For over 25 years, the Resident Evil series has defined survival horror, evolving from fixed cameras and tank controls to modern over-the-shoulder and first-person nightmares. With so many entries, remakes, and spin-offs, it can be overwhelming to know where to start, what to play, and how to survive. This guide distills everything you need to navigate the franchise, from timeline essentials and difficulty levels to pro tips and platform advice.
Whether you’re a newcomer looking for the best entry point or a veteran chasing platinum trophies, we’ve got you covered.
Choosing Your First Resident Evil Game
If you’re new to Resident Evil, the most accessible and widely recommended starting points are Resident Evil 2 (2019 remake) and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Both offer self-contained stories with modern controls and excellent atmosphere. RE2 Remake blends tense exploration with a persistent stalker enemy, while RE7 delivers a first-person, Southern Gothic horror trip that serves as a soft reboot for the series.
For those who prefer action over horror, Resident Evil 4 (original or 2023 remake) is a phenomenal choice that revolutionized the third-person shooter genre. The 2023 remake in particular refines the combat and pacing for today’s audience.
If you crave the classic fixed-camera experience, Resident Evil HD Remaster (the 2002 remake of the first game) is often hailed as the definitive version of that style. It demands careful resource management and puzzle solving, but it remains a masterclass in atmospheric horror. Just be prepared for tank controls, they take practice but become second nature.
Later numbered entries like Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 lean heavily into cooperative action and are best enjoyed with a friend. They’re less scary but offer bombastic set-pieces and plenty of content.
Remakes vs. Originals: Which Should You Play?
This question divides the community, but the short answer is both are worth experiencing if you have the time. The Resident Evil 1 Remake is a near-perfect recreation that enhances the original without sacrificing its core identity. However, the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes significantly overhaul the originals, opting for an over-the-shoulder camera and streamlined narratives. Some fans argue the original RE3 features more content and a better Nemesis, while the remake is shorter and more linear.
The Resident Evil 4 Remake keeps the spirit of the 2005 classic but polishes the controls, adds new mechanics, and deepens the story. It’s arguably the superior version for modern players. If you enjoy retro gaming, the original PS1 trilogy (available on GOG) offers unmatched charm and tighter inventory puzzles, while the remakes deliver visceral, up-to-date scares.
Understanding the Resident Evil Timeline
The series timeline can be confusing, especially around the Raccoon City incident. Here’s a rough chronological order of key events:
- Resident Evil 0 (1998): S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team’s fateful investigation.
- Resident Evil 1 / REmake (1998): Alpha Team enters the Spencer Mansion. Jill and Chris’s stories unfold simultaneously but with distinct scenarios.
- Resident Evil 3 (1998): Begins on September 28, before the events of RE2. Jill is knocked unconscious after a battle with Nemesis and wakes on October 1, after most of RE2 has transpired.
- Resident Evil 2 (1998): Takes place on September 29, while Jill is unconscious. Leon and Claire arrive after the outbreak has spread.
- Resident Evil: Code Veronica (1998): Claire searches for Chris, leading to Rockfort Island and Antarctica.
- Resident Evil 4 (2004): Leon on a mission to save the President’s daughter from a cult.
- Resident Evil 5 (2009): Chris and Sheva investigate bioterrorism in Africa. Features the series’ first physical appearance of Oswell Spencer.
- Resident Evil 7 (2017): Ethan Winters searches for his wife Mia in Louisiana, encountering the Baker family and a new form of Mold.
- Resident Evil Village (2021): Ethan’s journey to rescue his daughter from Mother Miranda and the Four Lords.
Key overlap: RE3 starts before RE2 and ends after it. Playing RE2 first is generally recommended to avoid minor spoilers and to better appreciate the references in RE3.
How Scary and Difficult Are the Games?
Resident Evil’s horror ranges from atmospheric dread to jump-out-of-your-seat terror. RE7 is widely considered the scariest entry due to its first-person perspective, claustrophobic setting, and initial stalker segments with Jack Baker. RE2 Remake features the unrelenting Mr. X, who creates constant tension. RE8 Village has fewer jumpscares and leans more into action and gothic horror, with House Beneviento being a standout frightening section.
Difficulty varies across the series. RE3 Remake is often cited as the easiest for trophy hunters because it allows infinite ammo weapons without penalty and has a short campaign. Code Veronica is notoriously tough due to scarce resources, no easy mode, and potential for softlocks. Resident Evil 0 challenges players with its dual-character inventory system, while RE1 Remake demands careful planning and limited saves (especially for the infinite rocket launcher unlock).
