If you’re looking for some quick fun in your free time, then hop on your console or PC and download the new demo for Resident Evil 2, available until Jan. 31.
Capcom’s classic franchise is getting a new installment in the form of a remake of the classic survival-horror video game Resident Evil 2 (1998). To build anticipation for the release on Jan. 25, Capcom has released a 30 minute “one-shot” demo.
The title is sort of self-explanatory. The player is given one chance to complete the demo within a 30 minute timer. Once time is up, the demo ends and the player can’t replay it anymore. You can treat it as a challenge, or a way to get your feet wet with the gameplay.
If you’ve never played a Resident Evil game then you’re in for a treat. Essentially, you always take on the role of characters that find themselves in extremely catastrophic situations. You encounter frightening enemies and challenging puzzles that always keep you on your toes; that’s the thrill.
Unlike most video games, Resident Evil really forces you to think critically about what you should loot and craft. You can’t just run around and pick up everything you find because you’ll run out of inventory space very quickly. In the chance that that does happen–and trust me, it will–you can either try to craft your items together or store them in an item box for later use.
Never run around with a full inventory, because it can really mess you up later on.
In Resident Evil 2, players get to play as both Leon Kennedy, a rookie cop, and Claire Redfield, a young college student. The pair are fighting to escape Raccoon City in the wake of a zombie outbreak. In the demo, players are allowed to explore the Raccoon City Police Department, a significant area in the game.
Of course, due to the nature of the demo, speedrunners have managed to beat the entire thing in under five minutes.
When I first started the demo, I pressured myself into surpassing the objectives as quickly as I could. Admittedly, I got lost along the way and ended up just casually exploring the police station while battling zombies. There are so many secrets hiding in the darkness that you can get absorbed into, such as notes that survivors have left behind.
In terms of other gameplay elements, the combat is intuitive, yet challenging. The longer you aim, the more precise your target reticle will be, which is important for quickly taking down zombies with headshots.
Resident Evil is true survival-horror, so ammo is scarce. Don’t blindly fire your gun at oncoming enemies. Depending on the situation, it actually might be best to run away.
All in all, I really enjoyed my time playing this demo. The only downside is that once your time is up, you’re no longer allowed to replay it. Capcom probably used this “one-shot” to tactic to generate even more hype around the game, but it would’ve been cool if after 30 minutes you could try again.
I played the Resident Evil 7 demo ten times, and I hoped to do the same with this one. Fortunately, the release of the game is right around the corner, so players don’t have to wait too long to return to Raccoon City. In the meantime, get the demo and enjoy the experience.
