The 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 proved a massive hit with fans. In addition to updated graphics and gameplay, this new iteration possesses a great advantage over the 1998 original in the form of mods. Although not as expansive as The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher 3 the Nexus site still hosts a fun collection of mods for Resident Evil 2.
Mods for Resident Evil 2 run the gamut from very useful to ridiculously silly. Graphics, customization options, and gameplay tweaks are still represented here. A few choice mods have also been included for the sake of hilarity. A player can't go wrong with this collection when thinking about reinstalling Resident Evil 2. Instructions to download these add-ons can be found on their linked pages on NexusMods.
Updated September 9, 2021 by Mark Hospodar: The 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 is impressive in many respects, not least of which is its faithfulness to the original classic beloved by fans of the franchise. The subsequent remake of Resident Evil 3, which was released in 2020, was met with a more mixed reception. One of the more glaring deficiencies with the remake was the absence of many of the iconic locations from the 1999 version. Currently, rumors are swirling over a potential update Resident Evil 3 may be receiving from Capcom. In the meantime, though, fans eager to experience a new twist on the frachise's earlier games will enjoy these mods for Resident Evil 2.
15 Fluffy Manager 5000
Depending on a player's preferences, there may be a large volume of mods installed at any given time for Resident Evil 2. Installing mods one by one manually can quickly become a messy and confusing process. It can sometimes be hard to tell why a mod doesn't work, but it usually has something to do with the way it was installed and where it was placed amongst the many game files.
One of the first and most basic applications for any game is a mod manager. For Resident Evil 2, it's a program known as Fluffy Manager 5000. This makes for easy management of a large collection of mods, which players can add or remove at will without the need to root around in the game's file folders.
14 Easier Spare Keys
Mods that implement quality of life improvements are a great way to make good games even better. Resident Evil 2 contains its fair share of puzzles, some of which revolve around cracking portable safes. The solution to these safes is based on a simple memory exercise that some players may inevitably find offputting.
For those who don't feel like dealing with these somewhat lackluster puzzles, the Easier Spare Keys mod is just the ticket. Instead of wasting several minutes memorizing the correct combination, the portable safes are replaced with spare keys instead with this mod installed. It may not be everybody's cup of tea, but at least it will save time.
13 F00X Leon Customization Pack
Leon Kennedy is one of the franchise's most prolific characters. The original iteration of Resident Evil 2 marked Leon's first outing, but it certainly wouldn't be his last. Fans who enjoy tweaking the appearances of their iconic heroes will be interested in the F00X Leon Customization Pack.
This mod incorporates additional options when it comes to Leon's aesthetics. Some of the package choices include a beard that even gets dirty over time, a new casual outfit, and a slightly different police uniform. Definitely give this mod a shot when looking to freshen things up for the next playthrough.
12 Darth Vader
Resident Evil 2 is a downright scary game, especially when one accounts for the appearance of Mr. X. However, sometimes injecting some humor into otherwise tense situations can be a lot of fun. Luckily, the Nexus site has that base covered.
Star Wars fans have the opportunity to replace the hulking Tyrant with everybody's favorite Sith Lord, courtesy of the Darth Vader mod. With this add-on installed, Darth Vader will stalk the halls of the police department, complete with a lightsaber as well as a helmet that can actually be shot off!
11 Snipz's Gun Workshop
Firearms play a pretty big role in Resident Evil 2. Serving as both offense and defense, the various guns scattered across the game map prove invaluable. Nevertheless, besides their obvious utility, players who desire a little more panache should check out Snipz's Gun Workshop.
The mod reskins many of the game's weapons, including the Samurai Edge, Shotgun, Magnum, and more. The flashiest among them are by far the golden skins. Now, players can take the fight to the undead in proper style.
10 Classic Inventory
Nostalgia can be a powerful technique to employ. As a remake, Resident Evil 2 obviously takes its cue from the 1998 original. By and large, it's quite faithful to the PS1 classic, but bears a few differences. Fortunately, fans can resurrect further aspects of the original in the form of mods.
Those that pine for a more vintage aesthetic should make use of the Classic Inventory mod. It replaces the vanilla inventory screen with one that harkens back to the good ol' days. Although it's not a huge mod by any stretch, it should make some longtime fans of the series smile.
9 X No More
Mr. X plays a prominent role in Resident Evil 2. This sharply dressed, undefeatable juggernaut continually hounds the player once they reach a certain stage of the game. His pounding footsteps echo throughout the halls of the police station, an undoubtedly nerve-racking sound. Exploration is no simple task in this game.
A mod with the apt title X No More gets rid of this terror-inducing behemoth. Mr. X's patrol of the police station hallways is removed, leaving just the common enemies. This makes exploration – and, by extension, the game itself – much easier. No more looking over Leon's shoulder with this mod installed.
8 First Person Camera
The Resident Evil series has experimented with different camera angles throughout its history. The original Resident Evil 2 utilized pre-rendered backgrounds and tank controls. The remake ditched these antiquated relics in favor of a Resident Evil 4 style of gameplay with an over-the-shoulder, third-person camera.
One of the more interesting mods available on Nexus actually allows the player to witness the game in a whole new way. The First Person Camera mod turns Resident Evil 2 into something more akin to Resident Evil 7 or Village. The zombie horror becomes even more immersive as players see through the eyes of both Leon and Claire.
7 Playstation Button Layout
It's very common for players on a PC to use a controller. Steam-users who prefer utilizing a Playstation controller are probably unsurprised to learn that many control schemes default to that of an Xbox, and in-game icons conform to an Xbox controller as well. It's a very small, yet annoying detail that affects some players.
The Playstation Button Layout mod is very straightforward in its purpose. It rectifies the little problem of the button icons by displaying the Playstation controls instead of those belonging to the Xbox. Players unfamiliar with the latter's controls can now have a much easier time without mixing up the game's buttons.
6 Thomas The Tank Engine Over Mr. X
It's already been established that Mr. X is a very frightening individual. Players can't kill him outright, only temporarily stun him. On harder difficulties, Mr. X can make short work of the player with his meaty fists. Running into him in a darkened hallway is a terrifying experience to behold.
Mods have come to the rescue in terms of dialing down the fear. There are quite a few options on this front, but arguably the best of the bunch is the Thomas the Tank Engine mod. Instead of a Tyrant in a fedora and trench coat, players will meet a comically large Thomas the Tank Engine. Fans of a similar mod for The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim that turns dragons into Thomas trains should feel right at home.