Should I Play Resident Evil 0 Or 1 First?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Play Resident Evil 1 first if you are new to the franchise or to fixed-camera survival horror. Originally released in 1996 and remade in 2002, Resident Evil 1 (often called the REmake) is set in the Spencer Mansion and follows S.T.A.R.S. members investigating a series of cannibalistic murders. It introduces the T-virus outbreak, the Umbrella Corporation conspiracy, iconic enemies such as zombies, hunters, and the Tyrant, and the gameplay pillars that define classic Resident Evil: limited ammunition, typewriter ribbon saves, key-item puzzles, and carefully planned backtracking. The remake’s updated visuals, voice direction, and added content like the Lisa Trevor subplot make it the most refined entry in the tank-control era and the recommended starting point in most official retrospectives and fan guides.
• Good fit: Play Resident Evil 0 first if you value strict in-universe chronology or want Rebecca Chambers’ backstory before she appears in Resident Evil 1. Resident Evil 0 takes place in July 1998, immediately before the Spencer Mansion incident, and follows S.T.A.R.S. medic Rebecca Chambers and convicted marine Billy Coen aboard the Ecliptic Express and through an Umbrella training facility. Starting here lets you trace the outbreak to its earliest canonical point, learn how Rebecca reached the mansion, and experience the partner-zapping mechanic, which lets you switch between two characters with distinct items and abilities. This approach appeals to players who already know the series and want a narrative reconstruction rather than a mechanical introduction.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Avoid starting with Resident Evil 0 if you are unfamiliar with classic survival horror or tank controls. The game removes the item boxes found in Resident Evil 1, meaning every item you carry must be dropped on the floor somewhere in the world if you need inventory space. Combined with the dual-character system and limited inventory slots, this creates a more punishing resource-management loop, frequent backtracking, and moments where supplies can be stranded far from where they are needed. Newcomers may find the puzzle logic, enemy placement, and overall difficulty curve discouraging.
• Warning sign: Avoid a rigid chronological playthrough if your goal is the smoothest possible introduction to the franchise. Resident Evil 0 was released in 2002, after Resident Evil 1 and several other series entries, and its design assumes some familiarity with the rhythms of the franchise. Its boss encounters, map layout, and inventory restrictions are generally considered less forgiving than those in Resident Evil 1. Players who want a gentler onboarding to fixed cameras, tank controls, and limited saves will usually have a better time starting with Resident Evil 1.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Starting with Resident Evil 1 gives you the most polished and widely praised version of the classic formula. The Spencer Mansion is tightly designed, the pacing carefully balances tension with exploration, and the remake’s added Crimson Head mechanic deepens the risk-reward of killing zombies. Because the story is the franchise’s foundation, later references to Umbrella, Wesker, and the mansion incident will land with full context.
• Starting with Resident Evil 0 offers narrative continuity for players who prefer chronological order and want to see how the outbreak began. The partner system adds tactical variety—Rebecca can mix herbs and is smaller, while Billy can push heavier objects and sustain more damage—and the game rewards players who enjoy strict resource scarcity and inventory puzzles.

Cons

• Starting with Resident Evil 0 can feel like a harder, more obtuse experience. The absence of item boxes turns inventory management into a constant logistical puzzle, and the requirement to control two characters means health, ammunition, and weapons must be shared across two inventories. Some players find these systems atmospheric; others find them tedious.
• Starting with Resident Evil 1 means experiencing certain events out of strict chronological order. Rebecca Chambers is already a S.T.A.R.S. member when you meet her in Resident Evil 1, so her journey in Resident Evil 0 becomes a flashback rather than an introduction. For most players this is minor, but it can weaken the impact of Resident Evil 0 if chronological storytelling is your priority.

Decision Checklist

• Have you played fixed-camera survival horror before, or are you comfortable with tank controls and limited saves? If not, Resident Evil 1 is usually the gentler introduction.
• Do you care more about narrative order or mechanical polish? Chronological order favors Resident Evil 0; polished, beginner-friendly design favors Resident Evil 1.
• Are you prepared to manage two characters and a decentralized inventory, or would you prefer a single-character campaign with centralized item storage? Your answer points toward Resident Evil 0 or Resident Evil 1, respectively.

Alternatives to Consider

If neither starting point feels right, several alternatives exist. You could begin with Resident Evil 2—particularly the 2019 remake—which uses an over-the-shoulder perspective and is often recommended as the most accessible modern entry. Resident Evil 4 and its remakes offer action-horror gameplay with fewer inventory constraints and a faster pace. For players who want the classic lore but find Resident Evil 0 too punishing, watching a narrative summary or Let’s Play of Resident Evil 0 before starting Resident Evil 1 preserves the chronological story without the gameplay friction. Finally, if you own the Resident Evil Origins Collection, you can keep both games installed and switch if one becomes too frustrating, letting you adjust your starting point based on your comfort level.

Final Recommendation

For most players—especially newcomers to classic Resident Evil—starting with Resident Evil 1 is the better choice. Its refined design, manageable difficulty, and foundational story provide the ideal entry point into the franchise. If you are already experienced with survival horror and want to follow the in-universe timeline, or if you are specifically interested in Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen, Resident Evil 0 can be played first, ideally followed by Resident Evil 1. Either approach is valid, but the safer and more broadly recommended path is Resident Evil 1 first, then Resident Evil 0.