As the release of Resident Evil 9 draws nearer, new and returning fans alike are gearing up for the next chapter in Capcom’s legendary survival horror series. But with over a dozen mainline entries, spin-offs, remakes, and animated films, the timeline can feel overwhelming. If you’re wondering which games you absolutely need to play before jumping into RE9, this guide breaks down the essential titles, optional lore enhancers, and the perfect play order to make sense of the tangled narrative.
The Must-Play Games for Understanding RE9’s Story
While Capcom has yet to reveal the full plot of Resident Evil 9, the ending of Resident Evil Village (RE8) and its DLC strongly suggest that the sequel will continue the Winters family saga, possibly focusing on a grown-up Rose Winters. Therefore, the two non-negotiable games are:
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
RE7 rebooted the series with a fresh first-person perspective and a standalone story that introduced Ethan Winters, his wife Mia, and the terrifying Baker family. The game establishes the Mold, a fungal bioweapon that becomes the core of the next two games’ mythology. It also introduces the shadowy organization known as The Connections. Without RE7, you’ll miss the entire foundation of Ethan’s journey and the origin of the Mold, which likely remains relevant in RE9.
Resident Evil Village (RE8)
A direct sequel to RE7, Village picks up a few years later and throws Ethan into a gothic nightmare filled with lycans, vampires, and more Mold experiments. The game reveals the true nature of Ethan’s infection, introduces Mother Miranda and the origins of the Mold, and ends with a massive timeskip showing a teenage Rose visiting her father’s grave. The Shadows of Rose DLC further explores her powers and hints at a lingering threat. If RE9 follows Rose, Village is indispensable.
Essential Classic Games for Character Backstory
While RE7 and Village are largely self-contained, several legacy characters appear who have deep histories. If you want the full emotional impact and context, consider playing these core entries.
Resident Evil (2002 Remake or Original)
The Spencer Mansion incident is where it all began. This game introduces Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Albert Wesker, and the Umbrella Corporation. Chris plays a pivotal role in RE7 and Village as a supporting character, and his history in bioterrorism is rooted here. The remake (often called REmake) is the definitive way to experience this classic.
Resident Evil 2 (2019 Remake)
Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield debut here during the Raccoon City outbreak. While Leon hasn’t appeared in the Winters saga yet, his ties to Chris and the overarching fight against bioterrorism make him a likely candidate for future crossovers. RE2’s remake also masterfully modernizes the fixed-camera gameplay of the original.
Resident Evil 4 (2023 Remake)
Originally a departure from zombies, RE4 introduced Las Plagas, a parasitic organism that shares thematic similarities with the Mold. More importantly, the remake includes cryptic references to the Mold and the Connections, suggesting Capcom is retroactively tying the lore together. Leon’s experience with parasites makes him uniquely qualified to confront whatever RE9 throws at us. Also, the Separate Ways DLC deepens Ada Wong’s involvement with the bioweapon trade.
Resident Evil 5 (Optional but Recommended)
Though somewhat divisive, RE5 concludes the long-running Wesker storyline and showcases Chris at his peak. It also introduces the concept of global bioterrorism and the BSAA, which Chris still works for in Village. The game’s co-op focus and African setting provide important context for Chris’s later desperation and the corruption of the BSAA hinted at in RE8’s epilogue.
Games You Can Safely Skip or Save for Later
Not every Resident Evil game is crucial for RE9’s plot. While they’re excellent games, these titles are less relevant to the Winters storyline.
Resident Evil 3 (2020 Remake) is a tight, action-packed retelling of Jill’s escape from Raccoon City, but its narrative impact on the current timeline is minimal. Resident Evil 6 is a bloated action spectacle that introduced many new characters but failed to advance the core lore in a meaningful way. Resident Evil 0 and Code: Veronica provide backstories for Rebecca Chambers and Claire/Chris, but neither is expected to play a direct role in RE9. The Revelations spin-offs are fun side adventures but remain disconnected from the Mold arc. Feel free to explore these after you’ve played the key games if you’re hungry for more.
The Best Order to Play Before RE9
Given the importance of the Winters saga, a chronological order within the modern remake timeline is most effective.
Start with the 2002 remake of Resident Evil to understand Chris’s origins. Then play Resident Evil 2 (2019) to meet Leon and see Raccoon City’s destruction. Move to Resident Evil 4 (2023) to grasp the evolution of bioweapons and Ada’s mysterious role. After that, dive into Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, followed immediately by RE Village and its Shadows of Rose DLC. This path weaves a cohesive narrative that builds from the Umbrella era to the Mold era, with Chris, Leon, and Ethan’s stories intersecting naturally.
If you’re short on time and only care about the direct plot of RE9, play RE7 and Village back to back. You can always circle back to the classics later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play all Resident Evil games before RE9?
No, only RE7 and RE Village are essential for the direct Winters storyline. However, playing the remakes of RE1, RE2, and RE4 will provide valuable character context and deepen your appreciation of the lore.
Is Resident Evil 4 Remake connected to RE9?
Capcom has planted subtle connections between the Las Plagas parasite and the Mold, suggesting a shared bioweapon origin. While not mandatory, RE4 Remake enriches the world-building and introduces concepts that may feed into RE9’s plot.
Which game explains the Mold?
The Mold is introduced in Resident Evil 7 and further explored in Village. The DLC for Village, Shadows of Rose, also expands on its lingering effects.
Should I play the original RE4 or the Remake?
The 2023 remake is the definitive experience. It features updated gameplay, visuals, and new lore connections that tie into the modern trilogy. Play the remake for a more seamless narrative flow into RE9.
Is Resident Evil 5 worth playing before RE9?
RE5 wraps up Chris’s arc with Wesker and shows the founding of the BSAA. While not directly linked to the Mold, it explains Chris’s motivations and the organization’s potential corruption referenced in Village. It’s optional but recommended for Chris fans.
What about the CGI movies? Are they required?
The animated films (Degeneration, Damnation, Vendetta, Death Island) are canon side stories starring Leon, Chris, and other characters. They’re fun but not necessary for understanding RE9. Save them for when you want more content after the games.
The Resident Evil series has always rewarded dedicated fans with deep continuity and callbacks, but newcomers can easily jump into the Winters saga with just a couple of key games. By focusing on RE7 and Village, you’ll be fully prepared for Resident Evil 9. And if you’ve got time, the acclaimed remakes will make your journey through this survival horror masterpiece even richer.
