Resident Evil 1.5: A Lost Game More Playable Than Ever

Resident Evil 1.5

Before Resident Evil 2 became one of the most iconic survival horror games of all time, there was another version — one that came tantalizingly close to completion before Capcom scrapped it entirely. Known to fans as Resident Evil 1.5, this lost prototype featured a different-looking Leon Kennedy, a completely original protagonist named Elza Walker instead of Claire Redfield, and a drastically different take on the Raccoon City Police Department.

Now, thanks to dedicated modders and archivists, a new and improved restoration of Resident Evil 1.5 is available, offering fans a glimpse into the Resident Evil sequel that could have been.

Unlike the final version of Resident Evil 2, which reimagines the RPD as a gothic nightmare housed inside an old art museum, Resident Evil 1.5 took a much more grounded approach. The police station in this version was filled with modern offices, reception areas, and long industrial corridors — more in line with what you’d expect from a real precinct.

The story was different, too. Leon wasn’t a rookie on his first day, but a veteran RPD officer. Marvin Branagh, a minor character in RE2, had a much larger role, accompanying Leon for a good portion of the game. Other scrapped characters included Linda, an Umbrella researcher, and John, a Raccoon City civilian. Even the overarching plot diverged — Umbrella’s crimes had already been exposed, and the company was on the verge of collapse.

Over the years, chunks of Resident Evil 1.5 have surfaced — leaked assets, demo discs, and even insights from former Capcom developers. Modders, using these fragments along with old interviews and design documents, have worked tirelessly to restore the game into something playable.

Now, modder MartinBiohazard has released the most polished version yet. This update includes bug fixes, tweaks to zombie damage values, and even the ability to play as Marvin Branagh. While Resident Evil 1.5 remains an unfinished relic, this latest restoration is the best way to experience a fascinating piece of Resident Evil history.

It may not be the Resident Evil 2 we know today, but it’s a glimpse into what might have been — and thanks to dedicated fans, it’s now more playable than ever. You can try out the release and watch actual gameplay below.

[Source]

Related Articles

Advertisment ad adsense adlogger