Earlier than Resident Evil 2 grew to become some of the iconic survival horror video games of all time, there was one other model — one which got here tantalizingly near completion earlier than Capcom scrapped it solely. Identified to followers as Resident Evil 1.5, this misplaced prototype featured a different-looking Leon Kennedy, a totally authentic protagonist named Elza Walker as an alternative of Claire Redfield, and a drastically completely different tackle the Raccoon Metropolis Police Division.
Now, due to devoted modders and archivists, a brand new and improved restoration of Resident Evil 1.5 is accessible, providing followers a glimpse into the Resident Evil sequel that would have been.
Not like the ultimate model of Resident Evil 2, which reimagines the RPD as a gothic nightmare housed inside an outdated artwork museum, Resident Evil 1.5 took a way more grounded method. The police station on this model was full of fashionable places of work, reception areas, and lengthy industrial corridors — extra in keeping with what you’d count on from an actual precinct.
The story was completely different, too. Leon wasn’t a rookie on his first day, however a veteran RPD officer. Marvin Branagh, a minor character in RE2, had a a lot bigger function, accompanying Leon for a very good portion of the sport. Different scrapped characters included Linda, an Umbrella researcher, and John, a Raccoon Metropolis civilian. Even the overarching plot diverged — Umbrella’s crimes had already been uncovered, and the corporate was on the breaking point.
Through the years, chunks of Resident Evil 1.5 have surfaced — leaked belongings, demo discs, and even insights from former Capcom builders. Modders, utilizing these fragments together with outdated interviews and design paperwork, have labored tirelessly to revive the sport into one thing playable.
Now, modder MartinBiohazard has launched probably the most polished model but. This replace consists of bug fixes, tweaks to zombie injury values, and even the flexibility to play as Marvin Branagh. Whereas Resident Evil 1.5 stays an unfinished relic, this newest restoration is one of the simplest ways to expertise a captivating piece of Resident Evil historical past.
It will not be the Resident Evil 2 we all know as we speak, however it’s a glimpse into what may need been — and due to devoted followers, it’s now extra playable than ever. You’ll be able to check out the discharge and watch precise gameplay beneath.
