Resident Evil is a franchise that is over 25 years old. It popularized and coined the survival horror genre and changed gaming as a whole. With a franchise of this age and with so many installments, it can be a bit difficult for a newcomer to jump into the series. There are 12 main installments, along with several remakes. In this beginner’s guide to the Resident Evil series, I will discuss all of the series’ main titles and which games you need to play, which games you should play, which games to skip, and how to access them.
Resident Evil (1996) and Resident Evil (2002)
No doubt about it, the first Resident Evil should be your starting point. For convenience’s sake, you absolutely can start with the Resident Evil remake since it is on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. It’s one of the best, if not the best, survival horror games ever made and still, to this day, one of the best video game remakes. However, I would still recommend you check out the original RE1 as well.
The opening moments of the Resident Evil remake.
The remake is better, but you should still check out the original, mainly because there is a lot of stuff the first RE does that none of the other classic games do. Playing this first original entry really shows the evolution of the design process in the series. If you are going to play the original, play the Nintendo DS version called Resident Evil: Deadly Silence. It includes a lot of quality-of-life improvements from future RE titles, and it even allows you to skip the door-loading animations, which is a must. The DS version is, however, a bit pricey nowadays. At the time of writing, it’s over $90, according to PriceCharting.
Resident Evil 2 (1998) and Resident Evil 2 (2019)
The original Resident Evil 2 is a classic survival horror game that everyone should play, but there are some issues with it. The game is frankly a bit too easy, especially compared to the first title, and even though there are 4 main campaigns, they are way too similar. In all 4 of them, you will be doing the same exact puzzles with the same solutions and collecting the same items in the same locations. Maybe some items will be different, but their locations are mostly the same.
(Video by: EVO Gaming)
All 4 campaigns, however, contain different cutscenes and different situations with the lead characters. Playing ClareB really makes me miss Alyson Court as Clare because she honestly was the perfect voice for her. Some of her lines in this game are priceless. So while the gameplay in terms of what you’re doing will be mostly the same, at least the story will be different throughout all 4 campaigns. I would agree that the remake is better, but the original is still a must-play.
Now the RE2 remake is also an absolute must-play. Level design and enemy placement are fantastic, and Mr. X is scarier than ever. However, the differences in the 4 campaigns are somewhat reversed from the original. The story between the two Leon and Claire campaigns is basically the same. With Leon and Clare, you will be fighting the same bosses and having the same cutscenes. However, now the gameplay and puzzles are different. The puzzles with all 4 scenarios are different between the first and second runs. This is an excellent design choice because, in the original, it just got boring doing the same puzzles with the same solutions in all 4 playthroughs. Gameplay-wise, the player is still engaged and on guard with all 4.
Claire traversing through the sewers.
RE2 remake can be found on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, but the original is a bit pricey now. The best way to play the original RE2 is the GameCube version, which can be played on a Nintendo Wii. Unfortunately, this version is a bit pricey at nearly $110 (according to PriceCharting) at the time of writing. It is the most recent version released, and this port actually allows you to skip cutscenes, making it perfect for speedrunning.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) and Resident Evil 3 (2020)
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is probably the best out of the PS1 trilogy and is an absolute must-play. The pacing of the campaign is really good, the puzzles are hard and challenging, and most importantly, the game has randomization to it. In one area, the game could spawn hunters or drain deimos. Most of the puzzles are also randomized. It adds unpredictability to the game and makes it interesting, even after you’ve played it a bunch. It does make it a nightmare for speedrunners, though. The definitive version is the GameCube one, but once again, it’s pricey at over $105, according to PriceCharting.
Jill exploring raccoon city.
The remake is not as good as the original, but you should still play it. In terms of a third-person RE game, it’s still really good but lacks the tight structure of the RE2 remake and the randomization of the original. In particular, this title has no extra game modes at all. There are no mercenaries, no 4th survivor, no nothing. That is a bit ridiculous. Plus, the game could have used one more big area to explore, as playing the title multiple times, it does feel that the pacing is off in a few places. It’s still a really good RE game, but it definitely could have been more. The RE3 remake is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Resident Evil – Code: Veronica
Resident Evil – Code: Veronica is the first entry you should skip if you’re a beginner. Code: Veronica is the most complex in terms of design in the classic titles, but not in a good sense. After completing the opening area, there are three full places to explore and a fourth you unlock later. It can get really confusing when you decide you’re done with an area and have to move to another one. You can easily miss stuff, and that’s because the game is so open. Normally these games have you only explore one area at a time, but here, you go from area to area frequently. There is no shame in using a guide for the first part of the game because I sure did the first time playing.
Claire exploring the palace.
