Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #998 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Capcom
• Released on: 2003-03-07
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: GameCube
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Welcome back to the world of survival horror--again. After the awesome remake of the first game, Resident Evil Zero goes even further back in time with this all-new prequel to the infamous "mansion incident". This time you control Rebecca Chambers (the rookie medic featured in Chris's story from the first game) and "framed for a crime he didn't commit" prison escapee Billy Coen. Unlike previous Resident Evil games, though, you actually get to control both characters, and simultaneously; you can switch between either at any time, choose to have your partner tag along with you, set them to shoot automatically whenever a monster comes near or even control them manually with the C-stick. This unusual system works well and is, as you'd expect, a basis for a lot of split-up-necessitating puzzles.

Another welcome change from the usual Resident Evil formula is the absence of item boxes--now you can drop items whenever and wherever you like. In most other areas Resi 0 is business as usual, as you creep around a series of genuinely creepy mansions, trains and underground bases fervently wishing you had enough bullets to deal with all the foul monsters that are out to get you, many of which, without wishing to spoil the surprise, are not technically zombies this time around. If you haven't liked previous Resident Evil games you're unlikely to change your mind now, but such sourpusses are the only ones who will fail to be captivated by this highly entertaining, atmospheric and (at least in comparison to some of its predecessors) innovative game. --David Jenkins

Edge
"A beautiful game--breathtakingly so at times... treads familiar ground yet remains fundamentally engaging."

Games™ Magazine
"The last hybrid Resident Evil is the best yet."

Customer Reviews

Poor old Rebecca...
Anyone who has played re 1 will know that rebecca is not a great pianist. The same is true here. Not many people would think that you'd need an ex army soilder who looks like he wouldnt tolerate anything to play the keys to open a door! This is possibly the only resi evil i'd play over code veronica and nemesis! Great story line (as excpected)and great bosses. A mad doctor with a grudge against wesker? rite on! The enemies too are scary, funny and then just plain weird. Out Of Leech Men, Bugs And evil baboons this game surley takes the weirdness and horror of the series to new levels. You can also swich between characters which is good, but be aware that like jill and claire before, rebecca is not particulary strong so leaving her a million miles away and controling mr.cool (forgot the name..) isn't advised. The Weapons too are fun, my preference was always the hunting rifle. i prefer it over the shotgun even though t only holds 2 shells! The only flaw i have is that bravo team once again cease to really show. Even Enrico only shows up once. and then you have to fight a tyrant barley 2 mins later. Great game, highly recomended. Capcom, please release this on ps2!!!

Resident Evil Zero - Minor spoilers
Before the infamous "mansion incident" Rebecca Chambers a rookie member of S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Services) mooches about on a train trying to locate fugitive Billy Coen eventually the two co-operate and stubmle upon an umbrella research centre filled with the undead. This games takes the player to new depths an exposes some of the never before told secrets of umbrella and Rebecca and Billy are about to discover them.

Resident evil zero introduces some new monsters along with the old monsters such as the zomies and the dogs. It has a new system where you can drop items on the floor anywhere you are, eliminating the old itembox system. Also there is a new partner zapping system which allows the player to switch between Rebecca and Billy as they need to, which along the way comes in very handy for solving some puzzles. The graphics are on the same high quality level as the resident evil remake. It also boasts a fantastic soundtrack.

There were many aspects of this game that I think are awesome. There are only a few things that I wasn't so keen on the first was only having a six item capacity (12 if your paired up with Billy) and the leech monster/ zombie things, I found them highly irritating. However these are minor and for me they don't spoil the game on a vast level. So from me resident evil zero gets a well deserved 5 stars.

Every nightmare has a beginning....
I just recently played this as I have a Wii and can now play all the exclusive Resident Evil games for the Gamecube. I have to say I'm very impressed with this and it is very close to being one of the best in the series. I love these games for all the attention to detail, you can go to most things in a room and investigate them. The locations are great, very creepy and atmospheric especially with the lighting/shadows done in real time! You have a good mix of puzzles, a wide range of enemies to shoot and plenty to do. The story fits in well with the rest of the series and it's good how some of the creatures seem to be "earlier" models of those in the later games!
The new system of carrying things, although some don't seem to like it, is better and more realistic. The idea of putting things in a magic box for later that pop up anywhere was a bit odd. Using both characters to hold items helps get around this, otherwise it adds to the challenge as you decide what you should carry ammo or health as you venture deeper into the darkness...
The idea of character swapping is great to, you can wander off separately to investigate or team up to take on a room full of zombies. Some puzzles will need both characters to progress to which is a nice touch. To change you just press one button to control the other character. This is a cool new option in the series of games and adds to the game greatly for replay value.
The sound and graphics are very good as you would expect, and remind me of the Dreamcast version of Code Veronica. The animation, cgi scenes, lighting effects are great. All the locations look exactly as you would expect them to with great little details in the backgrounds. As for the sound the music is good as the tension mounts and danger is near the music changes to fit the scene. If you play with a surround sound system the extra bass is great for shotgun blasts and you can pick up little details like the heavy rain on the train roof, running underground water in the basement that you wouldn't notice otherwise.
Once you complete it you have a tough mini game to play and this will reward you with extras in the main game to enjoy it all over again. If you love Resident Evil games you will love this, if you are new to the series then start here and you will see what all the fuss is about!