Resident Evil 2 Demo Data Mining Reveals Possible Game Modes, A/B Scenarios
Tech-savvy owners of the PC demo are looking for clues about the game from within its files.
By Chris Morse
Fans are finally getting their first taste of the upcoming Resident Evil 2 remake via its 1-shot demo and early impressions indicate the game is very much living up to expectations. Not only have some savvy players found their way around the demo's 30-minute time limit in a variety of creative ways (logging in as a different user on console or messing with Steam a little bit), others have taken things a little bit farther by beginning to data mine the game's files in search of new or unannounced details.
A user named Noodle on the ResetEra messageboard started the fun with a dump of game data mined from its Steam EXE file using a hex editor. This allows a tech-savvy user to look through all of the game's registered variables, which contain a wide variety of information ranging from maps and game modes to weapons and characters. We aren't going to ruin the fun by diving into any story-related spoilers here, but you can check out the full list of characters, bosses, and weapons right here.
What is most intriguing to us, however, is the game modes section of this data dump. The variables found in the hex editor seem to indicate that there will indeed be A and B scenarios for Leon and Claire, much like the original game had by allowing you to play through each character's campaigns in a different order for an enhanced experience. Also listed are three other modes named Ada the Spy, "4th Surviver," and "Tofu Surviver," incorrect spellings included.
We previously reported that those survivor mini-games were slated to be part of the remake, but this data dump seems to confirm that fact. As for the "Ada the Spy" mention, that could either refer to an additional mini-game or the section of Leon's campaign in which you take control of her. There's no official word on this, so it will be something that we have to wait and see on.
Finally, the last interesting name to pop up under the data mined game modes section is called "Rogue." This section seems to contain information about enemy kills, results, and a shop, but it's unknown whether this will be an additional game mode or is simply an extension of ResidentEvil.net's stat tracking capabilities, which is something that has been used in the past.
Regardless, this data dump seems to indicate that Resident Evil 2 will feature much more than just your standard campaign, much like the original game, which was full of mini-games and additional game mode. This new information, coupled with everything else we've learned over the past few months, makes us incredibly excited to get our hands on this one when it drops on January 25th for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Have you pre-ordered your copy yet?
In case you missed it, you can find a recap of the game's bonus content below, including a look at the deluxe edition, which features additional costumes, reversible slipcover artwork, a special weapon, and even a throwback to the original game’s soundtrack. All pre-orders will also include the classic Jill and Chris models of the Samurai Edge handgun.
The most interesting bonus costume for the deluxe edition, in our opinion, is Claire’s "Elza Walker" outfit. Long-time fans of the series may remember this name and look from the unreleased beta version of Resident Evil 2, dubbed Resident Evil 1.5 by fans. Back then, the game was far along in development before the concept was scrapped and Capcom settled on the classic game we all know and love, which is, of course, the one now being remade.
Claire also has a military outfit while she and Leon both have a special "Noir" costume. The latter very much gives us a vibe for The Evil Within. Leon's other bonus costume, the "Arklay Sheriff" outfit, pays homage to The Walking Dead and gives our rookie police officer the more polished look of Rick Grimes.
Also included in the deluxe edition is Albert Wesker's Samurai Edge, which seems to always make an appearance in newer Resident Evil games, a reversible slipcover featuring Leon on one side and Claire on the other, and finally, a retro soundtrack swap that allows you play through this remake while listening to the classic ambience of the original game
Resident Evil 2 arrives on January 25th, 2019 and will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
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