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Biohazard
2
バイオハザード2
29 Jan 1998 |
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Following
the massive worldwide success that was the original
Biohazard (1996),
it was a given that Capcom would deliver a sequel at
some point. Expectations were high, but
the sheer hysteria that surrounded the development and
eventual release of Biohazard 2 set new standards
in terms of media and fanboy euphoria. Capcom knew they were onto something, and built up the hype to fever pitch.
The most infamous part of the story was that Capcom
allegedly had a near-finished version of the game ready
to go, but cancelled it at the last minute. The real reason
for this will probably never be explained; the most
popular one so far (now 'confirmed' by Capcom) was that
they 'not happy with the final product'. The game was
'too similar to the original', and what they wanted
above all, bless their hearts, was to 'provide fans
with a superior experience'.
This prototype game (pictured left) has since become
known as Biohazard 1.5 - and
amusingly it is not a long way off the eventual final
product - which ended up being both very similar to the original
and a superior experience at the same time. |
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Biohazard
2 introduces Leon Kennedy (a rookie police officer)
and Claire Redfield (sister of Chris, hero of the previous installment).
Arriving in Racoon City together, they discover in horror
that hordes of the town's citizens have become zombies
- and have taken to killing, trespassing, loitering,
jaywalking, and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
This immediately
causes Leon's cop-mind to go into an irreversible funk,
and Claire to don a pink zip top / hot pants combo.
Both decide that their best option is to split up and run amok with guns blazing.
As you may have guessed, the predictably goonish 'video
game' approach to the storyline and overall feel
of the game remain very similar the original. The core mechanics are mostly unchanged, balancing maze-like exploration on one hand, and a distinct lack of ammunition
on the other. Both characters once again have their
own sub-plots and sidekicks, all of which harbour different
goals and motives.
The interesting part though is that now both adventures
are featured on separate discs, set in and around the
exact same locations. This creates the illusion of two
parallel storylines, along which the two occasionally
meet for a bit of bonding and gossip. |
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This adds even more stress onto
the 'replay' appeal: there are
not only two games (Leon's and Claire's) but two
versions of each to explore. Capcom know that repeat play and mastery of the game are key to a game's durability
and long-term appeal.
Just when you think it's all over, you find yourself
coming back for more. A small selection
of mini-games quickly open up, pitting you against the
clock and a pre-set task. From the secret 'Hunk' game
to the extraordinarily hard 'Tofu' knife-only game,
there's something in here for even the most hardened
players.
The 'Dual Shock' re-issue edition is worthy of note for adding
an even more challenging 'Extreme Battle' mode (right), featuring a whole selection of different bonus
games and high score challenges.
Make no mistake, this is great stuff. All the best trademark
elements of the Biohazard series are on display here, and the best is yet to come. |
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Biohazard
2
バイオハザード2
PLAYSTATION |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation |
| Released |
29
Jan 1998 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-01222~3 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 2.4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.20 |
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And
here it is: the original PlayStation
release of the much-anticipated
Biohazard sequel. Two discs
choke full of action and challenge.
Essential gaming right here.
Double-CD case, PS CD-ROM
x 2, 28-page colour manual,
two sets of memory card stickers,
spine card. |
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Biohazard
2 Prologue of Terrors
バイオハザード2
プロローグ オブ テラーズ
JIYU GAME GRAPHICAL SERIES |
DETAILS
| Format |
Magazine |
| Released |
27
Jan 1998 |
| Publisher |
Media
Factory |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88991-510-9 |
| Size
(cm) |
29.7
x 21 x 0.4 (A4) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.24 |
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Celebrational
tie-in magazine released on
the same day as the game.
Articles cover game development,
design, content & artistic
influences: mythology, novels,
horror moves, games, and even
a close-up on Capcom's Sweet
Home (1989).
Excellent stuff.
64
pages, 48 in colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2 Original Soundtrack
バイオハザード2
オリジナル・サウンドトラック
SOUNDTRACK CD |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
29
Jan 1998 |
| Publisher |
Suleputer |
| Product
ID |
CPCA-1001 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Official
'Original Soundtrack' release
from Capcom and Suleputer.
CD
case, 31-track audio CD, 8-page
colour booklet, spine card. |
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Biohazard
2 Shigaichi Dasshutsu Manual
バイオハザード2
死街地脱出マニュアル
HAOH GAME SPECIAL 115 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
20
Mar 1998 |
| Publisher |
Kodansha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-06-343115-0 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1.2
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.34 |
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High-quality
'Dead Town Area Escape Manual'
guide book from the Kodansha
team.
Breaks down all 4 of the game's
quests into easy, step-by-step
instructions with overhead
maps and numbered columns
for each event.
146
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2 Kōshiki Guide Book
バイオハザード2
公式ガイドブック
GUIDE BOOK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
27
Mar 1998 |
| Publisher |
ASCII |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-7572-0012-9 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1.3
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.40 |
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Quality
'Official Guide Book' from
Studio Bent Stuff, Capcom
and Famitsu; a massive, serious,
and very text-heavy affair
presenting a 6-chapter compendium
that covers all of the ins
and outs of the game with
customised 3D maps.
272
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2
バイオハザード2
V-JUMP BOOKS GAME SERIES |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
31
Mar 1998 |
| Publisher |
Shueisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-08-108074-7 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1 (A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.28 |
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V-Jump's
Biohazard 2 book
is a far more colourful and
practical affair, featuring
an interesting recto/verso
layout: one half is dedicated
to Leon's game, the other
to Claire's. Comes loaded
with images and illustrations,
and two fold-out maps.
Recommended.
194
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2 Dual Shock Ver.
