Summary
- Resident Evil Survivor 2: Code Veronica was a chaotic rail shooter sequel with reflex tests.
- Resident Evil Survivor was the series' first step into full first-person territory in 2000.
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard redefined horror with a first-person perspective and minimal combat.
Switching to a first-person perspective was a massive gamble for Resident Evil, a series known for its tank controls, fixed angles, and slow, creeping dread. But Capcom has never been shy about reinventing the wheel, and occasionally tossing that wheel out the window to build something completely unhinged that can be terrifying, chaotic, experimental, or just plain weird. Sometimes all at once.
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From the very first Resident Evil, these games have influenced not just the horror genre, but the gaming industry as a whole.
This list takes a look at every first-person Resident Evil game so far, from the awkward early spinoffs that barely functioned, to the modern nightmares that redefined survival horror. Some of these games stumbled, so others could sprint through a haunted house with nothing but a shotgun and blind panic.
6 Resident Evil Survivor 2: Code Veronica
When Namco’s Light Gun Met Capcom’s Gothic Fever Dream
Resident Evil Survivor 2 - Code: Veronica
- Released
- November 8, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Namco
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, Arcade
- Genre(s)
- Action
There’s something oddly poetic about combining the most narratively convoluted Resident Evil entry with one of the most chaotic gameplay styles in the franchise. That’s Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica in a nutshell. Released exclusively in Japanese arcades and for the PlayStation 2 in Japan and Europe, this sequel was built on the bones of Code Veronica, but most of its internal organs were swapped out for reflex tests.
This wasn’t a traditional survival horror game so much as a rail shooter strapped to a ticking clock. Players raced through environments pulled from Code Veronica, gunning down monsters with light gun controls while dodging time penalties and tyrants. Claire and Steve were playable, but don’t expect a story—this was more of a fevered simulation than a continuation of anything.
It was also mechanically bizarre. Players were punished for standing still, and Nemesis—yes, that Nemesis—randomly shows up to ruin the player's day. As if one tyrant wasn’t enough. There were ideas here, like co-op multiplayer in the arcade version, but none of them felt fully developed. It’s a curiosity at best, and even among diehard fans, it’s mostly remembered as the one with the weird yellow timer bar that made everything worse.
5 Resident Evil Survivor
A Headshot to the Franchise’s Reputation, but an Important One
Resident Evil: Survivor
- Released
- January 27, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Tose
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation (Original)
- Genre(s)
- Action, On-Rails Shooter
There’s a very specific kind of horror that comes from knowing exactly what players are supposed to be doing but having absolutely no control over their bodies. That’s more or less how Resident Evil Survivor plays.
Released in 2000 for the PlayStation, this was the first attempt to bring Resident Evil into full first-person territory. And it shows. Movement was clunky, shooting felt like trying to thread a needle with oven mittens, and the visuals—well, let’s just say early 3D had its limits. But for all its flaws, Survivor deserves credit for being the series’ first step away from fixed camera angles.
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The story follows Ark Thompson, a man with amnesia (classic), who wakes up in a helicopter crash on Sheena Island, where Umbrella has been cooking up horrors no one asked for. The game tried to mix exploration and combat in a new format, but the execution fell flat. No light gun support outside Japan, stiff controls, and barely interactive environments made it feel more like a proof of concept than a fully fleshed-out entry.
And yet, Survivor has its defenders. Some players appreciate the atmosphere and eerie soundtrack, and there’s a certain charm to its jankiness. It’s not good, but it walked so others could eventually sprint.
4 Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
So Stylish It Needed a Dramamine Warning
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
- Released
- November 17, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom, Cavia
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, Wii
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
By the time The Darkside Chronicles hit the Wii in 2009, Capcom had ironed out many of the kinks from its earlier light gun experiments. This game was stylish, fast-paced, and packed with nostalgia. It reimagined key moments from Resident Evil 2 and Code Veronica, while also adding a brand new prequel story about Leon and Krauser called “Operation Javier.”
What set Darkside Chronicles apart was its cinematic flair. The camera swayed wildly during action scenes to simulate tension, which looked cool but made some players queasy. It was like watching a found footage horror film while someone shook the TV. Still, the voice acting was strong, the monster redesigns looked fantastic, and the game never let up in terms of pacing.
