Reach the Gun Shop
From your starting position in the Raccoon City streets, your immediate objective is to reach Kendo's Gun Shop. Head straight down the street, navigating past the initial obstacles. The burning car serves as a visual landmark and a warning of the chaos that has unfolded. As you advance, you'll encounter your first few zombies. These shambling horrors are the primary threat in these early moments. You have two main approaches to dealing with them: either engage them directly with precise headshots to conserve ammunition and efficiently neutralize the threat, or, if you're low on resources or prefer a faster pace, you can attempt to run past them. Mastering the art of evasion is crucial for survival in Raccoon City. Continue your advance down the street, keeping an eye out for any additional threats or useful items scattered along the path. Your destination is the entrance to Kendo's Gun Shop. Upon entering the shop, a brief cutscene will play, introducing you to the proprietor and the dire situation. Within the shop, you will be able to acquire some essential supplies, including Handgun Ammo, which is vital for your initial encounters.
Kendo's Gun Shop is a critical early-game location, not just for the initial supplies but also as a safe point and a place to potentially upgrade your weaponry later in the game. The specific items found here can vary slightly depending on the character you are playing as (Leon or Claire) and the scenario you are in (A or B), but generally, you can expect to find ammunition for your starting firearm. The presence of these zombies so early in the game emphasizes the survival horror aspect of Resident Evil 2, forcing players to make difficult decisions about resource management and engagement versus evasion. The layout of the street leading to the shop is desed to teach these fundamental mechanics. Pay close attention to the environment; sometimes, items like herbs or additional handgun ammo can be found on the ground or in small nooks before you even reach the shop's entrance. Successfully reaching Kendo's Gun Shop marks your first sificant step in navigating the perilous streets of Raccoon City.