バイオハザード2
デュアルショックバージョン
PLAYSTATION |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation |
| Released |
6
Aug 1998 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-01510~1 |
| Size
(cm) |
14
x 13 x 1.3 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.18 |
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Full
re-release of the PS Biohazard
2 featuring 'Dual Shock'
compatibility, 'Rookie' and
'USA' game modes, an all-new
(and excellent fun) 'Extreme
Battle' time attack game,
and ranking screens for the
'Hunk' and 'Tofu' games. Brilliant.
Twin-CD case, PS CD-ROM x
2, 32-page colour manual,
spine card. |
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Biohazard
2 Complete Track
バイオハザード2
コンプリートトラック
SOUNDTRACK CD |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
Aug 1998 |
| Publisher |
Suleputer |
| Product
ID |
CPCA-1011 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.12 |
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Second
soundtrack release featuring
bonus tracks from the 'Dual
Shock' version and 'Extreme
Battle Remix' tracks.
Also includes a bonus mini-CD
with sound effects and character
voices.
CD
case, 42-track audio CD, 8-track
mini CD, 8-page booklet, spine
card. |
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Biohazard
2 Kenkyū Doku Hon
バイオハザード2
研究読本
RESEARCH ON BIOHAZARD 2 FINAL EDITION |
DETAILS
| Format |
Book |
| Released |
1
Sep 1998 |
| Publisher |
Micro
Design |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-944000-77-4 |
| Size
(cm) |
25.7
x 18.2 x 1.5 (B5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.64 |
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Stunning
'Research Reader' tribute
book from Micro Design.
Full of data, profiles, sketches,
photos, monster, character
and weapon features, art galleries,
models, merchandise and a
large B&W section with
sketches, interviews, articles,
and even an extensive look
at the numerous horror movies
that inspired the series.
This is essential stuff for
all Biohazard aficionados.
210
pages, 147 in colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2 Dual Shock Ver. Kōshiki Guide Book
for Arrange Game
バイオハザード2 デュアルショック Ver. 公式ガイドブック for ARRANGE GAME |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
23
Oct 1998 |
| Publisher |
ASCII |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-7572-0228-8 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1.3
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.42 |
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Top-class
'Official Guide Book' release
from the Famitsu team.
This one focuses primarily
on the Dual Shock version:
specific chapters cover the
'USA', 'Rookie', 'Extreme
Battle' and '4th Survivor'
games, all illustrated with
with 2D and customised
3D maps. Very nice indeed.
256
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2 Dual Shock Ver. Kyūkyoku Kōryaku
Hon
バイオハザード2
デュアルショックバージョン 究極攻略本
V-JUMP BOOKS GAME SERIES |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
23
Oct 1998 |
| Publisher |
Shueisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-08-779001-0 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1.3
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.30 |
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V-Jump
indulge themselves with another
Biohazard 2 book;
an 'Ultimate Capture Book'
for the Dual Shock Ver. that
cuts to the chase by presenting
a heavily illustrated, functional,
and well-paged walkthrough
with level layouts depicting
every item location, and with
2 large pull-out maps.
202
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
2 Value Plus
バイオハザード2
バリュープラス
DREAMCAST |
DETAILS
| Format |
Dreamcast |
| Released |
22
Dec 1999 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
T-1214M |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 2.4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.22 |
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Superb
re-issue of Biohazard
2 for the Dreamcast.
Includes all of the extras
from the PS 'Dual Shock Ver.'
along with bonus ‘Data
Gallery’, 'Rough Sketch'
& 'Movie' options, along
with a bonus CD featuring
a playable demo of Biohazard
Code: Veronica (2000).
Double-CD case, Dreamcast
GD-ROM x 3, 32-page colour
manual, 3x2 fold-out manual
(for demo disc), spine card. |
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Biohazard
2
バイオハザード2
NINTENDO 64 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Nintendo
64 |
| Released |
28
Jan 2000 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
NUS-NB5J-JPN |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 3 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.22 |
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Capcom
managed quite a feat by squeezing
the entirety of Biohazard
2 (and all of its cut
scenes) onto a single N64
cartridge.
It has also become quite hard
to find of late.
Standard N64 cardboard packaging,
512Mbit cartridge, 24-page
colour manual. |
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Biohazard
2
バイオハザード2
GAMECUBE |
DETAILS
| Format |
GameCube |
| Released |
23
Jan 2003 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
DOL-GHAJ-JPN |
| Size
(cm) |
14.7
x 10.5 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Biohazard
2 gets itself the full
re-release treatment, part of Capcom's
mass endorsement of the GC
as 'official Biohazard platform'.
Almost identical to the DC
version - i.e. just as good
as ever!
Standard GC packaging, GameCube
game disc, 32-page colour
manual. |
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Biohazard
2 Kanzen Kōryaku Guide
バイオハザード2
完全攻略ガイド
CAPCOM KANPEKI KŌRYAKU SERIES 25 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
5
Feb 2003 |
| Publisher |
Futabasha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-575-16367-8 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 2.1
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.52 |
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Superb
'Complete Capture Guide' for
the GameCube re-release.
Features extensive and in-depth
walkthrough guides for both
the 'Leon-Claire' and 'Claire-Leon'
games; followed by 'Basic',
'B.O.W.', 'Map' and 'Item'
sections.
The works, 2K3 stylee.
272
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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'Biohazard'
and 'Capcom' are registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd.
'Playstation' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
'Dreamcast' and 'Sega' are registered trademarks of Sega Corporation
'Nintendo 64', 'Game Cube' and 'Nintendo' are registered trademarks
of Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Biohazard 2 TM & © 1998 Capcom All Rights Reserved
Page
content, design & layout © 2012 Arcade Gear |
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