2019-03-01_Xbox_The_Official_Magazine

When we see this towering figure

we’re not sure whether to put up a

fight or run for it. We decide on the

latter but quickly realise that our

only route of escape is from where

it came. We attempt to circle around

him but he grabs us, lifting us in the

air. Luckily we’ve got a combat knife

and bury it in his arm. After dropping

us we run past him, down the corridor,

barge through a couple of doors and

onto a balcony in the main hall, the

sound of the Tyrant’s boots stomping

not far behind. We quickly dispatch

a zombie shuffling to our right and

make our way down to the floor of the

main hall. The Tyrant can still be heard

in the distance but it appears we’ve

their expectations. Certain things
happen differently to how they did
originally, or they may not happen
at all. This instantly removes any
advantage seasoned players may have
thought they had and puts them on
the back foot alongside everyone else.
Everything may float upon the waves
of familiarity but the moment you
realise that you have no idea what’s
going to be behind the next door or
around an approaching corner, the
fear and tension quickly sets in.
That’s when the game can focus
on pushing the sense of terror and
suspense. A perfect example was
when wefirst encountered one of the
more formidable foes, the Tyrant.

lost him for now. It isn’t long after the

sound of the footsteps stop that we’re

in the presence of a Licker, a skinless

beast with giant razor-sharp claws,

an elongated piercing tongue and an

appetite for human flesh. A note found

earlier informed us that as the Lickers

are blind you can safely pass them by

if you’re quiet enough. As we begin to

creep ever so slowly across its path it

snarls and postures in our direction.

We’re certain it’s spotted us and have

the urge to run, but we resist.

Star killer

Suddenly we’re filled with dread as

we hear the Tyrant’s heavy footsteps

behind us and the door we just

passed through crashes open. We run.

As soon as we do, the Licker screams

and launches towards us, slashing

at our back and knocking us down.

We get up just as the Tyrant tries to

pound us with his hulking fists. With

sweaty palms we limp away down

the long dark corridor. A lone zombie

crashes through the window ahead,

but it’s okay, we’ve almost reached

the save room, which are always safe

zones within RE games. We pivot the

camera just as we go through the

threshold and witness the horror

behind us; the Licker priming itself for

another attack, the zombie shuffling

towards us, and the Tyrant hot on our

heels. Then we’re through. We wait a

short

cut

WHATISIT?

A remake of the

original 1998 survival

horror game Resident

Evil 2.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Looks and feels like

the original game but

plays like the more

modern entries in

the series.

WHO’S IT FOR?

Perfect for those

looking to play RE2 for

the first time and

those looking to relive

the 1998 experience.

LEFTThe visuals

are beautiful

but extremely

gruesome at the

same time.

076 THE OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE