《惡靈古堡0》（Resident Evil 0）是CAPCOM於2002年推出的動作冒險與生存恐怖遊戲，最早登陸任天堂GameCube平台，之後陸續移植到Wii、PlayStation 3、Xbox360、PlayStation 4、Xbox One以及PC等多個平台，並收錄在Switch的「惡靈古堡 起源精選輯」。

作為該系列的前傳作品，故事設定在初代《惡靈古堡》發生的前一天，1998年7月23日。揭示安布雷拉公司（Umbrella Corporation）在阿克雷山區的生化災難起源，並補充有關洋館事件發生前的重要細節。

劇情圍繞S.T.A.R.S.（浣熊市特警隊）布拉沃小隊的隊員蕾貝卡·錢伯斯（Rebecca Chambers）展開。蕾貝卡是系列中首次亮相的角色之一，最早在《惡靈古堡1》中作為支援角色登場，而在《惡靈古堡0》中，她則成為主要角色。故事開端，布拉沃小隊被派往阿克雷山區調查一連串離奇的謀殺案件，途中直升機引擎故障迫降於森林中，蕾貝卡在探索中發現一輛停在鐵軌上的神秘列車「伊利米車」（Ecliptic Express）。這列車內部充滿著喪屍與各種變異生物，安布雷拉公司的實驗已失控蔓延，而事件的幕後黑手正是神秘的威廉·柏金（William Birkin）與詹姆斯·馬庫斯博士（Dr. James Marcus），馬庫斯是T病毒的共同開發者之一。

蕾貝卡在列車上遇到因殺害23人被判死刑的逃犯比利·科恩（Billy Coen），兩人因突如其來的生化危機而不得不聯手合作，調查列車事件並設法逃離危機四伏的車廂。然而，列車最終失控墜毀於安布雷拉訓練設施附近，這座設施內部同樣佈滿生化怪物。比利與蕾貝卡深入調查後發現，詹姆斯·馬庫斯博士因內部鬥爭被威斯卡（Albert Wesker）與柏金暗殺，然而馬庫斯的研究成果「水蛭病毒」卻導致其復活，並以變異的怪物形態發起對安布雷拉的報復。劇情最終進入高潮，蕾貝卡與比利在訓練設施的地下研究所與馬庫斯博士的最終變異形態展開激戰。在成功擊敗他後，兩人逃出生天，而蕾貝卡決定趕往附近的洋館，與《惡靈古堡1》的劇情接軌。比利則選擇離開阿克雷山區，展開自己的新旅程。

在操作方面相較於系列前作進行重要創新，最具代表性的就是「雙人切換系統」（Partner Zapping System）。自由切換操控蕾貝卡與比利，並讓AI操作另一名角色。兩位角色各具特色，蕾貝卡擅長調配藥品，能進行治療與合成；比利則體力較高，能移動重物並使用更強力的武器。這種雙人合作機制成為解謎與戰鬥的核心，許多謎題需要兩人協作才能完成，例如比利搬開障礙物後，蕾貝卡從狹窄空間通過，或是兩人分開操作不同區域的機關。這一系統也增強了遊戲的策略性，玩家需靈活應對不同敵人與環境。

與前作不同的是，取消傳統的「寶箱系統」，改為「地面放置物品」機制，隨時將不需要的道具或武器放在地上，並在需要時返回原地拾取。這種設計增加整體的真實感，但同時也對物品管理提出更高的要求，因為需要謹慎選擇攜帶的物品，合理規劃移動路線，以免錯過重要道具或陷入困境。

關卡設計方面，保留經典的固定視角與坦克式操作方式，整體風格延續早期《惡靈古堡》的恐怖氛圍。列車關卡是遊戲最具代表性的場景之一，封閉狹窄的空間設計讓人感受到壓迫感，配合突如其來的喪屍與怪物，營造出極強的緊張感。而訓練設施與研究所則充滿安布雷拉公司標誌性的實驗室風格，各種變異生物與BOSS戰鬥為遊戲增添更多挑戰。

市場方面，在發售後獲得普遍的正面評價。玩家與媒體讚揚遊戲在畫面表現上的進步，利用GameCube強大的硬體性能，CAPCOM打造出當時極為細緻的角色建模與場景細節，光影效果也營造出沉浸式的恐怖體驗。此外，雙人合作與角色切換系統被認為是對傳統玩法的成功革新，使解謎與戰鬥方面更具變化性。然而，部分評論指出挑戰難度較高，敵人數量多且傷害較大，資源管理成為主要挑戰之一。加上寶箱系統的取消，使得部分玩家感到不便。此外，固定視角與坦克式操作方式在當時已逐漸顯得過時，對於首次接觸系列的新玩家而言，需要時間適應。

整體而言，作為前傳作品，不僅成功補完系列劇情，還在玩法與系統上帶來創新，為《惡靈古堡》宇宙增添更深層次的背景故事。其恐怖氛圍與生存要素相輔相成，使其成為系列粉絲心中不可忽視的重要作品。

"Resident Evil 0" is an action-adventure and survival horror game developed by CAPCOM, first released in 2002 for the Nintendo GameCube. Over time, it was ported to multiple platforms, including the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and was later included in the "Resident Evil Origins Collection" for the Nintendo Switch.