Essential Tips for Surviving the Horror
Regardless of which game you’re playing, a few core strategies will keep you alive:
- Conserve ammo: Not every zombie needs to die. Learn to dodge or use defensive items (like daggers or flash grenades in the RE1 Remake). In many titles, especially the originals, you can bait enemies into lunging and then slip past them.
- Explore thoroughly: Check every corner for herbs, ammo, and key items. In RE7, examine every inch of the Baker house for hidden supplies. In RE2 Remake, the map will show you if a room still has items to collect.
- Manage your inventory: Return to item boxes frequently. In RE0, you can drop items anywhere and retrieve them later, use that to your advantage. In RE5, you can access your inventory while reloading to swap items faster.
- Solve puzzles efficiently: For the music box in RE3, the solution is often up, down, up, down, down, up (UDUDDU), though it may vary by version. Always read files and examine objects for clues.
- Know when to switch characters: In Code Veronica, after certain events, you’ll swap between Claire and Chris. Avoid giving Claire heavy weapons before a switch; save them for Chris, who faces tougher enemies later.
- Heal smart: In RE6, combine herbs into tablets and then press the right trigger to heal. In Village, The Duke sells ammo one bullet at a time, crafting is usually more cost-effective.
Co-op, VR, and Extra Content
If you’d rather face the horror with a friend, Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 offer full online and couch co-op campaigns. Resident Evil Revelations 2 features couch co-op with asymmetrical roles, while the Outbreak games are cooperative but require some setup to play today. For solo bonus content, Resident Evil 4‘s Separate Ways and Resident Evil 5‘s Lost in Nightmares provide additional story missions.
For the ultimate immersion, several entries support VR. RE7 on PSVR1 is a terrifying experience, while Resident Evil 4 (original and remake) and RE8 Village offer VR modes on Meta Quest or PSVR2. Mods on PC also enable VR for RE2 and RE3 remakes.
Platform, Performance, and Legacy Game Access
The Resident Evil games are well-optimized on PC. Even modest hardware can run recent remakes smoothly. If you encounter crashes on PS5, try moving the game from external storage to the internal SSD or reinstalling it.
To play the original trilogy legally, the GOG versions are the most convenient and include quality-of-life improvements like skipping door animations. For games not natively on PC (such as Code Veronica), emulators like Dolphin (GameCube) or DuckStation (PS1) provide excellent performance. Always ensure you own the original discs before emulating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Resident Evil game should I play first?
Start with either the Resident Evil 2 (2019) remake or Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Both are modern entries that don’t require prior knowledge. If you enjoy them, you can explore earlier titles in any order.
Are the remakes faithful to the originals?
The Resident Evil 1 remake is extremely faithful. The RE2, RE3, and RE4 remakes modernize gameplay and story elements, so they differ notably from the originals. Both versions have merits, so it’s a matter of personal preference.
Is Ethan Winters really dead in RE7?
Yes. It’s heavily implied and later confirmed in Resident Evil Village that Ethan died during his first encounter with Jack Baker. The Mold reanimated him, granting him incredible healing abilities, which is why he can survive otherwise fatal injuries.
Why do the Resident Evil games have so many spiders?
Spiders appear in several classic RE titles as enemies. If you have arachnophobia, mods exist for the RE1 Remaster and other games to replace them. Otherwise, spider encounters are limited to specific areas and can often be avoided.
How long does it take to beat a Resident Evil game?
Most mainline entries clock in at 8 to 15 hours for a first playthrough. Speedrunners can complete many in under an hour. The series emphasizes replayability, with unlockables and higher difficulties rewarding multiple runs.
Does the Resident Evil series have many jump scares?
While jump scares are present, the franchise relies more on atmosphere, resource scarcity, and tension. The scares are often predictable once you learn enemy placements. RE7 leans more heavily on jump scares than other entries.
Can I play Resident Evil games in co-op?
Resident Evil 5, 6, and Revelations 2 support co-op. RE5 and 6 allow online and couch play, while Revelations 2 is couch-only with one player controlling a support character.
What is the hardest Resident Evil game to platinum?
Many consider Code Veronica one of the hardest due to a no-save run requirement and potential softlocks. Resident Evil: Resistance is also challenging because of online coordination. The easiest platinum is typically RE3 Remake.
Do I need to play all the games in order to understand the story?
Not strictly. Each game provides enough context to follow the plot. However, playing the numbered entries in order (including Code Veronica between 3 and 4) offers the richest narrative experience.
Where can I buy the original Resident Evil trilogy?
The original Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3 are available on GOG.com for PC. They are also slated for release on PS Plus Classics for PS5.
Resident Evil continues to evolve, but its core loop of resource management, exploration, and survival remains unchanged. Whichever game you choose, take your time, watch your corners, and remember: sometimes running is the smartest move of all.
