Summary
- Resident Evil games offer a range of experiences, from grueling to fun, providing gamers a chance to unwind and relax.
- Resident Evil sequels have exceeded expectations with refinements in gameplay, new monsters, and improved horror elements.
- The franchise has seen significant upgrades with remakes like Resident Evil 2, which offer enhanced visuals and storytelling.
While Resident Evil games can be great in quality, a gamer is often looking to have fun at the end of the day, especially after a long, stressful day. Sometimes the Resident Evil series is unrelenting, with monsters that are nearly impossible to keep down and labyrinth-like levels that are as confusing to navigate as they are scary.
Every Main Resident Evil Game In Release Order
The Resident Evil franchise has been around for decades and is responsible for some of the greatest horror games ever. Here are all the main releases.
Since the franchise has existed for almost thirty years, the Resident Evil games have taken many forms, intentionally aiming to be more grueling for gamers, while others offer a more fun and inviting experience. Whether they are popular Resident Evil entries or maligned ones, each provides a fun factor in their own different ways.
10 Resident Evil 6
Perfect Action Game For Turning The Brain Off
Resident Evil 6
- Released
- October 2, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
On the one hand, Resident Evil 6 is not scary, aside from some parts of Leon’s campaign, which led to a major backlash from fans expecting a horror game. On the other hand, however, it can provide an action-packed adventure with three different campaigns that feel more like interactive Michael Bay movies.
Under the right circumstances, a game like Resident Evil 6 can be a palate-cleanser for players who want to unwind and relax rather than deal with the brutal difficulty of other games. With a friend or two, slaying zombies and other bioengineered monsters as a team is enough for some smiles.
9 Resident Evil 2 (1998)
The Iconic Sequel Made The Horrors Even Better
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 21, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, PC, PS1
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
It’s not often that a sequel is almost unanimously considered superior to the original game, but Capcom pulled it off with Resident Evil 2, which featured the debuts of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. This sequel took the same kind of gameplay seen in the original but gave it a few tweaks with the new locations, such as the Raccoon City Police Department, to create a memorable horror experience.
New threats like the Tyrant, Lickers, and Plant 43 monsters allowed Resident Evil 2 to stand out from its predecessor, since it features nearly identical gameplay, from the divisive tank controls to the item management. Playing through the different runs as Claire and Leon with a more refined version of the Resident Evil gameplay is more forgiving and brings as many thrills as it does chills.
8 Resident Evil (2001)
Remakes Can Be Better Than The Original
Resident Evil
- Released
- April 30, 2002
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom Production Studio 4
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii
The original Resident Evil remains a classic that deserves credit for revolutionizing the survival horror genre, and the remake, which was initially a GameCube exclusive, does it justice. It enhances the visuals, implements new control schemes alongside improved tank controls, adds new sections to the game, and replaces the awkward voice acting from the original.
6 Most Influential Resident Evil Games, Ranked
From the very first Resident Evil, these games have influenced not just the horror genre, but the gaming industry as a whole.
Fans were so impressed with what Capcom delivered with the Resident Evil remake that it was eventually ported to modern systems as Resident Evil HD Remaster. The enhancements not only make exploring the Spencer Mansion more enjoyable for newcomers and longtime fans, but the game still induces terror after almost twenty years.
7 Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Nemesis Is A Non-Stop Boss From Beginning To End
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
- Released
- November 10, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo GameCube, PC, PS1
For many who first played Resident Evil 3: Nemesis on the original Sony PlayStation, the titular villain was a trauma-inducing monster chasing Jill Valentine through Raccoon City. Nemesis takes the concept of the Tyrant from the previous game and dials it to the maximum, with unlimited health that forces the player to think strategically, especially with hordes of zombies everywhere.
Nemesis also equips himself with weapons like his tendrils, rocket launchers, and different monstrous forms. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis turns into one giant boss battle from beginning to end, with Jill Valentine having more ammo for her weapons compared to other games, balancing the horror with action and thriller elements.
6 Resident Evil Village
Everything Is New And Worth Exploring
Resident Evil Village
- Released
- May 7, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- 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
Ethan Winters returned and is forced to contend with different kinds of monsters for a Resident Evil game, including werewolves, vampires, and evil ventriloquists in a remote European village. Resident Evil Village is like Resident Evil 2, where it follows a similar formula as its predecessor but improves upon it with ambitious improvements.
