Trivia Facts

The gas station's name is Mizoil.  This is a reference to WWE wrestler The Miz.

Due to the game's more photorealistic setting, the design team opted to make changes to the original appearances of the characters.  Leon no longer wears large shoulder pads, which were added to distinguish his original, low-polygon model. Ada Wong's red dress was dropped in favor of a trench coat with sunglasses for similar reasons.

The "Master of Unlocking" achievement is a reference to Barry Burton's notorious line from the original Resident Evil, released in 1996.

When the player defeats the final form of William Birkin, an upclose shot of his eyeball and narrowing iris is briefly seen. This is a nod to the title screen of the original Resident Evil 2.

Visible in the Raccoon City skyline is a neon sign that reads "REDRUM" which spells "MURDER" backwards. While this is a reference to Stephen King's book The Shining, this message can also be seen in the original Resident Evil 2.

The development team's number one priority was to emphasize horror over action, in order to retain a claustrophobic feel that classic Resident Evil games are known for. They also opted to create a new sense of horror that the original game couldn't capture, such as up-close shots of gore content or when the player is attacked as well as enemies in hiding that could surprise the player. Lighting effects also played a role in this, where some rooms are darker than others and require the use of a flashlight in order to navigate these darkened areas. The game's dynamic sound range was also utilized to alert the player of an enemy nearby and when the enemy sees the player. This is most prominent in Mr. X's footsteps which is also meant to give the player a sense of fear and uneasiness.

The remake was first announced in August 2015, with producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi explaining in a video that the remake had been approved and was in active development, ending the video with the phrase "We Do It."

Many of the facial appearance of the characters are modeled after real people. Leon's appearance is based on model Eduard Badaluta, Claire's appearance is based on model Jordan McEwen, and Marvin Branagh is based on music producer Patrick Levar.

The Resident Evil 2 remake had its own promotional booth at the E3 2018 show, featuring a mock-up police car with the R.P.D logo on the hood and a shattered windshield adorned with fake blood. There were even road barricades placed around the car, painted blue that read "POLICE LINE - DO NOT CROSS RPD".

During the scene where you enter the gas station, an ice cream freezer is visible with a message that reads: "Herbs Ice Cream: Herbs heal you!" This is a reference to the healing herbs used throughout the Resident Evil franchise.

Remaking the original Resident Evil 2 was actually considered as early as 2002, after the release of the remake of the original Resident Evil, but it never got off the ground during that time as series producer Shinji Mikami rather focus on the development of Resident Evil 4 instead.

The license plate on Claire's motorcycle reads "J2198", which is a reference to the US release date of the original game (January 21, 1998).

The game shipped three million copies worldwide in its first week of sales, rising to four million within a month with over one million on PC. It became Capcom's second biggest launch on Steam after Monster Hunter: World.

One of the nameplates on the desks in the western office is 'Rita Phillips.' This character was seen in Resident Evil Outbreak File #2, in which she helped survivors escape from the police station.

Hideki Kamiya, director of the original Resident Evil 2 said in an interview that he pushed Capcom to create the remake for years. He resigned from Capcom in 2006, and years later met up for drinks with Kazunori Kadoi, who joined Capcom the same year Kamiya did and were good friends. It was during this night out that Kadoi revealed to him that he was directing the Resident Evil 2 remake. Kamiya was floored and overwhelmingly flattered at this news and responded: "What? You're doing WHAT?!...we need to go drinking some more."

One of the lockers in the game has the name 'JoJo' written on it. This is a connection to the series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which was also created by Capcom.

Near the beginning of the game is an ad from a freelance photographer named Frank East. This is a reference to Frank West, the protagonist from Capcom's 'Dead Rising' who is also a photographer.

Near the beginning of the game is a building with the title 'Arukas.' This is a reference to Sakura from the Street Fighter series, which is also a Capcom franchise.

In the Umbrella laboratory, there is a computer terminal which has a log of people who have used the Nap Room within the facility. Two of the people are named Cyril Archer and Desmond Lock. The former is a reference to the character Cyril Figgs from the television show Archer, while the latter is a reference to Desmond Hume and John Locke from the television series Lost.

The walls of the police station's morgue are peppered with victims' photos and their autopsy reports. If players look closely, they can actually find a blurred, half-hidden pic of Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks.

When the player finds the spade key, a miniaturized figure resembling the mannequins from Resident Evil 7: biohazard can be found beside it. The player can also find a pair of these mannequins in the storage room when playing as Claire.

A fan-remake of Resident Evil 2 (1998) called "Resident Evil 2: Reborn" was in the works, which was built on the Unreal Engine 4. The release was planned for late 2015 and would have been available as a free download. However, in August 2015, Capcom politely asked the developers to cancel the project, as an official remake was in the works. After the team agreed to cancel the fan-project, Capcom invited them to the studio so they could add their own input on the remake.

In the gas station at the beginning of the game, there is a sign advertising coffee from 'Colombian Roastmasters.' This is a reference to the coffee shop of the same name from the first Dead Rising game.

The games gives you the option to play with the original soundtrack and sound effects and character appearance from 1998 as a DLC add-on feature.

Except for the first build up, the game has no loading screens.

Introduces the red and blue herb combination, which not only cures poisoning, but also makes the player temporarily invulnerable to it. It will also increase the defense for a while.

Mr. X Tyrant was made physically shorter as opposed to the original game, and was also given a fedora hat. This was done to reflect its purpose for covert operations, as it would appear more human from a distance.

Was built from the ground up on the RE Engine, the same engine that was used for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017).

