Kamiya Reveals Cut Characters in RE2 Dev Story
Kamiya Reveals He Once Cut All Original Characters From Resident Evil 2
Hideki Kamiya is widely known for shaping iconic action games such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, yet long before those titles he played a major role as producer of Resident Evil 2, one of the most defining entries in the survival horror series. In a recent social media post, Kamiya shared a humorous and surprising behind the scenes story that shines new light on early development decisions for the game.
According to Kamiya, he originally chose to remove every returning character from the first Resident Evil in order to rebuild the sequel as a completely fresh experience. Looking back, he now admits it was a misguided idea that failed to respect the expectations of long time fans. That early version of the project eventually became what is now known among fans as Resident Evil 1.5, a draft that never reached completion and was ultimately discarded.
The turning point came when veteran writer Noboru Sugimura joined the development team. After reviewing the project, he immediately criticized the lack of connection to the original game. His direct feedback pushed the team to create a new character who could bridge the narrative gap. That character was Claire Redfield, introduced as the younger sister of Chris Redfield, the missing protagonist from the first game. Claire’s addition not only restored continuity but also enriched the emotional weight of the story.
What followed was a remarkable shift. Resident Evil 2 went on to become one of the most acclaimed and best selling titles of the original trilogy. While some fans credit Kamiya’s bold early direction for keeping the game fresh, others highlight Claire’s introduction as the defining factor that elevated the narrative and cemented the sequel’s legacy. Regardless of which view is true, the story offers a fascinating look at how creative tensions can lead to some of the most memorable outcomes in gaming.
Resident Evil 2 originally launched on the first PlayStation, following the intertwined stories of Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie police officer arriving in Raccoon City for his first day of duty, and Claire Redfield, a college student searching for her missing brother. The game became famous for its Zapping system, where actions taken in one character’s route influenced events in the alternate route, creating a uniquely dynamic storytelling structure. The classic version is now available again on PlayStation 5 and PC through modern storefronts.
These behind the scenes reveals remind us that some of the best moments in gaming history were born from risky decisions, sharp criticism, and last minute course corrections that shaped Resident Evil 2 into a timeless icon.