As a prequel to the series, the story is set one day before the events of the original Resident Evil, on July 23, 1998. It reveals the origins of the biohazard outbreak in the Arklay Mountains and provides key details leading up to the mansion incident.

The narrative focuses on Rebecca Chambers, a member of the S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Service) Bravo Team. Rebecca, who made her debut as a supporting character in Resident Evil 1, takes center stage in Resident Evil 0. The story begins when Bravo Team is dispatched to investigate a series of bizarre murders in the Arklay Mountains. However, their helicopter experiences engine trouble and is forced to make an emergency landing in the forest. During her exploration, Rebecca discovers a mysterious train stopped on the tracks—Ecliptic Express. The train is filled with zombies and various mutated creatures, a result of Umbrella Corporation's experiments spiraling out of control.

The masterminds behind the incident are the enigmatic William Birkin and Dr. James Marcus, one of the co-creators of the T-virus. Onboard the train, Rebecca encounters Billy Coen, an escaped convict sentenced to death for allegedly killing 23 people. Despite their initial mistrust, the two are forced to cooperate as the biohazard crisis escalates. Together, they investigate the train incident and attempt to survive the horrors lurking within. Eventually, the train derails and crashes near an Umbrella training facility, which is also overrun with bio-organic weapons (B.O.W.s).

As they delve deeper into the facility, Rebecca and Billy uncover the truth—Dr. James Marcus was assassinated by Albert Wesker and Birkin due to internal conflicts. However, Marcus’s research into the leech virus allowed him to resurrect in a mutated form, seeking revenge against Umbrella.

The story reaches its climax as Rebecca and Billy face off against Marcus’s final mutated form in the underground lab of the training facility. After defeating him, the two escape, with Rebecca deciding to head to the nearby mansion, directly connecting the events to Resident Evil 1. Billy, on the other hand, chooses to leave the Arklay Mountains, embarking on his own path.

Gameplay and Mechanics:
Compared to earlier entries in the series, Resident Evil 0 introduced significant gameplay innovations. The most notable addition is the "Partner Zapping System", which allows players to switch freely between Rebecca and Billy while the AI controls the other character. Each character has unique abilities—Rebecca can mix herbs and create healing items, while Billy, with greater physical strength, can push heavy objects and wield more powerful weapons. This cooperative mechanic is essential for solving puzzles and engaging in combat. For example, Billy might clear obstacles while Rebecca crawls through narrow spaces, or they might operate separate mechanisms in different areas to progress.

This system enhances the game’s strategic depth, as players must adapt to different enemies and environments by utilizing the strengths of both characters.

A key departure from previous games is the removal of the "Item Box System". Instead, players can drop items on the ground at any time and retrieve them later. This adds a layer of realism but also increases the challenge of inventory management. Players must carefully decide which items to carry and plan their routes meticulously to avoid missing crucial resources or becoming overwhelmed by enemies.

Level Design and Atmosphere:
The level design preserves the series’ signature fixed camera angles and tank controls, maintaining the classic survival horror feel. One of the game’s standout environments is the train, where tight, confined spaces amplify the sense of claustrophobia and danger. The sudden appearance of zombies and creatures heightens the tension.

The Umbrella training facility and underground lab are reminiscent of the franchise’s iconic laboratory environments, filled with mutated creatures and intense boss battles. These areas challenge players with complex puzzles, environmental storytelling, and formidable foes.

Reception and Market Response:
Upon release, Resident Evil 0 received generally positive reviews from both players and critics. The game was praised for its visual fidelity, taking full advantage of the GameCube’s hardware to deliver highly detailed character models and richly atmospheric environments. The lighting effects and shadow rendering further enhanced the immersive horror experience.

The partner system and dual-character gameplay were highlighted as innovative additions that diversified the traditional survival horror formula. The cooperative puzzles and combat scenarios added variety and kept the gameplay engaging.

However, some critics pointed out the game’s high difficulty. Enemies were numerous and dealt significant damage, making resource management critical to survival. The absence of item boxes was seen as a mixed aspect—while it contributed to the game’s realism, it also frustrated players who were accustomed to the convenience of item storage.

Moreover, the tank controls and fixed camera angles, which were considered staples of the series, were starting to feel outdated by the early 2000s. Newcomers to the franchise often needed time to adjust to the gameplay style.

Despite these criticisms, Resident Evil 0 successfully expanded the lore of the series, offering fans a deeper look into Umbrella’s dark history. The combination of tense atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and engaging storytelling ensured its place as a beloved entry in the Resident Evil saga.