Leon Kennedy is 21 during the events of Resident Evil 2. This remake comes out 21 years and 4 days after the release of the original PS1Resident Evil 2.

Ada was the character that took the developers the longest to get right, as they tried to figure out which appearance would fit the character. They decided to base her appearance on that of a classic spy with a trench coat, although she later reveals her original red dress underneath.

According to Capcom, this game is a new entry to the series rather than just a remake.

Although they didn't appear in the game as an enemy, the sound of crows can be heard when Leon and Ada go down the short alleyway that is right next to the door that Kendo the gun shop owner and his daughter go into during a cutscene.

No ink ribbons are needed to save this game when it's played on an easy or a normal difficulty. However, on a higher difficulty, this item is required.

In the first William Birkin boss fight, you can hear Birkin scream for help a few times.

It's worth noting Irons' area of the R.P.D. is free of any damage and was sealed off from any zombies.

One of Claire's alternate costume is Elza Walker's bike suit. Elza Walker is the beta version Claire Redfield from the original Resident Evil 2 beta game (Resident Evil 1.5).

How Marvin got bitten would be revealed in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis Remake.

Two game modes from the original Resident Evil 2 (1998), "The 4th Survivor" and "The Tofu Survivor" return in this game.

Capcom decided to go with non-union voice actors for this remake, which explains why none of the original voice cast members returned for the game.

Enemies are able to chase the player from one room to another.

Some of the damage in RPD was done by Carlos while looking for information.

According to the developers Mr. X is chasing both Leon and Claire around RPD. Which why he gives up on one target that eludes him and goes after the other. His fate changes based on whom is the player character.

It makes sense Leon gets his RPD uniform on when he's at the station. There was a spare outfit and protective gear in his size. There also wouldn't be anything to fit Claire, whom is a civilian.

Considering all the spare lumber to board up the windows, the RPD did a poor job of choosing what areas to seal off. Though this can be blamed on Chief Irons, who wanted everyone to get killed.

It's very likely William Birkin's human brain died when G2 grew a new head. The body won't supply blood to a head that doesn't control the body. His face doesn't make any expressions or move, supporting the theory.

Zombies don't go down after set amount of hits like in the past. You have to attack until the part of its body you targeted gets destroyed.  Though heads are a lot harder to destroy with firearms.

Even if you don't shoot of Mr. X's fedora, he will be missing it once you leave RPD.

You can shove a knife into zombie' chest upon being grabbed, to make them let go. You can also shove grenades and flash bangs in their mouths just like Chris Redfield could do in the first Resident Evil Remake.

William mutates faster due to all the damage Leon and Claire did to him. The G Virus is infamous for its healing and adaptability, which explains why he gets less human ever time he heals.  He was holding on until his second stage, where the virus forcibly grew a new head to subdue William's conscious control of his body. Anything left of his humanity was destroyed after G-III was achieved.

You can kill zombie Marvin before he gets up. But you need a lot of firepower to explode his head.

Mr. X can't enter save rooms but can swipe at you if you are too close to the doorway. He'll also give up and walk away after some time, resuming his search for targets.

Even if the NEST didn't self destruct, the missile would have destroyed the entrance level to the team the next morning.

Mr. X avoiding the clock tower isn't just to give the player breathing space in tight quarters.  Umbrella likely programmed him to ignore locations that would have loud noises like turning gears and bells ringing.

Unless Annette could remotely give Mr. X orders via his temple implant, it's not really feasible that he would know to go into the sewers to find his targets.

Irons took Sherry hostage because he wanted to hide the importance of the pendant. Ultimately it's his attempts to hide the truth that cost him his bargaining chip. Sherry dropped the pendant in fear of him threatening Claire's life.

Mr. X ignores zombies and Lickers because he is programmed for living human kills. He knows that the bloodied grey flesh and the lack therefore on both means they are not targets.

Despite being fan-favourites, giant moths, spiders and zombie crows are absent in this remake. According to the producers, they were dropped as they would've clashed with the realistic tone the developers were aiming for.

The original game began with an "A" scenario featuring either Claire or Leon. Upon completing it, a "B" scenario from the perspective of the other character was unlocked, offering a different plot

The zombie alligator sequence was almost cut from the game, but the studio decided to leave it in due to its popularity among fans of the original.

Mistakes

In the opening video during Leon's campaign you see Leon drive to a gas station and begin fueling his Jeep. Leon then hears a commotion inside the gas station causing him to become curious. When the game allows the player to take control of Leon, if you instead turn and look at the fuel pump you will notice the nozzle magically disconnected and hung itself back up on the fuel pump.

This game is set in 1998. However, when playing as Leon, he is driving a 2007 Jeep Wrangler the very beginning of the game.

After Claire gets to the orphanage to rescue Sherry, Claire will run into Chief Irons. Just as Chief Irons comes out the door, quickly pause the game and click "Skip". This will skip the cut scene and show Chief Irons eyes still moving in weird directions just before it skips.

Throughout the entire story line, whether playing as Leon or Claire, the characters are shown in cut-scenes to be using only their regular pistol weapons (Matilda for Leon, SLS 60 for Claire) regardless of whether or not the player has those weapons. Also, even if such weapons are upgraded with new attachments acquired throughout the game, the pistols are still shown in cut-scenes in their completely unaltered form.

The game takes place in 1998.  However, a 2006 Chevrolet Impala can be seen in the background.

RPD Chief Brian Irons uses a Smith & Wesson Model 329PD to threaten Claire in the RPD parking lot. That model was not available until 2 years after the game's setting.