Billy Coen

Lore & Background

Billy Coen is a former Marine Force Reconnaissance officer who was to be executed for killing 23 people until the military police van transporting him crashed in the region of the Arklay Mountains. He first appears when Rebecca Chambers discovers him aboard the Ecliptic Express, a train owned by Umbrella that has come under attack from a swarm of leeches carrying the T-virus. The pair teams up to investigate the train and later the abandoned training facility for future Umbrella executives. Billy possesses unique abilities that complement Rebecca's skills. He can move heavy objects, use a lighter, and has higher defense than Rebecca. However, unlike Rebecca, he cannot mix herbs, which is a staple ability in Resident Evil games. His physical strength and combat experience make him valuable in combat situations, while his lighter proves essential for solving certain puzzles throughout the facility. Throughout their journey, Billy and Rebecca discover that the former director of the facility and Umbrella's co-founder, Dr. James Marcus, was responsible for discovering the Progenitor virus and combining it with leech DNA to develop the T-virus. They eventually confront the Queen Leech, which has taken over Marcus' body and believes itself to be the resurrected Marcus, orchestrating the outbreak as revenge against Umbrella.

In Their Own Story

On July 23, 1998, Billy Coen was being transported by military police for execution when the van crashed in the Arklay Mountains. He escaped and made his way to the Ecliptic Express train, where he encountered Rebecca Chambers of S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team. The train had been attacked by leeches carrying the T-virus, transforming passengers and crew into zombies. Billy and Rebecca teamed up to survive, noticing a mysterious young man watching from a hillside before the train suddenly began moving again. As the train sped out of control, Billy and Rebecca applied the brakes and averted its course towards an abandoned training facility. There, they discovered the facility's history and Dr. James Marcus' role in developing the T-virus. Rebecca became separated from Billy at one point, encountering Captain Enrico Marini who told her the rest of Bravo Team would meet at an old mansion. After Rebecca was attacked by the Tyrant and temporarily defeated it, she reunited with Billy, and together they defeated the Tyrant and continued towards a water plant. Eventually, Billy and Rebecca caught up with the leech-controlling man, who was actually the Queen Leech that had entered Marcus' corpse and reanimated it, gaining his memories and shapeshifting abilities. After temporarily defeating it, they attempted to escape via a lift as William Birkin tripped the facility's self-destruct mechanism. Pursued by the Queen Leech, the pair eventually killed it and escaped before the facility was destroyed. Following their escape, Rebecca assured Billy that her police report would list him as another casualty of the incident, granting him his freedom. Billy departed as Rebecca headed towards the mansion to seek out her fellow Bravo Team members.

Reader's Guide

Billy Coen is a playable protagonist in Resident Evil Zero, controlled alongside Rebecca Chambers. The player may switch between the two characters at any time, and each has unique abilities that are essential for progression. Billy's unique abilities include moving heavy objects, using a lighter to solve puzzles and illuminate dark areas, and having higher defense than Rebecca, making him more resilient in combat. However, he cannot mix herbs, which is a limitation players must work around by having Rebecca handle herb combinations. His physical strength allows him to push objects and climb to investigate higher levels. When Billy and Rebecca travel together, either one can be controlled while the other is handled by the game's artificial intelligence. The player may also control both simultaneously or split them up to explore areas separately. The partner system is central to solving many of the game's puzzles, requiring coordination between the two characters' unique abilities. Resident Evil Zero has no item boxes, unlike previous series installments. Instead, players can drop items on the floor, freeing space in the inventory momentarily until they are retrieved later. The locations of dropped items are displayed on the game map, and the number of items that can be dropped in a room is limited. Billy and Rebecca can exchange items when they are close to each other.

Did You Know?

• Billy Coen was convicted of killing 23 people and was being transported for execution when the military police van crashed in the Arklay Mountains.
• Billy is a former Marine Force Reconnaissance officer, giving him higher defense and the ability to move heavy objects.
• Unlike Rebecca, Billy cannot mix herbs, which is a staple ability in Resident Evil games.
• Billy uses a lighter as a unique tool, which is essential for solving certain puzzles in the abandoned training facility.
• After escaping the facility, Rebecca assures Billy that her police report will list him as another casualty, granting him his freedom.