#billy coen

gameplay: the combat system is the same as RE1 HD. the main difference I want to talk about here is that there is NO INVENTORY BOX in RE0. you literally just place your items down the floor, and frankly, this is a major annoyance to me.

I do see the logic, but I’ve come to hate backtracking my path over and over just to get certain items I’ve left behind. this is especially annoying in the Factory/Treatment Plant areas. there’s a lot of ‘door -> short walkway with nothing in it -> door again’ layouts.

puzzles: the dual character system is an interesting mechanic. it’s challenging in a fun way at times, but it can also be an annoyance. there were instances where I was soft-locked due to surprise solo boss fights, and the partner AI tends to get buggy as well. the puzzle designs aren’t too remarkable to me.

character writing (overall): I honestly love Rebecca and Billy’s dynamic. sadly, the writing was inconsistent (no surprise there), and it left me wanting to see more interactions between them. I especially wanted to know more about Billy’s past, his trauma, and his motivations to keep on living. I wanted to see more of Rebecca’s ‘that’s Officer Chambers to you!’ personality. overall, I love this duo.

also can I just say, Rebecca experienced TWO incidents back-to-back at the tender age of EIGHTEEN?? HELLO?? she and Claire are BUILT different.

visuals/graphics: unlike RE1 HD, which focused a lot on claustrophobic spaces, RE0 felt slightly more open, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I still like the atmosphere, especially the Train section. the industrial design in the latter sections are interesting, but it did make the game less spooky.

narrative: I actually found the Birkin & Wesker duo to be interesting. I thought we’d know more about Billy’s past and have it be one of the central factors of the narrative, but alas. the story gives us teasers about these and it all falls flat. ah well, it’s an old game, so I’m not too hung up on it.

ending: if we ignore the fact that Rebecca’s heading into the Spencer Mansion and Billy’s most likely gonna get into trouble with the Cerberus lurking in the forest… RE0’s ending is definitely one of my favorites. it’s cathartic, and Rebecca’s decision to take Billy’s dogtag and wear it around her neck is just 🥺 she knows his heart is in the right place, and she decided to let him live as a free man. Billy copying Rebecca’s 👍🏻 gesture as he thanked her is the icing on the cake.

final thoughts: this game has a ton of cool ideas but the execution is kinda… off. characters are endearing but the narrtive didn’t do them justice. I’ll look forward to a remake of it, if ever that happens!

I also completed Leech Hunter, which is an OK minigame. since I perfected it, I unlocked the infite ammo, but I’m not so sure if I’m that enthusiastic to Platinum this game…

anyway, I plan to play the original Code Veronica (Dreamcast) next. I heard it’s also a difficult game, though. but if my stubbornness and perseverance got me through the end of RE0, then I’ll be fine. it’s Claire’s game, after all.