Ink ribbons and typewriters were always one of the more unique save point systems – is that still the case in the Resident Evil 2 remake?
In the 1998 original Resident Evil 2, you needed ink ribbons to save your game. You’d lug them around in your inventory, taking up vital space that could be used for ammo or healing herbs, not knowing when best to use them.
When you found yourself in a safe room – designated by more relaxing music and the obligatory typewriter – you would then have to make a choice: do you spend an ink ribbon to save, or do you press on and save it for later in the game?
It was always a difficult decision, a tough balancing act between risk and reward, stick or twist.
Do you need ink ribbons to save in the Resident Evil 2 remake, though?
Short answer: no, you don’t. You no longer need to cart around ink ribbons to save.
Slightly longer answer: no, you don’t need ink ribbons to save in the Resident Evil 2 remake (but it’s still not quite as simple as that).
The Resident Evil 2 remake features an automatic checkpoint system, which will save your progress after major story beats. Those automated checkpoints are comparatively few and far between, though, so beware of relying on them.
So if you want to save your progress in between, you’ll still need to find those typewriters in safe rooms, but you can save at them as many times as you like (with no need for consumable items).
One small caution, though: if you’re concerned about your rating at the end of your Resident Evil 2 remake playthrough, the number of times you save will have a small impact. Circumspect, frequent typewriter saves will have more of a negative impact on your rating than occasional use.
It’s not quite the same degree of risk/reward as those old-school ink ribbons, but if you care about your rating, it’s worth keeping in mind.