// Beta Versions

The rough draft of a video game usually differs greatly from the end result. This section describes the differences between the various versions of Resident Evil 2 and CODE: Veronica.

Resident Evil 2

Before Resident Evil 2 was what we have today, the original draft was a whole lot different. During the original draft, the director and workers started to believe it was too similar to the first Resident Evil game. Because of this, they ditched it and began all over. Eventually, we got the RE2 we all know and love. Fans titled the beta-RE2 as Resident Evil 1.5.

Leon, Sherry and Ada were all characters in 1.5. Claire was not. Instead, there was a girl named Elza Walker. Blonde hair, motorcyclist bodysuit and loose ponytail. Yes, Elza Walker is pretty much a different version of Claire. But, she was not Chris Redfield’s sister, which certainly changes the storyline a lot. If they had kept the 1.5 game, CODE: Veronica may have never existed. Elza seems to care for Sherry the same way Claire did, but it is unknown how the game would’ve ended.

Elza was indeed a motorcyclist just like Claire. In numerous clips it seems like the characters act alike, but her voice is not done by Alyson Court (neither is Sherry’s done by her RE2 actress). Some differences, however, is that Brian Irons was not supposed to be a bad guy in 1.5, which further changes the storyline. Elza seems to have contact with Marvin (who lives and is Leon’s secondary character) just like in Resident Evil 2, but whether or not he or Chief Irons lived is unknown.

For more detailed information on Resident Evil 1.5, visit BioFlames.

CODE: Veronica

Just like with RE2, CODE: Veronica had a beta version. The graphics have a different coloring to them, resembling the beta of RE2 and even Zero. For an unknown reason, some images of the beta show Claire wearing a similar outfit as her RE2 one, minus the vest, since she gave that to Sherry; in other images, Claire wears pinkish pants. Both versions of her clothing, however, are still mid-drift and bear the “Let Me Live” logo, but the color is hot pink like the rest of her outfit.

One interesting fact about the beta is enemy locations. Claire had interactions with Hunters and enemies like the Moths and Spiders seem to be on Rockfort, too. More zombies were scattered throughout the island, including Claire’s original jail cell. The beta also had first-person and third-person modes, but it’s not known whether you could directly switch back and forth or if there were different gameplays. Notably, “Alexia” also seems to have a quick appearance right before Claire walks up the steps to the Ashford Manor.

Neither Steve nor Rodrigo were sighted in the beta version, but because it was still early in development and we never saw Chris either, both Steve and Rodrigo probably did exist. It seems the main difference between the released and beta is simply the graphics, and it’s long been debated which console the original CODE: Veronica was intended for.

For more detailed information on the original CODE: Veronica, visit RE: Survivor Guide.

The Resident Evil/Biohazard game series and its characters are © to Capcom and Shinji Mikami. I am not affiliated with anyone or anything by any means. This is fansite, meaning it was created by a fan, and there is absolutely no profit being made from its contents. Fanlisting design, content and coding, however, belong to the webmaster, Bianca, and should not be redistributed without permission.