A few days ago, Capcom and GOG surprised fans by announcing they would be re-releasing the original Resident Evil trilogy on PC. Along with providing easier access to the original trilogy, DRM-free, GOG has also revealed that the original version of Resident Evil 2 is based on the 1998 Windows PC version.
It’s been hard keeping this secret but I’m happy to announce that GOG is doing the impossible and is bringing back the classic Resident Evil Trilogy! I’ve played the ports of RE1/2, and here are my thoughts on what I’ve experienced! RTs very appreciated! https://t.co/lh4dHfsnYd pic.twitter.com/p15HI87qTO
— Suzi Hunter (@TheSphereHunter) June 26, 2024
The news was first reported by YouTuber The Sphere Hunter, who revealed she had the chance to play the first two games in advance — revealing that Resident Evil 2 classic was based on the original Windows PC version, not the Sourcenext version. A GOG spokesperson also confirmed this detail to IGN in a statement sent via email.
If you’re unfamiliar with these two ports, the former was released in 1998 for Windows 98, while the latter, developed by software company Sourcenext, was a WindowsXP-compatible port released exclusively in Japan in 2006.
The biggest difference between these two versions is that the Sourcenext version provided higher-quality full-motion videos (FMVs). Many Resident Evil fans have argued that the Sourcenext version was the definitive way to play Resident Evil 2 on PC. Though this version was only released in Japan, as content creator Ultra Creed pointed out, fans have used the Resident Evil 2 Classic REbirth mod to not only translate the Sourcenext version to English (minus the FMVs) but also add support for modern controllers and added optional gameplay features you could enable, such as quick turns and tactical reloads.
In our review of the original PC version of Resident Evil 2, IGN wrote: “It’s just too shallow for the average PC gamer. With such little change over the Playstation version, it makes you wonder why it took Capcom three months to get this one out on the PC.”
The original Resident Evil is now available on GOG. Resident Evil 2 and 3 are not available yet.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
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