Streets of Raccoon City & Arrival at the R.P.D.

"A strange incident occurred on the outskirts of Raccoon City. It was later revealed that the terrible disaster was caused by the T-virus, a toxin created by Umbrella for biological weapons. The S.T.A.R.S. police unit investigated the incident. Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine closed the case. But Umbrella's experiments didn't end there." As the game begins, a cutscene shows Claire heading into the city and running straight into the nightmare of the infection in Raccoon City, until she manages to escape alongside Leon toward the police station — where their paths split after an accident and an explosion.

After the opening cutscene and the truck crash that separates Claire from Leon, you start with only a Browning HP Handgun, a Knife, and a Lockpick. Push forward down the street, dodging the zombies in your way rather than fighting them — ammo is scarce this early.

Turn left at the next street and duck into the gun shop to escape two more zombies outside. A gunman named Robert Kendo will threaten you at first, then realize you're not infected and seal the door.

• Grab the Handgun ammo on both shelves.
• Head for the back door — the shop's window shatters and three zombies kill Kendo. If you're fast, you can slip past them while they feed and loot the Bowgun from his body (you'll also find one later regardless).
• Exit through the back.

Push through the basketball court (grab the Handgun ammo before the zombies inside notice you), climb the metal stairs by the dumpster (more Handgun ammo to the right), and cross into the street with the abandoned bus.

• Inside the bus: Handgun ammo on the back seat.
• Cross the last stretch of street, dodging the zombies feeding there, and enter the R.P.D. front courtyard.

In the courtyard, use the path under the entrance stairs to avoid the two zombies patrolling it; you'll find a Green Herb in the planters along the way.

Enter the Main Hall and head to the back for Handgun ammo and an Ink Ribbon (needed to save at typewriters). Take the upper-left door (the only unlocked one) to find Marvin Branagh, a wounded officer who gives you a Blue Keycard. Use it on the hall's computer to unlock the station's sealed doors.