Resident Evil 0has long been rumored as the next classicREremake. A number of notable outlets, including IGN, have corroborated leaks about such a project, though it should be noted that Capcom itself has yet to comment on these claims. Nevertheless, it seems plausible thatCapcom will remakeResident Evil 0at some point—the franchise will eventually run out of mainline entries to remake—so it’s worth thinking about what this theoretical game could look like.
As far as old-school, pre-RE4games go,Resident Evil 0is rather unique. Splitting the adventure between Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen and taking place before the events ofRE1,RE0is a claustrophobic nightmare featuring novel enemy types and environments. For all of its shortcomings, it can’t be said thatRE0isn’t inventive, taking significant risks by removing or altering many series staples. If and when the remake rolls around, it would do well to sharpen its distinct creative choices, while being judicious about mechanical detours that simply don’t work in the original.
What a Resident Evil 0 Remake Needs
An RE0 Remake Should Flesh Out the Original’s Train Section
AlthoughResident Evil 0features several distinct areas, to an even greater degree than many otherREgames of its era, the train is by far its most iconic and memorable. Speeding through a zombie-ridden forest, the Umbrella-operated rail is tense, cramped, and terrifying, making it a natural fit for a survival horror setting.
Enemies are harder to avoid, safe spots are tougher to identify, and the environment as a whole lends itself to a claustrophobic and paranoid atmosphere. WhileCapcom may be tempted to focusmore on other, more traditionally themed areas like the Umbrella Training School or Chemical Plant, the train section sets the stage for the entire game. Players feel trapped on it right away, and then experience a sense of relief once they get out, so making this chapter more substantial could be crucial for the overall experience the remake is offering, regardless of what decisions are made with respect to its other areas.
A Remake of Resident Evil 0 Should Walk Back the Original’s Inventory System
Perhaps the most widely criticized aspect ofResident Evil 0is its removal of item boxes, a staple inResident Evilgames both before and after the prequel’s release. Instead of having an item box whose contents transfer automatically between safe rooms, players must simply drop their items where they stand if they hope to create more inventory space. Coupled withRE0’s adherence to the series' stringent inventory management mechanics, this radical change simply doesn’t work. It’s clunky, inconvenient, and doesn’t meaningfully augment or enhance the patentedREresource management juggle. Reverting to the traditionalResident Evilsystem of item boxes would go a long way toward making the remake more playable.
Billy and Rebecca Should Still Play Differently
One of the more interesting aspects ofResident Evil 0’s dual-protagonist structureis how both principal characters function differently. For instance, Rebecca is able to mix herbs together to increase their potency, while Billy is capable of taking more hits and moving heavy objects. Assuming the remake will adopt the same third-person-shooter mechanics as its predecessors, there could be a lot of potential in doubling down on this dichotomy. Maybe remake-Billy could function a bit like the memed-to-death Chris Redfield, barreling through hordes of monsters with raw power, while remake-Rebecca could be swifter and more cunning, able to use special moves to get out of grapples or craft unique resources.Resident Evil 0’s approach to multiple protagonists remains one of the series' most interesting, so digging into these smaller features could go a long way toward making its remake stand out.
Resident Evil 0
WHERE TO PLAY
Be prepared to relive the first nightmare in Resident Evil 0, a remastered version of the popular prequel to the original Resident Evil game. This remastered version takes the fear-inducing atmosphere from the original 2002 release and transforms it with stunning new HD visuals, improved sound, widescreen support and an optional modernized control system and more. It’s the best way to experience the story of what really happened before the iconic mansion incident that was the catalyst for the entire Resident Evil saga.The story of Resident Evil 0 takes players back to 1998. Reports have been mounting about unusual murders on the outskirts of Raccoon City. The city’s Special Forces division, S.T.A.R.S., sends their Bravo Team - including rookie cop member Rebecca Chambers - to investigate. On route, the team’s helicopter suffers engine trouble and is forced to make a crash landing, where they find an overturned prisoner transport vehicle. Splitting up to search the area, Rebecca discovers the Ecliptic Express, a train stopped dead on the tracks. Inside, she meets death row convict and ex-Navy lieutenant Billy Coen. Throughout the game, you will take control of both Rebecca and Billy, at times switching between both characters to proceed. Learning the advantages of each character is the key to solving puzzles and surviving the nightmares that lie ahead.