So many bosses you can completely ignore and just pick up the item and leave. It’s bad design because getting the item and leaving is far easier than killing it, and in a survival horror game, this type of behavior is blatantly encouraged. The story is also ridiculous. This is when the series goes off the rails and is hard to take seriously. The coolest part of the story is the ending cutscene. My first time playing, it did get me hyped to jump right into Resident Evil 5. If you want to play this game, you have some options. The best way to play is either the PS2 version emulated on a PS4/PS5 or the HD version on Xbox 360, which is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil 0 is another one you can skip. RE0 is the final classic entry in the series with its pre-rendered backgrounds and tank controls. The core issue with this game is item management. Now item management has never been a big issue with the RE games until now, and that’s because the games had a universal item box in which you could store your items. However, in RE0, since the game allows the player to pick up and drop items at will, the developers thought the game didn’t need the universal item box anymore. This is a big mistake. Since there is no item box, you’ll be spending quite a lot of time transporting items to your next new location whenever you clear an area.
Rebecca and Billy fighting hunters.
This is one of the few RE games I actually recommend playing on hard, purely on the basis that you get fewer items, which means less time transporting them. Not to mention the game contains a terrible female lead character in Rebecca. When you have both characters 99% of the time, you will be playing as Billy, mainly because Billy can actually take a hit. One attack on Rebecca from a strong enemy can instantly land you to orange caution, and it’s so frustrating. At least Jill had a bigger health bar and could take a reasonable amount of damage before going down. Overall, this is a weak entry in the series. RE0 is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Resident Evil 4
One of the most influential and greatest games of the decade, Resident Evil 4 is a must-play. The game is almost perfect but does have a few very minor issues. One of them being no on-the-fly weapon swapping. The GameCube did have that tiny D-pad that was hardly used, so it could have been included. Hopefully, that gets included in the upcoming RE4 remake. RE4 has such amazing pacing that you start playing the first few chapters, and before you know it, you’re grinding the game out and have already finished it again.
Leon protecting Ashley from enemies.
The best way to play is complicated, however. The modern Xbox and PlayStation versions are a bit annoying as the aiming reticle tends to sway, and unlike the updated PC port, there is no option to use the original GameCube textures. There is the Resident Evil 4 HD Project mod which is probably the best way to play the game, at least if you play on a PC. There’s nothing wrong with playing the original GameCube version, as it still holds up relatively well, and there are a lot of cool glitches and oddities only present in that version. The Wii version is also amazing with its pointer controls.
Resident Evil 5
I still don’t understand why Resident Evil 5 gets so much hate. First, the graphics are still really good to this day. It’s pretty impressive for a game in early 2009 and has aged much better than many other games released in the same year. The campaign is well-paced, but it does have a few short parts that drag. It’s not the masterpiece of pacing that is Resident Evil 4, but I would argue it’s still very good for a third-person shooter campaign. The AI is pretty bad and also too basic for its own good. This is the era that Capcom had a pretty bad reputation for the AI in its games with RE5 and Dead Rising. Thankfully future games in both series majorly fixed the AI problems persistent here.
Chris and Sheva riding a boat in the Marshlands.
I enjoyed the story as an endgame-style finale. Wesker, who has been the main villain since the very first game, is finally taken head-on. A lot of major characters from the first game return, as well. The franchise could have ended with this entry. RE5 also has excellent replay value, and the DLC was great. You get two excellent DLC chapters and more additions to the fantastic mercenaries mode. Resident Evil 5 is an entry you should play due to its quality, and the story is very important to the RE franchise. The game is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Resident Evil: Revelations
Resident Evil: Revelations is an entry that newcomers can skip for a variety of reasons. Revelations is not a bad game. It’s just not an important entry in the series. The game was originally a Nintendo 3DS exclusive, and it shows. The episodic structure and breaking up of the sections fit perfectly for a handheld game. Revelation’s story is also rather unimportant to the series. If you skip this game, you’re not missing much lore or important plot points.
Jill fighting off several Globsters.
Resident Evil: Revelations has two halves to it. You have the main section, which is Jill Valentine exploring the Queen Zenobia, and it’s really solid. The game actually feels like a survival horror title with rationing your items, exploring, and backtracking to previous areas. However, the other half of the game is not that great at all. Whenever the game puts you in a flashback sequence or a situation that involves other characters, it doesn’t work since there are no stakes in terms of managing your items. For people brand new, play Revelations once you’re more experienced in the series. Resident Evil: Revelations can be found on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Resident Evil 6
The criticism Resident Evil 6 gets, for the most part, is deserved. RE6 does have some good qualities in it. The AI partners are much better, the characters are likable and cool, the cutscenes are well done, and the Mercenaries mode is fantastic. Mercenaries alone might be a reason to buy this game for $20. The graphics are really good, and in particular, the character models are the best Capcom has done up till that point. The combat is also great, but the game does a poor job of teaching you how RE6 is actually meant to be played. The campaign missions also don’t utilize the combat to its best levels either.
Sherry shooting at a zombie in Mercenaries mode.
