An In-Depth Look at Completing Both Runs of Resident Evil 2 Remake

With stunning graphics, amped up combat, and plenty of nods to the 1998 original, the 2019 Resident Evil 2 Remake transported many fans back to the early days of survival horror gaming bliss.

But exactly how long will your return trip to Raccoon City last? Let‘s break it down.

How Long to Beat RE2 Remake?

Focusing only on core story objectives, you can squeak through RE2make in about 81⁄2 hours. This assumes you mostly ignore side areas and collectible hunting.

However, exploring Raccoon City more thoroughly and completing all bonus modes will easily double your playtime to 15+ hours on the first run.

And since you need to finish the game as both Leon and Claire to see the true ending, tack on another 8-15 hours for the 2nd run.

All in, a single complete campaign with no stone left unturned will keep most players busy for over 30 hours. That‘s impressive longevity in today‘s gaming landscape!

"This remake of a survival-horror classic features new graphics, sounds, and gameplay mechanics alongside the same creepy atmosphere that terrified players back in 1998." – IGN Review

Why RE2make Takes Less Time Than the Original

Given the graphical overhaul and quality-of-life tweaks, you might expect RE2 Remake to be longer than the original PlayStation release.

However, while the 1998 version took most players 6-8 hours, this re-imagining only requires 81⁄2 hours to beat.

Several key factors contribute to the reduced playtime:

• No loading screens thanks to modern hardware
• Less backtracking with shortcut unlocks and key item reserves
• Refined map and onboarding makes navigation easier
• Difficulty adjustments provide more ammo and herbs
• Optional puzzles moved to bonus modes instead of main game

This streamlining is a double-edged sword. While appreciated in today‘s busy world, some players felt RE2make lacked the hardcore challenge of vintage survival horror.

Tips to Extend or Reduce Playtime

For those seeking epic 30+ hour campaigns, take time to:

• Search every room for items and lore
• Max out weapons with custom parts
• Complete bonus modes like The 4th Survivor
• Unlock concept art and 3D models
• S Rank all scenarios using rank guidelines

Alternatively, if you‘re tight on time or find the game too intense, try:

• Reducing difficulty to Easy or Assisted
• Following a walkthrough or guide
• Sprinting past enemies instead of killing everything
• Minimizing exploration to advance the story

The Must-Play 2nd Run Scenarios

One of the most rewarding aspects of RE2 Remake is that completing Claire or Leon‘s chapter unlocks an entirely new "2nd run" from the other character‘s POV.

This alternate storyline sees notable changes like:

• New enemy and item placements
• Rearranged room layouts
• Modified puzzles requiring different solutions
• Special boss fights to provide variety
• Key story developments that link both experiences

While the Police Station location remains mostly familiar, the fresh challenges make 2nd runs feel like an(approx. 80% new experience according to devs).

These B scenarios are crucial for witnessing key events absent from the initial chapters. And scoring an S+ rank on the 2nd run is the only way to view the true ending scene.

"The second run almost doubles the playtime with new puzzles, enemies, and a different perspective on the zombie outbreak in Raccoon City." – Polygon

To get more mileage, use the prior knowledge from your first run to uncover hidden items, sequence break, or challenge personal speedrun times.

Leon or Claire – Which RE2 Campaign Should You Start With?

Before beginning your nightmare in Raccoon City, players face another tough choice – stepping into the shoes of either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield.

Here‘s a quick rundown of their key differences:

Leon‘s newly-recruited cop role makes him our eyes into the chaos overtaking Raccoon City, with more dynamic shootouts and direct ties to famous series baddies.

Claire‘s campaign shines new light on secret Umbrella experiments and the fallout afflicting Sherry Birkin. Her puzzle-heavy path even includes an alternate version of the fan-favorite Licker first encounter!

While Leon‘s run is often recommended first for pacing reasons, Capcom designed Claire A / Leon B to be the canonical order linking future series entries.

Ultimately you can‘t go wrong either way! And RE2make encourages replayability by offering special unlocks for finishing both scenarios.

Speedrunning Tricks to Minimize Playtime

Think 8 hours still sounds too long? Buckle up, because talented Resident Evil speedrunners have cut complete 2nd run campaigns down to just 1 hour!

The top RE2make athletes utilize glitches and optimal routing to bypass entire sections, along with frame-perfect inputs to manipulate enemy behavior.

Here are some examples of their time-saving strategies:

• Using the knife or bullets to "stun lock" foes for easy escapes
• Skipping cutscenes and door animations with precise item usage
• Manipulating enemy movement algorithms
• Triggering out-of-bounds clips through walls
• Acquiring key items early by abusing blindspots

For us mere mortals, even following speedrun guides likely won‘t match pros‘ impossibly quick pace. The good news is that regular players have set respectable personal bests between 2-4 hours through practice.

"Remake world records prove mastering Resident Evil 2‘s many intricacies enables shocking feats of skill and efficiency."

Additional Playtime Facts About RE2 & Beyond

Hopefully by now you have a good sense of the base games‘ length. But a few related playtime tidbits are worth mentioning:

• RE2 Remake DLC The Ghost Survivors adds 2-3 hours of creepy "what if" scenarios
• The original 1998 PS1 RE2 takes 5-10 hours to complete both campaigns and battle modes
• The shortest RE game is Umbrella Chronicles at 5 hours
• The longest RE game is the action-packed RE6 at nearly 22 hours
• After RE2, Leon reappears as protagonist in RE4 (2004) and RE6 (2012), while Claire investigates RE Code Veronica (2000)

Given the variety of modes, difficulties, and playstyle options…enterprising players can easily extract 40+ hours from RE2make through multiple carefully paced playthroughs.

And hey – and no shame in blocking off a solid weekend to plow through both scenarios in one adrenaline-filled sitting!

The Nightmare Continues…

Reviewing the expanded content above still only scratches the surface of everything the RE2 Remake has to offer dedicated fans. Few modern reimaginings balance nostalgia and reinvention so expertly.

Hopefully our deep-dive provided some useful tips and intel to enhance your next visit to the doomed midwestern city. Whether you‘re a speedrunner looking to set records, casual gamer trying survive the night terrors, or simply a superfan, there‘s plenty to dig into.

Just be sure to pack some extra ammo, green herbs, and a fresh pair of pants!