You’re standing in the rain outside the Raccoon City Police Department, and honestly, the vibes are already rancid. If you’re looking for a walkthrough for resident evil 2, you probably realized pretty quickly that this isn’t a standard shooter. It’s a resource management nightmare. You’ve got three bullets, a broken knife, and a seven-foot tall mutant in a trench coat is about to make your life miserable.
Survival here isn't about aim. It's about knowing which hallway is a death trap and which one is just a waste of time.
The RCPD is a puzzle, not a level
Most people treat the police station like a combat zone. Huge mistake. The RCPD is a giant, mechanical rubik's cube. Your goal in the first three hours is basically just opening doors. You need the Lion, Unicorn, and Maiden medals. But here is the thing: the game wants you to backtrack. It craves it.
The West Office is where things usually go sideways for beginners. You’ve got Leon’s desk with two locks. The codes are NED and MRG. Don't overthink it. Just grab the high-capacity mag and keep moving. If you spend too much time loitering in the hallways, the zombies you "killed" will just get back up. Unless you see their heads pop like a wet grape, they are coming back.
Why your knife is more important than your gun
Seriously. In the 2019 remake, the knife has durability, but it's the best defensive tool you own. If a zombie grabs you, you jam the blade in their chest. You lose the knife temporarily, but you keep your health. If you kill the zombie, you get the knife back. It’s a loop. Use it.
Dealing with the Licker problem
Around the time you reach the third floor near the C4 barricade, you’ll meet the Lickers. They’re blind. This is the part of the walkthrough for resident evil 2 where I tell you to stop running. Just stop. If you tilt the analog stick slightly and walk, they won't hear you. You can literally brush past them. It’s terrifying, but it saves you about 15 shotgun shells you’re going to need later for the boss fights with William Birkin.
Birkin is a whole different brand of headache. His first form (G1) is all about the right shoulder. That giant eye? That’s the target. Don’t spray and pray. Wait for the eye to open, hit it with the handgun, and when he kneels, that is your cue to go ham with the knife or the shotgun.
Mr. X and the art of not panicking
The second the helicopter fire is put out, the music changes. You hear those heavy boots. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Mr. X is a persistent stalker. He cannot be killed. You can "down" him, but it’s a waste of ammo. The trick to a successful walkthrough for resident evil 2 during the mid-game is pathing. Mr. X reacts to noise. If you’re sprinting and firing your gun, he’s going to find you in thirty seconds. If you move quietly, he has to actually patrol and find you.
The safe rooms are your only friends
He can’t go into the STARS office. He can’t go into the Darkroom. Use these spots to catch your breath. If you’re trapped in the Library—which is a classic "game over" spot—loop him around the top floor walkway. The AI is predictable. He’s slow. He just looks scary.
The Sewers and the "G" adults
The Sewers are arguably the worst part of the game. It’s brown, it’s drab, and the G-Adults are annoying. They hang out in the water and grab you. Most players try to kill them. Don't. It takes too much ammo. Bring a Blue Herb mix (Red + Blue + Green is the "God Blend" that gives you a defense buff) and just tank the hit. If they grab you, use a sub-weapon, and swim past while they’re stunned.
You’re looking for the electronic parts for the chess puzzle. This is where the walkthrough for resident evil 2 gets technical. The solution changes depending on if you are playing Scenario A or Scenario B.
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For Scenario A:
- Right Wall: King, Queen, Pawn.
- Left Wall: Bishop, Rook, Knight.
Check the labels on the boxes. The game tells you where they go, but it uses riddles. If you’re playing Claire, your loadout is different. Her grenade launcher with flame rounds is the ultimate "delete" button for the Ivy zombies you’ll find later in the NEST laboratory.
The NEST: Speed is everything
Once you hit the lab, the game becomes a sprint. You need the herbicide. You need to upgrade your wristband. The Ivy zombies (the plant guys) are the real threat here. If they grab you and you don't have a sub-weapon, it's an instant kill. No second chances. Always carry a flash grenade or a knife in the greenhouse.
Leon gets the flamethrower here. It’s the best weapon for the Ivies. Just a quick puff of flame to knock them down. Don't waste the fuel trying to incinerate them completely unless they’re blocking a narrow door.
Managing your inventory for the final stretch
By the time you reach the final elevator, you should have saved your "Magnum" or "SMG" ammo. The final boss (whether it’s G4 Birkin for Claire or the Super Tyrant for Leon) is an endurance test.
For Leon's final fight against the Super Tyrant:
You don't actually have to kill him. You just have to survive. Damage speeds up the timer, but eventually, Ada will drop the Rocket Launcher. Pick it up. One shot. Done.
For Claire's G4 fight:
Use everything. The minigun you find is great, but grenades are better. G4 is a giant mass of eyes and teeth. Throw every hand grenade you’ve been hoarding. It destroys his health bar faster than any bullet.
Actionable steps for your next run
The secret to mastering a walkthrough for resident evil 2 isn't about being a pro gamer. It's about being a boring accountant with your inventory.
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- Map Knowledge: Always check your map. If a room is red, there is an item you missed. If it’s blue, you’re done. This prevents unnecessary backtracking.
- The "Rule of Two": Never carry more than two main weapons. You need those inventory slots for puzzle items and herbs.
- Combine early: Never carry single herbs. Mix them immediately to save space. A Red + Blue mix is better than a Green herb because it prevents poison and reduces damage taken for a limited time.
- Board the windows: In the early game, use the wooden boards on the West Hallway windows. If you don't, that hallway becomes a meat grinder later when Mr. X is chasing you.
- Check the gunpowder: Don't just craft handgun ammo. Save the High-Grade gunpowder for Shotgun shells or Acid rounds. Handgun bullets are everywhere; the heavy stuff isn't.
Once you finish the game once, you unlock the 2nd Run. It’s harder, the puzzles are slightly different, and the "true" ending is hidden behind it. But the fundamentals stay the same. Move quiet, shoot straight, and never, ever waste a grenade on a single zombie.
Save your game at the typewriter. Take a breath. Raccoon City is a disaster, but you can get out.