By December 2019, Capcom had released several waves of DLC. The CODEX repack conveniently unlocked and integrated all of these into the base game, removing the need for separate installations. The DLC included in this package fell into three distinct categories:
1. The "Ghost Survivors" (Free DLC) This was the most substantial content drop of the year. While not a traditional "2nd Run" style campaign, The Ghost Survivors provided three distinct, highly replayable mini-campaigns focusing on characters who canonically died in the main game:
2. The Classic Costumes (Paid DLC) Capcom released several premium cosmetic packs that were highly requested by veteran fans:
3. The Original Soundtrack Swap (Free DLC) For purists who preferred the haunting, MIDI-esque original compositions by Makoto Tomozawa, Akari Kaida, and Shusaku Uchiyama over the fantastic—but decidedly more cinematic—2019 orchestral rearrangements, Capcom included a free DLC that allowed players to swap the in-game music back to the 1998 versions.
Published: December 18, 2019 | Category: Game Updates, DLC, Modding
On December 18, 2019, the scene group CODEX released a significant update package for Capcom’s critically acclaimed survival horror masterpiece, Resident Evil 2 (Remake). Labeled as Update V20191218 Incl DLC, this patch arrived nearly a year after the game’s initial launch in January 2019. While console players had received the "Ghost Survivors" DLC months prior, this specific update was crucial for the PC modding community and those seeking the complete, definitive version of the game on a standalone installer.
This article dives deep into what this update contained, how to identify it, the technical changes it introduced, and why it remains a benchmark release for archivists. Resident Evil 2 Update V20191218 Incl DLC-CODEX
By December 2019, Resident Evil 2 had already received several stability patches and content drops. The v20191218 update served primarily as a "all-in-one" package. While it did not introduce major new story chapters (like Shadow of Rose in RE:Village), it did include:
Before dissecting the update, a quick refresher: Resident Evil 2 is a full remake of the 1998 classic, built on Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine (the same engine powering Resident Evil 7 and Devil May Cry 5). The game follows rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they navigate a zombie-infested Raccoon City. Upon release, it was hailed as a gold standard for remakes, blending over-the-shoulder action with tense exploration.
The base game (CODEX release) originally included the main scenarios (Leon A/Claire B, etc.) but locked certain cosmetic items and the post-launch story episodes behind a paywall or a required "Re.net" account.
The Resident Evil 2 Update V20191218 Incl DLC-CODEX is more than just a cracked patch; it is a historical snapshot of Capcom’s masterpiece at its peak modding potential. While official updates eventually added visual bells and whistles, this release remains the gold standard for players who prioritize stability, performance, and community mods over ray-traced reflections.
For archivists, this is the definitive way to experience the terror of Mr. X without the interference of anti-tamper software or post-launch bloat.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and archival purposes regarding software version history. We do not condone piracy of games that are readily available for purchase. By December 2019, Capcom had released several waves of DLC
Resident Evil 2 Update V20191218 Incl DLC-CODEX refers to a significant release from the scene group
that packaged a specific game update with nearly all available digital content
. Most notably, this December 18, 2019, update marked the official removal of Denuvo Anti-Tamper DRM from the Steam version of the game. Update V20191218 Highlights This version, also recognized as Update 5 (v1.04)
, focused on technical stability and minor content additions: DRM Removal
: The primary change was the removal of Denuvo, which often improves CPU performance and loading times for some users. Easter Egg Content : This update added a letter from Jill Valentine
(the protagonist of Resident Evil 3) in Kendo’s Gun Shop, serving as a teaser for the then-upcoming Resident Evil 3 Remake New Achievement : Reading this letter unlocks the "Chasing Jill" achievement. Technical Fixes this December 18
: It corrected typos in the porting credits and addressed issues where TAA anti-aliasing Image Quality graphics options were not functioning correctly. Included DLC & Content
The "Incl DLC" portion of this package typically encompasses the Extra DLC Pack and other rewards:
The Resident Evil 2 Update V20191218 Incl DLC-CODEX represents a significant milestone for the 2019 remake of the horror classic. Released in late 2019, this specific update version—often referred to by its release group name "CODEX"—consolidates the game's core improvements and a wealth of additional content that was released throughout its first year. Key Features of Update V20191218
This update serves as a comprehensive package for players looking for the definitive version of the survival horror experience. It addresses several technical issues while integrating previously separate DLC items:
Technical Enhancements: Includes fixes for graphical options such as TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing), Image Quality settings, and Light Reflection bugs that affected visual fidelity on certain PC configurations.
Stability Improvements: General performance and stability tweaks to ensure smoother gameplay on modern hardware.
Denuvo Removal: Historically, this update period was notable for the removal of Denuvo Anti-Tamper technology, which many players found improved CPU performance and load times. Included DLC Content
The "Incl DLC" portion of this update is particularly valuable, as it unlocks a vast array of cosmetic and gameplay-altering items that were originally part of the Extra DLC Pack or released as standalone rewards: