In many ways the Resident Evil 2 remake differs from its 1998 predecessor while still retaining the core survival-horror feel. However, during a recent roundtable discussion the remake’s developers had some interesting stories to share. It turns out there were plenty of additional concepts being floated around which didn’t make it into the final game. Concept-based enemy types, level assets, gameplay sequences, and more had to unfortunately be left on the cutting room floor.
Resident Evil 2 Unused Game Concepts
One of the least surprising elements which the development team wrangled with was the remake’s camera angle. At one point the remake sported a fixed camera angle more in line with the 1998 original. Another idea that was floated was a first-person viewpoint not unlike Resident Evil 7’s. In the end an over-the-shoulder angle was chosen, but Resident Evil 2 modders are also exploring what could have been.
More interesting ideas which sadly didn’t end up in the final game include more involved gameplay sequences. The alligator and Mutated G2 Birkin boss fights, for example, had more involved mechanics in their concept phases. The remake’s developers also toyed with a driving sequence and a moving cable car fight.
As for enemy designs, Mr. X went through a couple revisions, having sported a more military look at one point. Of course, no matter his look, Mr. X can still be just as goofy as he is terrifying.
One of the scarier concepts the development team shared was for an unused enemy type called The Condemned. These enemies would have shown up in the orphanage, popping out to surprise and attack the player. Given my general dislike of jump scares, I’m more than a little glad The Condemned were ultimately decided against.
The entire roundtable is worth watching, if only to see just how many iterations a game’s components can go through. Had they gone down different roads, the remake’s team could have made a drastically different sort of game. Of course, with the remake’s overwhelming popularity, it’s not like the team made any wrong choices. Still, the roundtable makes us wonder what could have been…and what Capcom might have planned for post-launch DLC.