What exactly Biohazard 1.5 did better than Biohazard 2?

[Orchid87]

Due to the chances of us getting BH1.5 later this year (for those living under the rock - an anonymous group has gotten their hands on the Beta disk. They are trying to make it more complete and playable and release both modded and untouched versions. Judging from their progress so far they have some neat ps1 hacking skills) I'd like to renew the old 1.5 vs 2 debate.
There is a common conclusion among the newcomers to the 1.5 scene that the prototype version is better than what we've got instead. I strongly disagree with that. There's a ton of information on 1.5 and I see why did Capcom decide to remake the game.

First of all - the characters. Everyone being fine and friendly 1.5 style is too lame for a horror game. In the final version Annette and Brian Irons are mad and die later, Robert Kendo is eaten by zombines, Ben is ripped from the inside, Sherry is scared the entire game and Ada is not a friendly scientist but a spy instead. All of this fits the mood of the game much better.
The locations - 1.5 police department is more realistic but it is dull and boring compared to what we got in the final. Also the detail in the backgrounds is much better in the released game. Warehouse and parking in 1.5 look almost laughable, even worse than BH1 backgrounds.

The character models are better in 2 no questions. We have less zombies on screen but at least the models are not as rough as in 1.5. Elza costume looks cool but doesn't fit the game atmosphere either. Although I would like to have it as an alternative RE2 costume. Claire's outfit is classic and sexy :3
Enemies - don't you think that gorilla zombies is a really dumb idea? Well the way they look in the 1.5 is even dumber. We've seen not enough thansformations of William in the released 1.5 media but his RE2 incarnation if just cooler and more menacing. I must admit that I like the 1.5 zombie cops cool blue uniform.

The worst of all - Capcom spoiled almost the entire game with previews (which is good now since it was not released)

In my opinion there are not many things that I prefer in 1.5. I really like the music selection there.


The first police station theme that plays at the beginning is nowhere to be found in the released game and it would really fit the early streets locations - I don't like the music that plays in the final game there.


The second police station theme is reused as the Marshalling yard 1 music in the final game and that area is too small to enjoy this great music :C


The lab theme which is reused as Wreckage of the mad experiment in the final game plays in one single room that you can't even access at your first walkthrough.

And those three are the best music pieces in both 1.5 and 2 in my opinion!

The second thing I miss are those creepy man-spider enemies.

Sorry, I am in rush now and add some comparison pictures later. Feel free to duscuss

[Soulis]

I don't know if 1.5 is better than 2, the only thing that matters is that its almost like a different game and that's good enough for me. A new old skool RE game? Why not? Having said that, i remember some screenshots from old magazines and it did have some interesting backgrounds covered by a blue-ish filter or something, making it quite atmospheric and cold. I kinda like that.

Anyway, now that RE 1.5 is going to be available, i hope someone gets his hands on RE 3.5. Now THAT'S a better game than the final one. Not that the final is bad. Its just not as Resident Evil-ish as the 3.5 version (well, apart from the paranormal theme that seems to exist in 3.5). Let alone the fact that because of this game the series went downhill afterwards because they decided to focus only on its action/shooter parts for the sequels.