By its (near-)constant excellence, innovation, and longevity, Resident Evil video games have earned their crown because the king of survival horror. Capcom debuted its world of mutants and mercenaries in 1996 and has since grown Resident Evil right into a multimedia franchise that spans over two dozen console video games, six movies, two latest Netflix collection, novels, comics, and even stage performs.
It may be an thrilling franchise to discover given the quantity of content material it homes, although for a similar cause, it may be an equally daunting collection to method in 2024. This text focuses solely on video video games and cuts out the convolution by presenting two methods to play solely essentially the most narratively vital and accessible Resident Evil video games so as.
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How Many Resident Evil Video games Are There?
There are 10 core Resident Evil video games: RE 0-7, Village, and Code: Veronica. Nonetheless, the overall variety of Resident Evil console video games — together with spinoffs and remakes — sits round 30. That quantity rises close to 60 when accounting for cellular and pachinko video games.
The right way to Play the Resident Evil Video games in Chronological Order
For this record, we’re specializing in 12 Resident Evil video games: all 10 core entries and the 2 Revelations spinoffs. Whereas many others are thought-about canon, this isn’t an exhaustive chronology, however somewhat an approachable information to coming into and having fun with the world of Resident Evil video video games.
Lacking from this record are cellular and pachinko video games, gentle gun and Wii shooters (Resident Evil Survivor, Survivor 2, Useless Purpose, Umbrella Chronicles, Darkside Chronicles), and non-canonical/non-consequential/tough to entry spinoffs (Resident Evil Gaiden, Outbreak, Outbreak: File #2, Mercenaries 3D, Operation Raccoon Metropolis, Resistance, Umbrella Corps, Re:Verse)
With collection newcomers in thoughts, the transient plot synopses beneath include solely gentle spoilers comparable to broad plot factors and character introductions.
1. Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil 0 is the fifth recreation launched within the collection however the first chronologically. It takes place simply earlier than the occasions of Resident Evil, with Particular Techniques and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) medic Rebecca Chambers and former marine Billy Coen discovering a prepare stuffed with zombies within the Arklay Mountains (dwelling to the Spencer Mansion). Billy and Rebecca uncover useful data associated to collection villains Albert Wesker and William Birkin. We additionally be taught extra concerning the origins of the sinister Umbrella Company and its lethal T-Virus. The sport wraps with Rebecca headed towards the mansion, the place she’d function a supporting character in RE 1.
Out there on: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, Wii, GameCube, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil 0 Wiki
2. Resident Evil
The primary Resident Evil got here to PlayStation in 1996, although for these coming to the franchise in 2022, you’ll need to play the 2002 remake (or its more moderen HD remaster), because it improves gameplay and expands on the story.
RE 1 picks up proper after RE 0. You play as one in all two S.T.A.R.S. brokers — Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine — who come to the Spencer Mansion whereas investigating a collection of murders within the woodlands exterior of Raccoon Metropolis. Chris/Jill encounters the murderous, mutated victims of the T-Virus and uncovers key details about Umbrella and its organic experimentation.
Out there on: PS4, PS3, PS1, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, Wii, GameCube, DS (Lethal Silence), Saturn, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil Wiki
3. Resident Evil 2
Going down two months after RE 0 and 1, Resident Evil 2 introduces two new protagonists — rookie cop Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (Chris’s sister) — every with their very own related but distinct marketing campaign. RE 2 additionally introduces the recurring character Ada Wong and the long-lasting Tyrant enemy.
We be taught extra about William Birkin and his work on an much more threatening virus referred to as the G-virus. Leon/Claire uncover extra disturbing particulars concerning the clandestine work of Umbrella, in addition to its ties to the Raccoon Police Division.
Resident Evil 2 is presently accessible to play at no cost with an Xbox Sport Move subscription.
Out there on: PS5, PS4, PS1, Xbox Sequence X|S, Xbox One, Swap (Nov. 11), GameCube, N64, Dreamcast, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil 2 Wiki
4. Resident Evil 3
The chronology will get dicey with Resident Evil 3, however for the sake of simplicity, we advocate taking part in it after 2. The primary a part of RE 3 takes place earlier than the occasions of RE 2; the second half takes place after. You possibly can play midway via 3, pause, play via 2, then return for the second half of three. Nonetheless, taking part in RE 3 after 2 gained’t detract from the expertise or your understanding of the story. We selected to position it fourth on this record seeing as its conclusion progresses the general narrative past RE 2.
You start RE 3 as Jill Valentine, nonetheless coping together with her expertise from RE 1, attempting to flee from an overrun Raccoon Metropolis. For a part of the sport, whereas Jill is indisposed, management shifts to her mercenary ally Carlos Oliviera. RE 3 additionally introduces Nemesis and divulges the destiny of Raccoon Metropolis.
Out there on: PS5, PS4, PS1, Xbox Sequence X|S, Xbox One, Swap (Nov. 18), GameCube, Dreamcast, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil 3 Wiki
5. Resident Evil: Code – Veronica
Resident Evil: Code – Veronica advances the timeline by a few months and sees Claire Redfield proceed the seek for her brother Chris that started in RE 2. This time Claire’s search takes her to an Umbrella facility in France, the place she escapes captivity and follows the path to the southmost area of Earth.
Chris Redfield, one of many protagonists from the unique recreation, returns as a second playable character in Code Veronica. Chris, like Claire, is in search of his sibling, and the search leads to a gathering with collection antagonist Albert Wesker.
Out there on: PS4, PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, GameCube, Dreamcast | IGN’s Resident Evil Code Veronica Wiki
6. Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4, arguably the collection’ most beloved entry, places gamers again within the footwear of Leon Kennedy six years after his time in Racoon Metropolis throughout RE 2. Leon travels to a rural village in Spain on a mission to rescue the U.S. president’s daughter.
