There is a new model of Resident Evil 2 made particularly for arcades, and an early model of it’s already playable at Namco Funscape within the UK.
Resident Evil 2: Useless Shot, as this on-rails lightgun iteration is understood, is the product of a collaboration between Bandai Namco and Capcom to create a contemporary arcade iteration of the latter’s survival horror basic.
IGN has visited Namco Funscape in Romford, north-east London, and gone hands-on with Resident Evil 2: Useless Shot ourselves — as you may see in our first footage above.
In it, we are able to see that Useless Shot has cut up Resident Evil 2’s narrative into 5 episodes, with the primary two already unlocked. It is believed that this arcade cupboard has been put in inside Namco Funscape for testing, with early bugs ironed out after public play.
Useless Shot’s first episode is its prologue, with a second episode titled “Hunted”. Loading up the prologue, the sport then introduces Resident Evil 2’s setting to gamers: “Leon and Claire discover each other on the streets of Raccoon Metropolis. Chased by zombies, they evacuate to the police division solely to find additional horrors inside.”
As you choose your episode, a zombified hand shatters by the display screen, pulling you (and your co-op associate) in.
The opening part sees Leon and Claire preventing their manner into the Raccoon Metropolis Police Division, previous zombie cops and zombie canine. The sport’s visuals look like based mostly on Capcom’s 2019 Resident Evil 2 Remake.
As soon as contained in the constructing, the pair introduce themselves to one another earlier than extra zombie cops interrupt the get together. Nonetheless, there’s time for a bit little bit of exposition from just-about-still-alive cop Marvin Branagh, earlier than the motion continues.
As with different arcade lightgun video games, you will have to level the gun away from the display screen and pull the set off to reload. You will routinely reload while you run out of bullets, however guide reloading is quicker.
It is unclear how lengthy Resident Evil 2: Useless Shot will stay playable at Namco Funscape, however if you happen to’re headed down within the close to future look out for the neon red-lit cupboard with photos of Leon, Claire and Ada Wong.
It is intriguing to see the Resident Evil sequence that includes Raccoon Metropolis right here as soon as once more, forward of the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary subsequent yr, and the launch of Resident Evil: Requiem.
Capcom has teased that Requiem will see a return to the “overarching narrative” of Resident Evil begun 30 years in the past, and an early trailer has already featured the reappearance of the RCPD — albeit after its later destruction in Resident Evil 3. (Followers are additionally sure Leon will seem, although for now, Capcom is retaining schtum.)
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You possibly can attain Tom at [email protected] or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social