2) Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 was nothing short of a huge leap forward for Capcom. Taking the action outside of the Spencer Mansion and into Racoon City proper, players were dropped into a sprawling city reeling from exposure to the deadly T-Virus.
Everything is bigger and better this time around. The city setting meant Claire and Leon would have to contend with a hell of a lot more zombies than Jill and Chris did. Fighting every enemy was not an option due to the scarce resources, and this meant players would find themselves running through areas and saving their precious bullets for only the necessary defensive encounter. The contrast between the narrow alleys, corridors, and rooms as compared to the broad streets helped vary the pace of the game naturally, and ensured things didn’t get too repetitive.
Weapons and monsters saw a comprehensive expansion as well. The first encounter Leon has with the infamous Licker monsters rivals the original Resident Evil’s unforgettable zombie reveal. A giant crocodile and menacing proto-Nemesis evoked a sense of dreadful awe next to the hordes of shambling zombies. Claire and Leon’s campaigns were also more varied than Jill and Chris’, giving the two separate scenarios a unique identity and players a chance to see how the two narratives intertwine.
Resident Evil 2 still holds up today as an incredible game – a testament to its masterful design. This is easily one of the best sequels ever made and a triumph of a game.
