Summary
TheResident Evil 0 Remakeis one of two revamped titles rumored to be in the works from developer Capcom. Alongside a supposedResident Evil CODE: Veronica Remake, the title looks to complete Capcom’s reintroduction oftheResident Evilfranchise’s classic catalog.Resident Evil 0 Remakewill likely feature modern controls, improved gameplay mechanics, and a modified narrative, following the trend of past titles. LikeResident Evil 2 RemakeandResident Evil 3Remakebefore it, the revampedResident Evil 0also presents the perfect opportunity to elevate certain characters and events from the original game. Given the unique nature of the title’s story and characters,Resident Evil 0 Remake’s biggest potential improvement isn’t gameplay-related.
Resident Evil 0was released for the Nintendo Gamecube in 2002, introducing the earliest events in the series chronology. The narrative follows S.T.A.R.S. medic Rebecca Chambers, a supporting character from 1996’sResident Evil, and former marine turned death-row inmate Billy Coen, who discover a train full of leech-infused zombies in the Arklay Mountains. Throughout the title’s runtime, the pair unearth critically valuable intel about the series’ antagonist, Albert Wesker, and the origins of the Umbrella Corporation’s T-Virus.Resident Evil 0sets into motion some of the series’ most important events, but only one of its two protagonists goes on to play a larger role in the series. While Rebecca ends the title as a fully fleshed-out character, Billy’s character development is treated like an afterthought.
Resident Evil 0’s Billy Coen is One of the Series’ Biggest Mysteries
Resident Evil 0’s Billy Coen was formerly a Marine Corps Lieutenant, but his entanglement in a corrupt government operation saw him imprisoned. When players meet him at the beginning of the game, he is in a prison van, headed for execution. However, he is freed when a pack of Cerberus dogs attack and neutralize the van. Billy crosses paths with Rebecca Chambers, and, together, the two investigate a viral outbreak on a train, before unearthing an underground Umbrella research facility. There they discover the origins of the T-virus and defeat the source of the title’s leech-like parasite, theREfinal boss Queen Leech.
Rebecca isResident Evil 0’s true protagonist, with the character receiving the majority of the spotlight, while Billy fills the role of narrative support. The title’s conclusion directly leads to Rebecca’s presence atResident Evil’s Spencer Mansion. However, the end ofResident Evil 0sees Billy Coen escape into the Arklay Mountains, never to be seen again. Billy hasn’t appeared in a canonicalResident Evilentry since 2002, despite his being present for the series’ earliest events. With the character’s fate completely unknown, he remains one ofResident Evil’s most mysterious and underdeveloped loose ends. However, he need not remain so.
Resident Evil 0 Remake Could Improve the Role and Legacy of Billy Coen
Resident Evil 0 Remakepresents the perfect opportunity to redefine the role and legacy of Billy Coen. Capcom’s previous remakes have a history of successfully reintroducing andelevatingResident Evil’s co-protagonistsinto fully realized characters.Resident Evil 0 Remake’s best improvement could see them continue the trend with Billy, as he works alongside Rebecca to unearth Umbrella’s secrets. What’s more, the title can alter or expand Billy’s final moments, opening the door to a future role or cementing his legacy once and for all.
Resident Evil 0 Remakeis the perfect opportunity for Billy Coen to get the treatment he deserves. While the title could choose to set him on a new path, leading to a potential reappearance down the line, it could just as easily offer a definitive conclusion to his journey. The redefinition ofBilly Coen’s storypresentsResident Evil 0 Remake with its biggest area of potential improvement and offers the title the opportunity to make a massive impact on the overarching series. UntilResident Evil 0 Remakeis officially announced, fans remain hopeful that the mainline series' most underrated entry, and its mysterious co-protagonist, will finally get the attention they deserve.
