The Resident Evil 2 remake is finally here, bringing new and old fans alike back into zombie-infested Raccoon City. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or a fresh-faced rookie, the remake’s challenges can be daunting to say the least. Fortunately for you, we’ve got some handy gameplay tips that should make surviving the remake’s perils just a little easier.
Fight Smarter, Not Harder
Even the remake’s basic zombies can absorb a surprising number of bullets, which is bad considering how scarce ammo is. In some cases, it’s best to put a zombie down for good, but not always. One or two shots to the kneecap can temporarily disable a zombie, allowing you to run past them.
If a zombie’s back is towards you, you can slash their legs with your knife to preserve ammo. The knife is also handy against zombies that are already lying down. You can potentially finish off zombies that are already wounded and you can even cut off their arms. Zombies who have lost their arms can’t grab you, severely reducing them as a threat.
Write Down Safe and Cylinder Lock Combinations
Two of the most common puzzle types you’ll find in the RPD station are combination safes and cylinder locks. Safes and cylinder locks both require a three-digit combination to unlock them. In the case of safes, you need three numbers, and for cylinder locks you need three letters.
Over time you’ll discover the combinations to these different safes and locks (assuming, of course, you’re a thorough explorer). Once you discover a combination, make sure you write it down somewhere. While the combinations to some puzzles are randomized, such is not the case with safes and cylinder locks. In subsequent playthroughs, you can save yourself some hassle since you won’t have to find the combinations a second time.
Don’t Bother Fighting Mr. X
Once you encounter the terrifyingly persistent Mr. X, you may be tempted to unload into him. Avoid that temptation because all you’ll be doing is wasting ammunition. It is technically possible to “stun” him, but that still requires expending precious weapon resources. A better strategy is to bait him into taking a swing at you and then running away while he recovers.
For more on the Resident Evil 2 remake, be sure to read our review roundup. We also noted how a surprisingly high number of players didn’t finish the game’s 1-shot demo.