The Baker estate in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is large, but Resident Evil Village often feels almost open world, with a setting that becomes a delight to explore and learn the map. However, it never loses its horror roots, as villains like Karl Heisenberg and Lady Dimitrescu remain unrelenting. Additionally, playing as Chris Redfield and Rose Winters in their respective campaigns provides an expansive Resident Evil experience.
5 Resident Evil 2 (2019)
The Horrors Of Raccoon City Was Given An Upgrade
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Capcom could have given Resident Evil 2 the same treatment as Resident Evil, sticking to the same overall style but with improved mechanics and visuals. Instead, the Resident Evil 2 remake turned out to be a completely new experience built from the ground up with a third-person perspective in the same vein as Resident Evil 4 and other more modern horror games.
While graphics are not usually what makes a game good, the hyperrealistic fidelity, designs, and animations immerse the player in the Raccoon City Police Department better than before. The Tyrant is even scarier in the remake, which, combined with the more relentless zombies and cinematic storytelling, results in Resident Evil 2 feeling like a giant haunted house/escape room fusion.
4 Resident Evil 3 (2020)
The Remake Is Shorter But Sweeter In Some Ways
Resident Evil 3
- Released
- April 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
While it does strip away multiple aspects from the original game, the Resident Evil 3 remake excels at making Jill Valentine’s escape from Raccoon City an adrenaline rush from beginning to end. The shorter storyline with an even superior portrayal of Jill and still non-stop encounters with Nemesis and other monsters make it hard for a player to feel bored.
There is still all the backtracking and puzzles that fans expect from Resident Evil, especially in the hospital section, but the Resident Evil 3 remake spends more time focusing on tense action. Nemesis is almost always in pursuit, which requires mastery of the much-welcomed dodging mechanic to survive as Jill and Carlos make their way through the city.
3 Resident Evil 5
Co-Op Is Preferred In The African-Set Sequel
Resident Evil 5
- Released
- March 5, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Resident Evil 5, much like its sequel, is not really a horror game anymore, but fans have come to accept it despite initial pushback from the community when it released. Most of that has to do with the fact that it balances out all-out action with enough horror Resident Evil elements to keep it entertaining.
Best Resident Evil Protagonists With The Most Games
Characters like Chris Redfield and Ada Wong have been playable protagonists in a large number of Resident Evil games.
It also helps that Resident Evil 5 is more of a standalone game. Fans can still enjoy it, but the story feels meant for newcomers to join in on the zombie-slaying chaos. Resident Evil 5 has also become famous for players preferring the co-op campaign over single-player, with puzzles and action sequences being designed for two players.
2 Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Resident Evil Has Never Been The Same Since 2005
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- January 11, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
A paradigm shift happened with the launch of Resident Evil 4, which completely ditched the tank controls in favor of a third-person perspective that would become the norm. It made playing Leon Kennedy feel more impactful and tactile, with full control over his actions and aiming as he goes on a daring adventure in Spain.
From the Los Plagas virus to Leon Kennedy’s cheesy one-liners, Resident Evil 4 has become a definitive title in the franchise, with multiple ports and remasters over the years, even on VR. While it was not the first game to feature The Mercenaries mode, Resident Evil 4 helped cement it and can provide hours of extra entertainment after an already strong main campaign.
1 Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Capcom Went Full Circle With Their Remakes
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- March 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Previous Resident Evil remakes were designed to be closer to the beloved Resident Evil 4. So, in 2023, they even created a full-fledged remake of the 2005 classic. However, instead of being identical to the original, it borrows gameplay mechanics from the previous remakes to retain the feeling of horror and dread while playing Leon Kennedy and Ada Wong's respective stories.
Instead of buying everything from the enigmatic Merchant or smashing wooden barrels, Leon can craft ammunition, knives are durable, and Leon can move while aiming. Other quality of life improvements for Resident Evil 4 include Ashley being helpful in intense situations, more melee combat, stealth executions, and arguably superior storytelling, leading to a remake that never fixes what isn’t broken.
Resident Evil: 8 Games With The Best Bonus Content, Ranked
These Resident Evil games offer plenty of fun and exciting content for players to dive into after the credits roll.