Ultimately, each game has areas where they excel over the other. At the end of the day, both are timeless games that hold up more than 20 years after release. It is almost unbelievable, but Resident Evil is now 25 years old, and the sequel will be the same age in just two years. The entries below highlight where the debut entry is better than the sequel, and vice versa.
10 The Scarier Game - Resident Evil
Both are excellent survival horror experiences, but the debut entry edges out Resident Evil 2 in pure horror. The player has fewer resources and the setting is more isolated and completely alien to the heroes.
Plus, it has one of the most iconic jump scares in gaming. This is in reference, of course, to the dogs jumping through the windows. The slower pace and more claustrophobic rooms lend to the terror of this debut entry.
9 More Interesting Campaigns - Resident Evil 2
While Resident Evil lets players choose either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, Resident Evil 2 goes further with the concept of two protagonists. On the PS1 each campaign is on a separate disc, and gamers play through both of them sequentially.
Which one the player does first influences the other, leading to four separate scenarios. The protagonist of the first scenario can leave items for the player to pick up for the next playthrough.
8 Voice Acting - Resident Evil
Neither game has great voice acting, and the honor of Resident Evil winning here does not point to the game having better performances. On the contrary, the original Resident Evil has some of the worst voice acting in a major video game.
This game features countless endearingly poor lines of dialogue. Resident Evil 2’s voice acting is acceptable for the time, but it lacks the charm of the first game’s memorable writing.
7 More Interesting Remake - Resident Evil 2
This is not necessarily saying Resident Evil 2 has the better remake. The 2002 GameCube version of the original title retains the same gameplay, acting as a perfected edition of the classic.
On the other hand, Resident Evil 2’s remake utilizes completely different mechanics. It plays more like Resident Evil 4 while still retaining the spine-tingling survival horror. Because of this, the two live side by side, while the Resident Evil remake makes the original somewhat irrelevant.
6 Better Puzzles - Resident Evil
While still a notable survival horror game, Resident Evil 2’s puzzles are relatively simple and easy to figure out. Most of the game involves remembering which keys fit into what locks. The debut entry, meanwhile, puts a greater emphasis on puzzles.
While it won’t stump the average player’s progress like a point-and-click adventure game, many may have to stop and think about how to unlock new areas to explore in the original game. It is just obtuse enough to challenge players without becoming frustrating.
5 Better Characters - Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil has memorable characters, though the supporting cast mostly exists to be killed off. Resident Evil 2 has more unique characters who all play a role in the story. Every supporting character has their own motivation, and reason for staying in Raccoon City.
Police Chief Brian Irons, for example, is one of the more grotesque human villains of the franchise. The remake further fleshes out the characters, making the story even more interesting.
4 Live-Action Scenes - Resident Evil
This one relates back to the voice acting entry. The debut title’s campaign is bookended by live-action cutscenes, which are about as well produced and cheesy as one would expect from a PS1 game from 1996.
It all lends to the game’s charm. These scenes are undeniably laughable, and almost lull the player into a false sense of security. The actual gameplay is terrifying, and far more tense than the introduction would lead one to believe.
3 Hideki Kamiya - Resident Evil 2
Part of Resident Evil 2’s uniqueness comes from its director, Hideki Kamiya. It was the first game that he directed, after which he would go on to make other fantastic games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta.
This is not meant to show disrespect to Shinji Mikami, the director of the the first game. However, Hideki Kamiya is one of the most notable personalities within the gaming industry, as anyone can see by his Twitter account and his work on the sequel.
2 Better Setting - Resident Evil
The Raccoon City Police Department is an incredibly iconic location, but the Spencer Mansion has it beat. The isolated setting and enigmatic design is scarier than the familiar city and its police station.
Resident Evil’s 2002 remake showcases the setting in a whole new light, with the GameCube’s graphical prowess giving the mansion new life. Even though the RCPD is incredible, Spencer Mansion goes down as one of the best settings in all of gaming.
1 Bonus Content - Resident Evil 2
Like most Capcom games, every Resident Evil comes with bonus features unlocked after beating the campaign. In the original Resident Evil, the player just gets a few costumes. Resident Evil 2 includes costumes in addition to actual bonus modes.
These bonus modes add gameplay scenarios, with one letting players control Hunk and the other having players control a piece of sentient tofu. The Saturn release of the debut title actually includes a Mercenaries mode, but it is excluded from the more popular PS1 version.
Next: 10 Things You Never Knew About Resident Evil 4’s Development
