A classic of the genre, Resident Evil 2 and its remake are the pinnacles of action-zombie games, introducing iconic characters and set pieces to the series and pop culture at large. Many of the Resident Evil 2 characters here also go on to star in many other Resident Evil games, so it really set the course of the franchise. If you want to get to know the whole gang, our guide is the perfect answer. Here we list the most important people from the main story, and break down everything you need to know to get you up to speed with the events that transpire in Racoon City. Are they all good guys? Do they all survive? We’ll leave that to you to discover, but this guide is a great place to start.
Before we bust open the door of knowledge and fire information bullets straight at you zombies, you should check out our other great content, like articles that cover Resident Evil Village DLC, Resident Evil 3 safe codes, Resident Evil in order, and the best Resident Evil games on Nintendo Switch.
Let’s get into our Resident Evil 2 characters guide.
Resident Evil 2 characters
Leon S Kennedy
You can read much more about him in our full Resident Evil 2 Leon guide, but there are a few facts you need to know from the start. Leon S Kennedy is a rookie cop, heading to the Racoon City Police Department for his very first day, only to have to deal with a zombie outbreak. Terrible luck, honestly. Leon has a kind heart, a keen sense of justice, and is fairly skilled with a gun. All of these traits make him a great protagonist, so it’s no wonder he carries on (spoilers) to be the star of Resident Evil 4.
Claire Redfield
The sister of Chris Redfield from the original Resident Evil, Claire Redfield comes to Raccoon City in search of answers regarding her brother’s disappearance. She quickly arrives to discover that, sadly, zombies are everywhere. She finds a young girl stuck in the middle of the turmoil and assists her, and she also meets Leon at the start of the game before being separated and then reuniting with Leon S Kennedy on his mission later on. Claire is incredibly smart, and intuitive, and has her wits about her. She might not have the strength of her brother Chris, but there’s a reason she’s still around.
Ada Wong
One of the more mysterious characters in Resident Evil 2, Ada Wong’s allegiances and employers are mysterious, but she appears to help Leon Kennedy on a few occasions, so at the very least, she’s not evil. Whoever she is, Ada is a very skilled agent and sure knows her way around a gun and a zombie.
Lieutenant Marvin Branagh
An officer of the Raccoon City Police Department, Marvin is in the station during the initial outbreak, though he couldn’t prepare himself for the level of action the undead monsters unleashed. He helps Leon during his adventure, though sadly, Lieutenant Marvin Branagh isn’t cut out for action, taking more of an informant role by giving Leon the information he needs to get around the station.
Sherry Birkin
A young girl who is picked up by the Raccoon City Police Department shortly before the outbreak, Sherry Birkin is found by Claire Redfield, and together they have to find a way out that avoids the monsters, both undead and the living. While she’s very clearly scared of what’s going on, Sherry is also incredibly smart and shows great courage in her mission for freedom.
Mr X
Not so much a character as an unstoppable force, Mr X is also known as the tyrant or the T-100, and he exists solely to terrorise the protagonists, chasing through hallways and busting through walls like the cool-aid man in his attempt to hill Leon and Claire. He attacks with powerful punches, and his only weakness is his exposed head. Good luck landing any hits though.
That’s it for now, folks. We hope this helps you understand the story of Resident Evil 2 a little better, and good luck with your zombie-killing adventure. For even more great games like this one, be sure to check out our guide to the best Switch horror games next.