Navigating the ominous corridors of the Raccoon City Police Department in the Resident Evil 2 remake presents players with numerous classic puzzles. One of the earliest brainteasers you encounter involves unlocking a double-locked desk belonging to the rookie cop, Leon S. Kennedy. Solving this puzzle grants a highly useful inventory upgrade that significantly eases your survival journey during the initial hours of the campaign.
Understanding the West Office Desk Locks
The desk itself is located in the West Office on the first floor of the police station, surrounded by barricaded windows and desks. To clear the locks, you must inspect two separate padlocks that secure the left and right drawers. A nearby note left by Leon's colleagues hints that the solution lies within the first initials of the officers who were supposed to welcome him.
Investigating the nameplates scattered around the immediate cluster of desks reveals the identities of the squad members. The left lock corresponds to the initials of the officers sitting on the left side, while the right lock requires the initials from the right side. Taking time to clear the surrounding area of threats will make checking these nameplates much safer.
Deciphering the Left and Right Codes
For the padlock situated on the left side of the desk, you need to input the letters NED. These represent the first names of officers Neil Carlsen, Elliot Edward, and David Ford. Entering this sequence correctly clicks the first security mechanism open, bringing you halfway to the reward.
The right padlock relies on the names of the officers positioned on the opposite side of the office space. By aligning the dials to read MRG, you satisfy the requirements for Marvin Branagh, Rita Phillips, and George Scott. Note that George's nameplate is often knocked onto the floor, which can confuse players searching for the final letter.
Claiming Your Survival Reward
Once both codes are successfully entered, Leon's desk pops open to reveal a valuable weapon accessory. For Leon, this container holds the High-Capacity Mag for the Matilda handgun, which doubles his ammunition capacity per reload. If you are playing through the campaign as Claire Redfield, opening this exact same desk yields a Speed Loader for her SLS 60 revolver instead.
Acquiring these upgrades early drastically changes how you approach standard combat encounters with the infected. Having more rounds readily available prevents frequent reloading animations during intense encounters in tight hallways. Utilizing a allows players to easily track their progression through the various interconnected chambers of the station.
Maximizing Your Resources in the Police Station
Solving the desk mystery is just one step toward fully conquering the environmental challenges hidden within the RPD. The West Office also contains a separate combination safe that holds an inventory-expanding hip pouch. Combining these upgrades ensures you can carry more key items and healing herbs without making constant trips to the storage box.
Mastering these navigation challenges requires a careful balance of observation and resource management. By systematic tracking of clues left in files, you can bypass the station's security measures without wasting precious ammunition. Staying observant of your surroundings remains your best defense against the horrors lurking in the dark.