It also subtly expanded on Krauser’s backstory before his big role in Resident Evil 4, making his fall from grace feel more personal. And while it’s technically an on-rails shooter, Darkside Chronicles put more effort into storytelling than most games in the genre. It was flashy, ambitious, and occasionally a bit much—but it worked.
3 Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
A Greatest Hits Album for the Morbidly Curious
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
- Released
- November 13, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
Before Darkside Chronicles added the shaky cam and personal drama, The Umbrella Chronicles was Capcom’s first real attempt to turn Resident Evil into a ride at a haunted amusement park. Released on the Wii in 2007, this on-rails shooter gave players a chance to relive major events from Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 1, and Resident Evil 3, with some new lore sprinkled in for good measure.
What made Umbrella Chronicles fascinating wasn’t just its nostalgic recap, but the way it recontextualized key events. For instance, players could experience parts of the story from Albert Wesker’s perspective, complete with his smug narration and weirdly operatic combat style. There was even a new chapter set in Russia that bridged the gap between old-school Resident Evil and RE4.
The gunplay felt responsive, the enemy variety kept things fresh, and the locations were meticulously crafted to mirror their original versions. Sure, some purists scoffed at the arcade-style gameplay, but as a guided tour through Resident Evil history, it was surprisingly effective. It didn’t try to reinvent the franchise—it just let players shoot their way through its greatest disasters.
2 Resident Evil Village
Gothic Castles, Werewolf Hordes, and the Most Memed Vampire in Gaming
Resident Evil Village
- Released
- May 7, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR2, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
By the time Resident Evil Village released in 2021, first-person horror was no longer a novelty for the series—it was a refined weapon. Set in a remote European village inspired by Eastern European folklore, the game pushed the franchise deeper into fantasy horror territory without losing its grotesque edge.
Ethan Winters returned as the world’s most durable everyman, and players once again saw through his eyes as he stumbled into a nightmare of werewolves, witches, and one very tall lady with claws. Village embraced spectacle, leaning into larger-than-life villains like Lady Dimitrescu and Heisenberg while offering set pieces that felt straight out of an action blockbuster.
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What made it sing was the variety. From the atmospheric dread of Castle Dimitrescu to the psychological terror of House Beneviento—where players were stalked by a monstrous baby in the dark—each section felt distinct. The first-person view wasn’t just a gimmick, it was crucial to delivering jump scares, environmental storytelling, and brutal combat sequences up close.
Some longtime fans missed the slower pace of older entries, but Village struck a balance between action and horror, taking cues from RE4 while still keeping players on edge. It was polished, bombastic, and endlessly rewatchable thanks to a community obsessed with breaking down its lore and speedrunning its campaign.
1 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The Game That Reinvented Resident Evil by Stripping It to the Bone
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Psychological Horror, First-Person
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
No other Resident Evil game shifted the entire tone of the series the way Resident Evil 7: Biohazard did. After years of action-heavy sequels that leaned more into explosions than scares, Capcom took a sharp left turn into first-person horror, locking players into the decaying Baker estate with no HUD, no backup, and barely a gun in sight.
From the moment Ethan Winters wakes up in that swampy Louisiana nightmare, RE7 makes it clear: this isn’t about saving the world, it’s about surviving dinner with a family of sadistic mutants. The first-person perspective made everything feel claustrophobic and personal. Every creaking floorboard, every inch of mold creeping down the hallway—it all felt way too close.
Combat was minimal at first, with players relying on knives and scavenged ammo while sneaking through the house. Jack Baker’s relentless pursuit, Marguerite’s disgusting hive powers, and Lucas’s Saw-inspired traps all reinforced that sense of helplessness. And then there was Eveline, the childlike bioweapon whose presence infected every corner of the house like a bad memory.
Resident Evil 7 didn’t just bring horror back to the series, it redefined how Resident Evil could be scary. VR support added another layer of dread, and the game’s pacing—from its slow buildup to its chaotic finale—was razor sharp. It was a gamble that paid off, breathing new life into a franchise many thought had lost its identity.
Resident Evil Village First-Person vs Third-Person: Which Is Scarier?
Resident Evil Village recently received a third-person mode, and while it provides some gameplay advantages, it also makes things less scary.