Resident Evil Zero

This third-person survival horror adventure, a prequel to the original, casts you as members of the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team investigating murders near Raccoon City in 1998. The core gameplay involves tense exploration, resource management, and puzzle-solving, uniquely featuring a "Partner Zapping System" allowing seamless switching between two characters, Rebecca and Billy, whose combined efforts are required to progress. A key feature is the ability to drop items directly onto the ground for later retrieval, replacing traditional item boxes. The game introduces new threats, like the mutant centipede, within its confined setting.

This is a third-person survival horror adventure game that serves as a direct prequel to the first survival horror experience in the series. Originally released in 2002, the game plunges players into a terrifying scenario beginning on July 23, 1998. Players follow the Special Tactics And Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) Bravo team, dispatched to investigate a series of gruesome murders in the Arklay Mountains outside Raccoon City. After their helicopter is forced down, the team fragments, leading the field medic, Rebecca Chambers, to discover the derelict Ecliptic Express train, which has become infested with the undead.

Core Gameplay Mechanics and Features

The fundamental survival horror experience remains, emphasizing resource management, exploration, and puzzle-solving in a tense atmosphere. However, this entry introduces a significant mechanical shift centered around its dual protagonists.

What is the defining gameplay mechanic of this title?

The game utilizes a unique "Partner Zapping System." Players can seamlessly switch control between two characters: Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen. This feature is integral to progression, as certain environmental puzzles and obstacles require the coordinated efforts of both individuals to overcome. Players must strategically utilize each character's inventory space and positioning to survive the escalating horrors encountered within the infested train and surrounding environments.

Inventory Management Innovations

A notable departure from previous installments involves item management. Instead of relying on fixed storage boxes, players now have the ability to drop items directly onto the ground in the game world. This mechanic demands careful planning, as players must remember the exact locations where they left crucial supplies, as there is no centralized storage system.

Atmosphere and Threats

The setting shifts from familiar locations to the confines of the Ecliptic Express and the surrounding wilderness. Players will encounter a host of new and grotesque threats unique to this prequel narrative. These include terrifying creatures such as the mutant centipede, adding fresh challenges to the established survival horror formula.

Is there additional content available for this game?

As a main title, this game does not feature any downloadable content (DLCs) or expansions. It remains the core experience as originally released, though it has received at least one remaster across subsequent platforms.

Platform Availability