There, Leon encounters a cult and explores its ties to a mind-controlling parasite. The story that unfolds weaves collectively the narratives of two characters from Resident Evil’s previous: Albery Wesker and Ada Wong.
Learn our Resident Evil 4 Remake evaluate to see the enhancements that have been made because the unique.
Out there on: PS5, PS4, PS3, PS2, Xbox Sequence X, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, Wii, GameCube PC, VR | IGN’s Resident Evil 4 Wiki
7. Resident Evil Revelations
Resident Evil Revelations is about between the occasions of RE 4 and 5. It explores one other consequence of Umbrella’s bioweapon growth and introduces gamers to the Bioterrorism Safety Evaluation Alliance (BSAA).
Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield are actually BSAA brokers, with Jill serving as the sport’s major protagonist. The duo head to the Mediterranean to fight using T-Abyss, a brand new variant of the T-Virus.
Out there on: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, Wii U, 3DS, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil Revelations Wiki
8. Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 is about 5 years after RE 4. Chris Redfield, as a part of the BSAA, flies to Africa along with his companion Sheva Alomar to stop the black market sale of a bioweapon. The folks of Kijuju, nonetheless, have already been contaminated with an enhanced model of the mind-controlling parasite seen in RE 4.
It’s a larger-scale story than previous Resident Evils, although Chris additionally embarks on the extra private mission of discovering his long-lost companion, Jill Valentine. We additionally be taught of Albert Wesker’s newest nefarious plot.
Not like previous video games within the collection, RE 5 could be performed cooperatively; the second participant controls Sheva.
Out there on: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil 5 Wiki
9. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is about between RE 5 and 6. It brings Claire Redfield again into the highlight for the primary time since Code Veronica. The sport is break up into 4 episodes, with every episode divided into two elements: a previous sequence with Clarie and Moira Burton and a gift sequence with Barry Burton (Moira’s father) making an attempt to find them. The story introduces one other antagonistic Wesker.
Out there on: PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil Revelations 2 Wiki
10. Resident Evil 6
Resident Evil 6 is an action-heavy journey that tells an much more sprawling (and convoluted) story than that of RE 5. It weaves collectively 4 campaigns starring Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Ada Wong, and a mercenary named Jake Muller.
The BSAA launched in Revelations performs an necessary function in 6, because the quartet of protagonists work to squash the bioterrorist group Neo-Umbrella and stop the unfold of one more mutant-creating virus (the C-Virus).
Out there on: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Swap, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil 6 Wiki
11. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
With Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Capcom reinvented the franchise in a number of methods: It’s RE’s return to mass acclaim and fandom following the largely disappointing fifth and sixth entries, it introduces a brand new protagonist in Ethan Winters, and most notably it switches the collection’ longrunning perspective from third-person to first-person.
Regardless of all these modifications, RE 7 nonetheless exists on the collection canonical timeline, presumably happening within the modern-day someday after RE 6. The sport is about in rural Louisiana, with the primary half happening within the dwelling of the splendidly insane Baker household. Its ties to previous RE video games are somewhat unfastened, although lots of the collection staples are right here: clandestine human experimentation, bioweapons, and towards the top, a well-known face.
Out there on: PS5, Xbox Sequence X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Swap, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil 7 Wiki
12. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village is a continuation (and the conclusion) of Ethan Winters’s story, set three years after the occasions of RE 7. Biohazard and Village stand on their very own as a duology of video games. Although Village features a few extra ties to the collection’ previous, together with a extra outstanding function for the aforementioned “acquainted face” and additional details about the origins of Umbrella.
A post-credits scene extends the timeline even additional. We’ll save the small print, however these curious can learn on to the following part for a bit extra context.
Out there on: PS5, Xbox Sequence X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Swap, PC | IGN’s Resident Evil Village Wiki
Bonus: Shadows of Rose DLC
Choosing up shortly after Village’s post-credits scene (16 years after the principle story of Village), Shadows of Rose progresses the Resident Evil timeline additional than any recreation earlier than it. Assuming the occasions of Village happen in 2021, Shadows of Rose brings the franchise into the close to way forward for 2037.
The three-4 hour DLC stars Ethan’s daughter Rose, who makes an attempt to rid herself of the undesirable powers inherited from her father.
Out there on: PS5, Xbox Sequence X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Swap, PC | IGN’s Shadows of Rose Wiki
Resident Evil: The Full Playlist
This is each RE recreation ever launched, together with the preferred compilations.
The right way to Play the Resident Evil Video games by Launch Date
Resident Evil (1996)*Resident Evil 2 (1998)*Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)*Resident Evil: Code – Veronica (2000)*Resident Evil 0 (2002)*Residet Evil 4 (2005)*Resident Evil 5 (2009)*Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)Resident Evil 6 (2012)*Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)*Resident Evil Village/Shadow of Rose (2021/2022)*
*Mainline Resident Evil video games
The Way forward for Resident Evil Video games
There’s a lot to sit up for from this iconic horror collection. In late 2023, Capcom confirmed they’re engaged on extra RE remakes, and a few studies counsel Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica are up subsequent. Earlier this month, Resident Evil 7 turned the latest RE recreation accessible to play on Apple gadgets. It is also wanting fairly possible that the unique Resident Evil recreation can be coming to PC within the close to future.
Capcom is not simply seeking to earlier video games, nonetheless. The studio not too long ago confirmed that Resident Evil 9 is in growth. Helmed by Resident Evil 7’s director Koshi Nakanishi, it stays to be seen whether or not RE9 will deliver again an present character or introduce a brand new protagonist to take the place of Ethan Winters.
In search of extra timeline guides? Test these out subsequent:
Jordan covers video games, reveals, and films as a contract author for IGN.
