Cracking the Code: Your Hilariously Practical Guide to S-Ranking Resident Evil 2 Remake
So, you want to be a zombie slayer? Think you can land headshots and dodge Lickers? Test your skills for the coveted S-Rank in Resident Evil 2 Remake. Sounds hard? It’s more like speedrunning, with time for a casual walk—at least during the frantic shooting and puzzles while a Tyrant hunts you. Let’s dissect the S-Rank like a zombie—way cleaner in this case.
Decoding the S-Rank Enigma: Requirements Laid Bare
Want that beautiful ‘S’ on your results? Here are the details to help you survive and brag:
- Time is of the Essence (the Undead Don’t Care About Clocks):
- Standard Difficulty: You have 3.5 hours for the main story. It’s like a long lunch break… with zombies.
- 2nd Run Shenanigans: In the 2nd Run, time is tighter. Standard has 3 hours, while Hardcore only allows 2. Hope you skipped breakfast. For more on 2nd Runs, check this guide.
- Hardcore Hustle: Hardcore S-Rank needs serious speed. Scenario A? Under 2 hours 30 minutes. B? Just 2 hours. Better tie your shoes tight.
- Standard S Rank Refresher: Just to clarify, Standard S Rank is under 3 hours 30 minutes for Scenario A and under 3 hours for Scenario B. In case you blinked.
- Save Scarcity – Panic is Part of the Fun:
- Only three saves for your S-Rank run. Choose wisely, padawan. Need a reminder on saving? VG247’s guide can help.
- Maximize Those Saves: We said it twice for a reason. Three saves. Don’t save too much. Be smart.
- Weaponry Restrictions? Not Really (Unless You’re Going for S+): Good news! You can bring all your weapons to the S-Rank game.
- Item Etiquette: Sprays are a No-Go, Herbs are Your Friends: First aid sprays are frowned upon. Herbs? Totally fine. Go green.
S-Rank Secrets: General Tips from a (Slightly) Sane Survivor
Now that you know the rules, let’s get into the real work of achieving S-Rank without losing sanity:
- Efficiency is Your New Best Friend: S-Rank might seem like climbing Everest in pajamas, but it’s doable. Think of it as a chill speedrun. As
TrueAchievements notes in their S-Rank guide, efficiency matters. - Fast and Furious (Gameplay, That Is): Channel your inner Vin Diesel (without the car, unless running from Mr. X counts). Focus on moving quickly, prioritize headshots to save ammo, and maintain your pace.
- Inventory Tetris: Strategic Item Use: Manage your inventory carefully. Don’t hoard. Use what you need when needed, and discard the rest. Think Marie Kondo for zombie survival.
- Save Like a Pro: Wisdom in Saving: Three saves are key. Make each one count. Your strategic save points are allies.
- Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect: Learn Raccoon City like your home (hopefully less filled with undead). Understand enemy patterns, map layouts, and puzzles until it becomes second nature.
Infinite Ammo? Yes, Please! (But with a Caveat for S+)
Who doesn’t love infinite ammo? Like cheat codes for adults. Good news: you can use infinite weapons for S-Rank!
- Infinite Power Unleashed: Go crazy with infinite weapons! They’re allowed for S-Rank!
- S+ Snobbery: Knife Exception: After the coveted S+, things tighten. Only the infinite knife is permitted. S+ is for purists who enjoy stabbing zombies repeatedly.
- Infinite Knife Hack for S+: Use the infinite knife! Grab the Elite Knife from Bonus Weapons shop and retrieve it at a typewriter. Bonus weapons don’t affect achievements, so go ahead.
- Unlocking the Arsenal of Infinity: Want endless bullets? Here’s how:
- Samurai Edge Handgun: Achieve S-Rank on Standard (Leon A/Claire A under 3:30:00 or Leon B/Claire B under 3:00:00) for the infinite Samurai Edge.
- LE5 Submachine Gun: Secure Hardcore S-Rank (Leon A/Claire A or Leon B/Claire B) for the infinite LE-5.
Difficulty Dilemmas and Scenario Selection: Making Smart Choices
Picking difficulty and scenario wisely can ease your S-Rank journey (or reduce disaster).
- Assisted Mode Advantage (Sort Of): You can score an S-Rank in Assisted mode, even S+! But here’s the catch: results only show Normal and Hardcore. So, it works, but it’s like winning a race no one sees. The timer judges S-Rank.
- Leon vs. Claire: The Great Debate (Spoiler: Leon Wins… Kinda): Leon or Claire? Classic question. For S-Rank, Leon’s campaigns are usually simpler. His enemies seem less aggressive than Claire’s. If you’re optimizing for S-Rank, Leon’s your best bet.
- Second Run Strategy: Speedrun Superstar: The 2nd Run is made for speedrunning. Different items and puzzles create a faster experience. If speed matters, 2nd Run is your playground.
Time Warp Tactics: Managing the Clock Like a Boss
Time is your enemy (besides zombies). Understanding its flow is crucial for S-Rank success.
- Cutscene Comfort: Time-Out for Drama: Good news! Cutscenes don’t count against your time. Feel free to enjoy those dramatic moments without worrying about the clock.
- Inventory and Map Menus: Time Marches On: Be careful in menus; the timer doesn’t pause here. Speed through inventory checks or map looks; the clock runs!
Unlockables: Spoils for the S-Rank Victor
S-Ranking provides more than bragging rights; it brings sweet unlockables!
- Infinite Rocket Launcher: Boom Goes the Zombie (and Your Problems): Score S+ Rank on Hardcore with Leon? Congrats! You get the infinite rocket launcher! Sometimes you need excessive firepower to fix problems.
- Infinite Minigun: Spray and Pray, Infinitely: Same condition as the rocket launcher applies to Claire on Hardcore S+. Infinite minigun chaos awaits!
- Samurai Edge (Again, But Different): Complete Normal or Hard under 5 hours with specific save limits to unlock a standard Samurai Edge. Not infinite but classic.
- Unbreakable Combat Knife: Stabby Stab Stab, Forever: Collect all Mr. Raccoon toys for the unbreakable knife. Stab zombies without durability worries!
Bonus Intel: Nuggets of Wisdom for the Aspiring S-Ranker
Extra tips for your S-Rank journey:
- S-Rank Difficulty? Chill Out, It’s Not That Bad: Seriously, S-Rank seems daunting, but it’s not impossible. With planning and practice, S-Ranks will come!
- S-Rank Demystified: What Does ‘S’ Even Mean? The letter ‘S’? Stands for “Special,” “Super,” or even “Exemplary” in Japanese. It means you’ve done great.
- Tyrant Taming: Avoiding Mr. X (Relatively Easily): Mr. X sweating you? Don’t worry! Dodging him in Greenhouse and NEST is surprisingly easy. He appears near end areas only when you keep moving. Keep going, and you’ll likely outpace him.
So there you have it. Your detailed (and hopefully fun) guide to achieving S-Rank in Resident Evil 2 Remake. Now go forth, slay zombies, manage time wisely, and claim S-Rank glory. Just to save smartly, aim high, and skip those first aid sprays. Good luck!
