Unraveling the Horrors: Where Exactly is Resident Evil 2 Set?
Resident Evil 2 plunges players into the heart of a biohazard outbreak within the fictional Raccoon City, a community nestled in the Midwestern United States during the fateful month of September 1998. Umbrella Corporation’s T-virus has ravaged the city, transforming its inhabitants into hordes of zombies and other terrifying creatures. The game follows the intertwined destinies of Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie cop, and Claire Redfield, a college student searching for her brother Chris, as they navigate the zombie-infested streets, police station, and underground Umbrella laboratories in a desperate fight for survival.
Exploring the Iconic Locations of Raccoon City
Resident Evil 2’s setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an integral part of the horror experience. The game masterfully uses its environments to build tension, claustrophobia, and a sense of isolation.
The Raccoon City Police Department (R.P.D.)
Initially a haven for the survivors, the R.P.D. quickly becomes a labyrinth of horrors. This location, meticulously designed and fraught with puzzles, serves as a critical hub in the game. Its once-grand halls and offices are now littered with the undead, forcing Leon and Claire to strategically navigate the dangers and uncover the secrets hidden within. The R.P.D. demonstrates the failure and subsequent overrun of law enforcement due to the scale of the outbreak.
The Sewers and Underground Laboratory
Beneath the surface, Raccoon City’s sewers offer a dark and treacherous path, teeming with mutated creatures and grotesque experiments. This leads to the ultimate reveal of the game’s central conflict: The Umbrella Corporation’s underground laboratory, where the T-virus was developed. It’s here that the true extent of Umbrella’s twisted ambition and the horrifying consequences of their bio-weapons program become chillingly apparent.
The Significance of Location in Resident Evil 2’s Narrative
The setting of Resident Evil 2 isn’t simply incidental; it’s crucial to understanding the narrative and thematic underpinnings of the game. The isolation of Raccoon City amplifies the sense of despair and the futility of fighting against a force as powerful and insidious as the T-virus. The familiar, everyday locations—police stations, hospitals, city streets—becoming sites of unimaginable horror creates a profound sense of unease and highlights the fragility of civilization in the face of uncontrolled scientific ambition. The game creates a unique experience in how environments of safety quickly and suddenly degrade into places of abject horror. For more on the use of games for teaching and educational purposes, be sure to check out Games Learning Society for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Resident Evil 2’s Setting
Here’s a deep dive into the finer details of Resident Evil 2’s setting.
1. What state is Raccoon City located in?
While the game doesn’t explicitly state the state, supplemental materials, including Resident Evil novels, have placed Raccoon City in Pennsylvania.
2. When do Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 take place in relation to each other?
Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 take place at approximately the same time, with some overlapping events. Resident Evil 3’s initial events occur before Resident Evil 2, and then RE2’s events take place during a specific period in the middle of RE3. The end events of Resident Evil 3 conclude after those of Resident Evil 2.
3. How old is Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 2?
Leon Kennedy is 21 years old during the events of Resident Evil 2. This is his first day on the job as a police officer.
4. How old is Claire Redfield in Resident Evil 2?
While her exact age isn’t stated in the game, it’s generally accepted that Claire Redfield is around 19 years old during Resident Evil 2, making her a college student searching for her brother Chris.
5. What is the T-virus?
The T-virus is a biological weapon created by the Umbrella Corporation. It transforms humans (and other living organisms) into zombies and various mutated creatures.
6. What is the Umbrella Corporation’s role in the Raccoon City incident?
The Umbrella Corporation is directly responsible for the T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City. They secretly developed and tested the virus, leading to its accidental release and the subsequent devastation.
7. Is Raccoon City a real place?
No, Raccoon City is a fictional city created for the Resident Evil universe.
8. Why was Raccoon City destroyed?
The U.S. government ultimately destroyed Raccoon City with a missile strike in an attempt to contain the T-virus outbreak and prevent it from spreading further.
9. Are there any other survivors from Raccoon City besides Leon and Claire?
Yes, there are other survivors who escaped Raccoon City, including Jill Valentine (from Resident Evil 3) and other minor characters throughout the games canon. However, their stories are explored in other Resident Evil games.
10. Does Resident Evil 2 Remake change the setting significantly?
The Resident Evil 2 Remake stays true to the original setting of Raccoon City but enhances the visual fidelity and detail of the environments. It also expands upon some areas and adds new details to the lore.
11. Are there any references to Resident Evil 1 in Resident Evil 2?
Yes, there are references to Resident Evil 1, particularly through documents and files found within the game that detail the events of the Mansion Incident. Claire’s motivation in searching for her brother, Chris Redfield, also directly links back to the first game.
12. Does the time of year (September) impact the game’s atmosphere?
The late summer/early fall setting of September contributes to the game’s atmosphere, conveying a sense of decay and the impending end of summer. This also makes it even more unsettling that the outbreak happens quickly and catches the community of Raccoon City completely by surprise.
13. How does the limited technology of 1998 factor into the gameplay?
The game’s setting in the late 1990s influences the available technology and resources, adding to the survival horror elements. Limited ammunition, antiquated computer systems, and lack of modern communication tools all contribute to the characters’ vulnerability.
14. Why is the Raccoon City Police Department such a key location?
The R.P.D. is strategically important as it’s the primary location where Leon and Claire first encounter each other and begin their fight for survival. It also houses vital resources, puzzles, and information necessary to progress through the game.
15. Does Resident Evil 2’s setting influence later games in the series?
The Raccoon City incident, as depicted in Resident Evil 2, has a profound impact on the entire Resident Evil series. It sets the stage for Leon and Claire’s development as characters and shapes the overarching narrative of the fight against bioweapons. Subsequent games often reference the events of Raccoon City and the legacy of the Umbrella Corporation.
The setting of Resident Evil 2 plays a crucial role in immersing players in the game’s world, amplifying the fear, and making the story more compelling. Raccoon City will continue to be an iconic location that defines the survival horror genre.