Claire isn't the brightest 😂

Okay, so who else remembers the absolute relief (or maybe frustration, depending on how many tries it took!) of finally cracking the Redfield personal office safe in Resident Evil 2? I swear, that early game puzzle threw me for a loop on my first playthrough. You're constantly low on inventory space and resources, so every single upgrade feels like a godsend. That's why this particular safe is such a game-changer, especially for Claire's campaign. I can vividly recall wandering around the RPD, constantly checking my map, trying to figure out where this "Redfield" office even was. For those of you still scratching your heads, let me walk you through it. You'll find it on the first floor of the RPD, specifically in the West Office. It's the room you pass through pretty early on, often filled with a few shambling zombies. The safe itself is tucked away in the smaller, personal office section of that larger room, usually near a desk. It's easy to miss if you're panicking from a Licker or zombie dog chase – trust me, I've been there! The combination itself is often found on a memo in the S.T.A.R.S. Office on the second floor, which is a bit of a walk. But for those who just want to get straight to the loot, here's the combination I always use: Left 9, Right 15, Left 7. Seriously, write that down! Inputting it correctly can be a little finicky with the dial, so take your time. Don't rush it, or you might overshoot. And what's inside this glorious metal box, you ask? A Hip Pouch! This isn't just any item; it's a vital inventory upgrade that adds two precious slots to your carrying capacity. In Resident Evil 2, every single inventory slot counts. This means you can carry more healing items, more ammo, or even an extra key item without having to constantly trek back to a storage box. For Claire, who often finds herself with a more varied arsenal, those extra slots are incredibly useful. It felt like such a huge boost to my survivability when I first got it. It makes managing your resources so much easier, allowing you to focus more on the intense combat and exploration rather than inventory Tetris. Beyond the Hip Pouch, you might also find some minor resources like handgun ammo or a gunpowder, but the Hip Pouch is definitely the main prize. It’s definitely one of those secrets that makes you feel "Claire is so smart" for finding it, even if you did have to look up the code! Unlocking this safe early can truly set the tone for a smoother run, especially on higher difficulties. So next time you're navigating the zombie-infested halls of the RPD as Claire (or Leon!), make sure you swing by the West Office and claim your much-deserved reward!