RE6’s main issue is the length and pacing. This game drags on and on. It frankly feels like some of these missions will never end. It also doesn’t help that you often have to play the exact same sections again in different campaigns. For example, there is a city section you have to play in both Jake’s and Chris’s campaigns. It does feel like padding. For newcomers, I would say skip Resident Evil 6. I would recommend playing Mercenaries mode because that mode is great. The combat is utilized very well there, and it’s just a ton of fun. RE6 is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is the most forgettable mainline RE game. It’s an episodic game back when those were popular, and it’s another standard third-person RE title. The cool aspect that makes this game different is there are 4 episodes, but in each, you play a Claire and Barry section. What you do in Clare’s section affects what you will be doing in Barry’s section. It’s a unique system to this game, and it does make for good replayability. It was also cool at the time for Clare and Barry to come back in a main RE game. Barry, in particular, has not been seen story-wise since RE3. Unfortunately, this game was the first title where Alyson Court did not voice Clare, and it is a shame.
Claire shooting at Afflicted with help from Moira.
There are some cool gameplay setpieces in this title, but a lot of it is forgettable. The story, unlike the first Revelations, is actually important, but going into why would be spoiler related. Revelations 2, on its default difficulty, is pretty challenging, and you will have to watch your ammo supply. This game came out just a few months after The Evil Within, and this game is much more challenging on its standard difficulty than that title. Revelations 2 is a game that, while forgettable, you should still play due to the importance of the story. Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is the entry that made a lot of people who fell off of the series jump back in. This is the first main RE entry that is set entirely in First-Person and the first game to use Capcom’s RE Engine. This game brought back the core survival horror gameplay that has been missing for quite a few entries at this point. RE7 returns intricate levels with many side objectives not needed to finish the game, rationing of supplies, and the scare factor.
Ethan fighting off Mia during the opening moments.
RE7 also reintroduced the pursuer enemy that would be a stable of all RE Engine Resident Evil titles. Jack Baker and Mr. X are the two best uses of this pursuer enemy, and when RE7 first came out, Jack hunting you down was terrifying. The DLC was great, as well. My two favorites were 21, a card game, and Ethan Must Die, a super challenging game mode that will test you to your absolute limits. RE7 is on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. This game tends to go on sale for pretty cheap, and with the amount of content you get with the complete package, it is an absolute must-play.
Resident Evil: Village
With Resident Evil: Village, I absolutely loved the first playthrough, but further replays were kind of boring. The first playthrough was absolutely amazing. It truly felt like an RE4 successor but in First-Person. The amount of side objectives and optional stuff you can do in the game is a lot, and it makes it fun for completionists. If you’re the type of player who collects all of the treasures in RE4 every playthrough, this game will be right up your alley. The pacing is legitimately excellent in this game, and it never really drags. That is impressive for a game that, on my first playthrough, took around 15 hours to finish.
The statue puzzle room in the castle.
Further playthroughs were a little boring, though, because this game gives out infinite ammo weapons very easily. You unlock infinite ammo the same way as RE5, but in Village, you can simply upgrade the weapon fully and reload a save to keep your money. Village is frankly quite boring playing it with infinite ammo enabled. This was not the case with RE5, but that could be because, in that game, you still couldn’t move and shoot at the same time. My recommendation would be to not use the infinite ammo stuff because it honestly makes the game boring. Resident Evil: Village was a GOTY contender, and it is a definite must-play. Village is on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
A Beginner’s Guide to the Resident Evil Series – Conclusion
Must Play
Coming out of this beginner’s guide to the Resident Evil series, 7 games are must-plays. The Resident Evil remake is one of the best survival horror games ever made due to its scare factor and design. Both versions of Resident Evil 2 are great and different from each other. The original Resident Evil 3 is the entry that’s still engaging to play even after playing it a bunch of times. Resident Evil 4 is a great third-person shooter that still holds today. Resident Evil 7 is the entry that brought back the survival horror roots to the series after a long time of focusing on the action. Resident Evil: Village is a first-person RE4, but with better villains and not as linear.
Should Play
You should also play 4 other RE games. The original Resident Evil 1 still stands apart from the other classic titles with design elements not in any other original entry. The Resident Evil 3 remake is still an excellent third-person RE game and is scary, but it has some pacing issues and lacks bonus content. Resident Evil 5 is an epic and excellent endgame-style finale where Wesker is finally taken head-on. Resident Evil: Revelations 2 has a unique episodic affecting structure and has lore that’s very important to the RE series.
Should Skip
For a newcomer, skip 4 of these games. Resident Evil – Code: Veronica is where the series gets really off the rails, and due to the massive size and difficulty, this game isn’t for a newcomer. Resident Evil 0 will most likely end up being a bad impression of the series if you play it first due to the wasted time transporting items. The first Revelations is a game that, while decent, is unimportant to the series and adds nothing to the overall story. Resident Evil 6 has a great but poorly explained combat system and a fantastic Mercenaries mode, but the campaigns are way too long, and it’s boring playing the same section twice in different campaigns.
