" remains to be seen - but it is still exciting news nevertheless!
Then comes news of a "Netflix" Resident Evil TV Series in development - which "We Got This Covered" has featured on in an "Everything We Know So Far" article.
It's FINALLY HERE, ladies and gents! 21 years after the release of the original game for the Playstation, Resident Evil 2 is given new life in a remake that is NOW AVAILABLE for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC! Telling the story and putting players in control of Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, the survivors end up in a horrific nightmare as Raccoon City succumbs to a viral outbreak that sets loose zombies and bio-organic monstrosities. Much like the 1998 original, it's back to Survival Horror - except everything old is new again with new mechanics, twists to familiar themes, and a totally new experience worth reliving!
Resident Evil 2 - 2019 Live-Action Trailer
To commemorate the launch day, as well as pay tribute to an old commercial directed by the late great George A. Romero, here's a Live Action Trailer for RE2!
Resident Evil 2 is now available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC! I picked up the Collector's Edition with the Map, Soundtrack, and Leon Statue! Have you gotten yours yet?
It's truly hard to imagine that come a few days from now, the long awaited remake of Resident Evil 2 will finally hit current generation consoles and PC - bringing a newly reimagined version of the title to gamers from this generation and those who grew up with the original. Speaking of that - today marks the 21st anniversary of the release of "Resident Evil 2" for the original Sony Playstation. On this January 21st in 1998 - gamers finally got the long awaited follow-up to the 1996 classic that helped redefine horror and adventure into a new genre called "Survival Horror" and sprucing things up by not only putting its setting in a city plagued by the undead, but by adding more replay value and mechanics that greatly improved upon its predecessor.
Known as "Bio Hazard 2" in Japan, RE2 was in development immediately after the release of the first game - but went through a hard development process that ultimately say Capcom dissatisfied with the first build of the sequel (leading to it being scrapped and called "Resident Evil 1.5" by fans). Eventually the team decided to start from scratch and move the release date forward to January of 1998, and that gample paid off with the Resident Evil 2 we all know and love from time and memorial. That game became the best selling game in a single platform, and would sell 4.96 Million copies on Playstation.
The game - focusing on an RPD rookie cop named Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, the younger sister of RE1 lead Chris Redfield, would see both playable characters enter Raccoon City just as the zombie outbreak commenced - forcing both to find shelter in the Raccoon City Police Department. Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse as the city is all but dead and overrun, and the survivors look for a way to escape while also discovering at the same time the secrets and people behind the chaos unleashed in The Umbrella Corporation.
Resident Evil 2 Commercial by George A. Romero
So even until this day, Resident Evil 2 remains a product of its time yet is beholden by many as one of the best Survival Horror games and sequels ever produced. That legacy is what drove many fans to request a remake after the success of the 2002 Resident Evil Remake - and that time is now with the upcoming release of Resident Evil 2 (2019). I along with the rest of the world cannot wait to see what lies in store with the new reimagining of a classic.
And here I am all celebratory and prepared for the new remake. HAPPY 21 YEARS, RESIDENT EVIL 2!
After a long time requesting for a "demo" of the game, Resident Evil fans are finally going to get just that at the comforts of their own console and home as Capcom has officially announced that their upcoming "Resident Evil 2" remake is getting a "1-Shot Demo" this week. In other words, players will FINALLY get their chance to try out this brand new reimagining of the 1998 sequel powered by the RE Engine before the full game comes out the end of the month... And this demo sees release for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC Steam this January 11th!
Resident Evil 2 - Story Trailer | PS4
There is a catch however for those playing this demo - you only have 30 MINUTES to play through it and guide Leon S. Kennedy through the horrors of the Raccoon City outbreak and beyond. That means that the clock is ticking and you won't have any time to explore and kill every enemy on sight. The demo becomes unplayable after your thirty minutes are up, and while that may be a bit disappointing to know - there will be a special new trailer that will play right after you're done with things at least. If you plan to download and try, be sure to between January 11 to 31!
Resident Evil 2 arrives for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on January 25th!
With just over a month left until it releases and remakes one of the most best Survival Horror games ever made, Capcom has released two new Gameplay videos for "Resident Evil 2" (aka BioHazard 2 in Japan) - which introduces us to familiar faces from the game that see actual dialogue and presentation for the very first time - such as Robert Kendo from "Gun Shop Kendo" and the enigmatic Ada Wong springing into action! Also, Leon S. Kennedy facing off against a powerful G Mutation.
Resident Evil 2: Leon Gameplay - Familiar Faces
Then there's the monsters and villains... Like the powerhouse called "Mr. X" facing off against Claire Redfield.
If you can't get enough of the Resident Evil 2 Remake hype train, Capcom is more than happy to give you some more footage to salivate to - as the company has released a sweet trailer of some E3 Gameplay footage they put together. There are many other gameplay trailers that have made the rounds online, but this one is short and direct to the point of the stuff you can expect Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield to run into when the remake hits PS4, Xbox One, and PC next year.
Resident Evil 2 - E3 2018 Gameplay Video
Also if you haven't seen it yet, here's the E3 2018 Developer Interview and Community Reaction trailer.
At long last, one of the most requested video game sequels ever made is FINALLY getting the remastered remake it deserves next year! After announcing three years ago that they would be doing it and making the game following the success of the "Resident Evil Remake" and "Resident Evil Zero" rereleased ports for last and current generation systems, Capcom has officially revealed the first teaser and announcement footage for "Resident Evil 2 Remake" at Sony's E3 Playstation showcase for E3 2018 - remaking the 1998 classic for a new generation of gamers and revisiting the Survival Horror tale of Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they encounter zombies and other biological weapon horrors while trying to escape the city of the dead!
Shown at Sony's E3 2018 Showcase with a cleverly made teaser trailer revealing the first cinematic footage of the remake (and an original Playstation easter egg), we revisit highlights of the "Raccoon City Incident" - which sees Leon and Claire seeking sanctuary in the Raccoon Police Department yet finding horrific nightmares and monstrosities to deal with instead.
Resident Evil 2 – E3 2018 Play
station Showcase Trailer | PS4
While the game isn't coming anytime soon this year, it's great that Capcom FINALLY announced the remake - coinciding with the original RE2's 20th anniversary this year! It's also great to see Leon, Claire, Sherry, and the gang back sporting some updated outfits (and Leon's iconic R.P.D. uniform returns), though it's a safe bet Capcom will be releasing more info in the coming months ahead as the game is set for an early 2019 release. Read up more info on Capcom-Unity's blog!
Resident Evil 2 - Announcement Trailer
Resident Evil 2 Remake is schedule for release on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on January 25th, 2019 - 21 years after the original RE2's release!
