The acclaimed Resident Evil 2 remake has found a new and remarkably capable home on the Switch 2, with one writer finding it to be their preferred way to experience Capcom's survival horror gem. Despite previous attempts, the portability and visual enhancements of the Switch 2 version have made finishing the game a more achievable, and enjoyable, prospect.
The narrative of Resident Evil 2 picks up shortly after the original game's conclusion. Leon Kennedy arrives in Raccoon City for his first day as a police officer, only to find himself in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Simultaneously, Claire Redfield searches for her missing brother, Chris. After a series of escalating disasters, the pair are separated and must navigate the overrun city in search of an escape.
At its core, the remake faithfully adheres to the survival horror tenets established by its predecessors. Players manage limited inventory space within claustrophobic environments, solve often complex puzzles, and face the constant threat of zombies that can swiftly lead to a game over. Unlike some later entries, direct confrontation is not always the best strategy; conserving ammunition and strategically evading enemies are crucial. The game masterfully balances tension by forcing difficult choices: manage inventory, decide when to heal, and determine whether to risk leaving a zombie alive to conserve resources for later encounters. This delicate balance is maintained even as the player's arsenal grows, ensuring that moments of safety are hard-earned, and escalating to terrifying levels when the relentless Mr. X begins his pursuit.
The Switch 2 port itself is a technical achievement. In handheld mode, the game maintains a smooth and stable framerate with minimal visual artifacts, a noticeable improvement over some other recent Switch 2 ports. Crucially, the inclusion of HDR significantly elevates the visual experience. The enhanced contrast and color depth make the game's lighting and atmospheric effects far more impactful than on other handheld devices, where colors can appear washed out and glare is more prevalent. The game's dark and often grimy environments benefit immensely from HDR's ability to render deeper blacks and more nuanced lighting.
While some minor blurriness can be observed in shadows in handheld mode, an effect also present in certain lower-performance settings on other devices, it is largely unnoticeable during gameplay. The visual fidelity allows for a truly immersive experience, whether playing portably or docked.
For those who already own Resident Evil 2 remake on other platforms, the Switch 2 version's appeal lies primarily in its HDR implementation and the flexibility of its play options. However, for newcomers drawn to the survival horror genre, this iteration on the Switch 2 stands out as a highly recommended way to experience a modern classic.