Twenty-eight years after it first spread terror on PlayStation, Resident Evil 2 continues to haunt our memories. But as 2026 dawns, with time sparing no one—not even masterpieces—the burning question remains: should you (re)enter the streets of Raccoon City? Has the nightmare of 1998 aged poorly, or has its 2019 remake become the only essential route for souls seeking chills? As a retro gaming veteran for Game.fr, I offer an unflinching analysis to shed some light on the matter.
The weight of the years: when the original starts to wobble...
Let's be clear from the outset: the original game, released in 1998, is an absolute monument. But in 2026, we have to admit that time has taken its toll. The “tank” controls, the iconic fixed camera, and the polygonal graphics show their age. For an uninitiated modern player, the experience can prove frustrating, even off-putting. The horror suggested by camera angles and pixelated environments, so effective at the time, now gives way to a certain stiffness that can sometimes break immersion. “Aging” is a natural process, and Resident Evil 2 is no exception, even if its aura remains intact.
That is where the 2019 remake comes in—not as a simple facelift, but as a true reinvention. It is no longer a question of whether the original has aged—the answer is yes, in certain technical and ergonomic respects—but whether Capcom's vision has stood the test of time through this new version. And believe me, the answer is a resounding yes, albeit with a few caveats for purists.
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The 2019 remake's greatest achievement is that it captures the very essence of Resident Evil 2's horror while elevating it with current technology. Forget pre-rendered backgrounds; here, we are plunged into a fully modelled Raccoon City, bathed in dynamic lighting and oppressive shadows. Capcom's RE Engine is used masterfully, delivering photorealistic detail in the zombies, environments, and facial expressions of Leon and Claire. The sound design, meanwhile, is a lesson in terror: every distant moan, every creaking floorboard, every heavy footstep from Mr. X rings out with surgical precision, turning the police station into a true tomb.
However, this technical perfection has a downside for some longtime fans. Horror, once implied and left to the player's imagination by limited graphics, becomes direct and visceral here. While that makes the experience more intense for newcomers, veterans may feel a slight loss of the insidious, almost psychological fear that the original delivered so well. The shock is there, as is the fear, but the subtlety of the past has sometimes given way to more direct effectiveness. It is a choice, but one that may divide players.
Gameplay: between tradition and modernity
The Resident Evil 2 remake opts for an over-the-shoulder camera in the vein of Resident Evil 4, offering immersion and shooting precision previously unseen in the classic series. The gunplay is satisfying, every bullet counts, and resource management remains at the heart of the survival horror experience. The puzzles are still here, smartly integrated into exploration of the police station and sewers, reminding us that Resident Evil is not merely a shooting game. The infamous Mr. X has become a persistent, ever-present threat, turning every corridor into a race against death—a constant tension that pushes us to be inventive.
Despite these undeniable improvements, the gameplay is not beyond criticism. Inventory management, although modernised compared with the original, can still feel archaic and disrupt the pace of the action, especially in tense moments. As for Mr. X, while his presence is terrifying at first, it can eventually become a little predictable or even frustrating for some players, who would prefer a less linear rhythm to these encounters. His scripted appearances, followed by his semi-random patrols, ultimately reveal their inner workings, and the surprise effect fades after several hours of play. For a broader analysis of horror and sci-fi, see our article Shinji Mikami: When Horror Meets Sci-Fi.
A two-pronged narrative for near-endless replayability
Like its predecessor, the remake lets us follow the intertwined fates of Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, each with their own campaign, encounters, and specific areas. Better still, the A and B scenarios for each character offer considerable replayability. Expect around 10 to 12 hours of play for a complete first run with one character (Scenario A), and nearly 20 hours to complete both main A/B scenarios, not including bonus modes. Discovering the links between the two stories, the repercussions of our actions in the previous scenario, and the secrets of Raccoon City is a pure delight for lore enthusiasts.
However, the two-pronged structure, while faithful to the original, is not free from repetition. Certain puzzles and areas are shared between the two characters, which can create a sense of déjà vu during the second campaign. While the intention is commendable and contributes to the narrative interweaving, we would have liked a little more divergence to maintain the element of surprise until the end. It is a minor detail, admittedly, but one that can weigh on the experience for the most demanding players, especially after already exploring the smallest corners of the police station.
Technically impeccable, even in 2026
Tested on PlayStation 5 in 4K/60fps with ray tracing enabled, the Resident Evil 2 remake is a technical showcase that has nothing to envy from the most recent productions of 2026. Textures are sharp, lighting effects are breathtaking, and the framerate remains rock-solid, even during the most chaotic encounters. Capcom has clearly gone all out to optimise its game for current-generation consoles and powerful PCs, proving that the game has not aged a day since its 2019 release. It is a perfect example of how a game can be designed to last, even in a market where new releases arrive at a frantic pace, as shown by The 10 Best Games of 2025 and the Most Anticipated Releases of 2026.
If we really wanted to nitpick, we could point to a few less detailed textures in very specific, poorly lit areas, or facial animations that, while very good, do not always match today's highest standards. But let's be honest: these are minor quibbles compared with the game's overall achievement. The game is a technical success that glides through the years with disarming ease. After all, production management and console optimisation are constant challenges, as the situation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 shows.
Strengths and weaknesses
What we liked
- The sound and visual atmosphere – A more terrifying Raccoon City than ever, brilliantly recreated.
- Modernised gameplay – A skilful blend of tradition and modernity, with satisfying gunplay.
- Replayability – Leon and Claire's campaigns, with their A/B scenarios, guarantee many hours of gameplay.
- Technical prowess – The RE Engine works wonders, even in 2026, with cutting-edge visuals and optimisation.
What we liked less
- Repetition between scenarios – A few areas and puzzles are too similar across the campaigns.
- Inventory management – Sometimes a little cumbersome and archaic by current standards.
- Mr. X over time – His presence, terrifying at first, can become predictable and frustrating after many hours.
Verdict
In 2026, Resident Evil 2 Remake is no longer simply a tribute to a classic: it is a survival horror benchmark in its own right. It brilliantly answers the question of whether the 1998 masterpiece has aged: yes, the original has its wrinkles, but the remake is there to carry its legacy high, making it more relevant and terrifying than ever for a new generation of players. It is the essential gateway for anyone wanting to discover or rediscover the horror of Raccoon City.
Whether you are a first-hour purist or a newcomer in search of genuine chills, Resident Evil 2 Remake is essential. It offers a visceral, technically flawless, and deeply immersive experience. It is a game we recommend without hesitation, even if we regret a few slight repetitions that do nothing to diminish the overall enjoyment. Prepare to tremble. And if horror is your passion, don't forget to check out our immersive Halloween-themed PGW 2025 guide.
