With only a month away from the release of the Resident Evil 2 Remake, there have been more than several things introduced to the game, which include cosmetics, filters, sneak peaks, and new weaponry for the characters shown off in some gameplay videos. But one of the biggest things that changed from the original was the characters’ appearances. Given that 1998 graphics weren’t accurate to how characters needed to look, there was a lot to experiment and change with how the main characters looked. Fans agreed this was fine and welcomed the new appearances of Leon and Claire. Though, a recent tweet from the Japanese Resident Evil Twitter has fans reacting with everything except acceptance:
【レオン・S・ケネディ】ラクーンシティ警察署に配属された新人警官。赴任日直前に命令で自宅待機していたが、その後、連絡がないため不審に思い、署に向かうことに。数日遅れのラクーンシティ到着が、彼の命運を変えることになる。 #RE2_chara pic.twitter.com/VofXFRlrpT
— バイオハザード(カプコン) (@BIO_OFFICIAL) December 27, 2018
When translated, this reads: “New officer Leon S. Kennedy was assigned to Raccoon City. Before going on duty, Kennedy was at home on standby, waiting for his orders. After no one contacted him and feeling something was off, Kennedy headed to the station. Days later, after arriving in Raccoon City, his life changed.”
Now, this is very different from Leon S. Kennedy’s original backstory with how he got into the mess of Raccoon City back in the 1998 classic. In the first guidebook, Leon S. Kennedy’s girlfriend had left him, prompting him to go relieve the closest bar of any and all alcohol they had stocked. Getting completely drunk, he overslept through his alarm. Waking up, he missed every ounce of news about the zombie apocalypse, which explains his obliviousness to the undead the next day when coming in late for work.
Many fans already enjoyed and loved the original start-up to Leon’s career, even going so far as making jokes about it in their Twitters on the anniversary of his first day:
2) “Oversleeping from drunkenness a day late on September 29, he rushed back onto the road when he wasn’t able to telephone into the station.”
The new #RE2_chara biography of #LeonSKennedy in #ResidentEvil2Remake looks very different, many loved the old one °A°
— NoriyukiWorks (@NoriyukiWorks83) December 28, 2018
9/29/98: Late to work from a hangover, officer Leon S. Kennedy arrives in Raccoon City. (RE2: Leon B start) pic.twitter.com/Wu0DNCb175
— Unhappy Lew Year (@strongest_human) August 3, 2016
While the new background for Leon is watered down, it lacks the comedy of the original that fans had enjoyed so much about him. Fans had stated that it gave Leon more depth, but also explained the ridiculous intro cutscene from the original game. There has been no word from the Resident Evil crew of why his background was changed the way it was, but fans have clearly kept up with the backlash in regards to the change. This even started a debate forum over on Reddit over whether or not this new background suits his character more.
I like the old back story better. It made him more human.
— Wootz43 (@OrbitalFrame7) December 28, 2018
@RE_Games @ImKatastrophe lets give Leon back his original backstory, because this new one is boring AF. No break up? no booze bender? Le’ yawn.
— AdrianEC (@Adrian_E_Comeau) December 30, 2018
why would you change one of the most important things in Leon’s story??? why would you do that?? please don’t :((((
— Juliana (@wingedfreckles) December 29, 2018
And finally:
ないわー
— こーひぃ☕ (@Kan__coffee) December 27, 2018
Translated: “No.”
Resident Evil 2 Remake is still set to come out on January 25, 2019, though it’s clear Capcom isn’t done with showing off little changes and new things for the upcoming game; it’s possible there will be more. Follow their Twitter for any more drops and news for Resident Evil 2 Remake.