(Virtually) constant excellence, innovation, and longevity have topped the Resident Evil video games because the kings of survival horror. Since Capcom debuted its world of mutants and mercenaries in 1996, it has grown Resident Evil right into a multimedia sequence that spans greater than 20 console video games, six films, two latest Netflix sequence, novels, comics, and even a stage play.
It might be an thrilling sequence to discover given the quantity of content material it homes, however for a similar motive it might be an equally tough sequence to strategy 2025. In preparation for the upcoming launch of Resident Evil: Requiem, this text focuses solely on video video games and cuts by way of the complexities by presenting two methods to play solely probably the most narratively vital and accessible Resident Evil video games so as.
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What number of Resident Evil video games are there?
There may be 10 main Resident Evil video games: Bio 0-7, Village, Code: Veronica. Nevertheless, the whole variety of Resident Evil console video games, together with spin-offs and remakes, is round 30. In case you consider cell and pachinko video games, that quantity will increase to just about 60.
Which Resident Evil recreation must you play first?
Our general suggestion on the place to start out is to start out with Resident Evil 4 Remake. It is probably the most visually/technically spectacular bio-remake to this point, and maybe the perfect general Resident Evil recreation within the sequence’ practically 30-year historical past, because of its good mixture of motion and horror. It is a largely self-contained story, so that you need not play every earlier recreation.
Nevertheless, in the event you want first-person horror, Resident Evil 7: Resident Evil is an efficient place to start out. That is the start of Ethan Winters’ story and is a good recreation that makes use of a extra immersive first-person digital camera to intensify the scares.
play Resident Evil video games in chronological order
This record focuses on 12 Resident Evil video games: all 10 core video games and the 2 Revelations spin-offs. Though many different works are thought of canon, this isn’t an exhaustive chronology, however slightly an approachable information to coming into and having fun with the world of Resident Evil video video games.
Not included on this record are cell video games, pachinko video games, gentle gun and Wii shooters (Resident Evil Survivor, Survivor 2, Lifeless Intention, The Umbrella Chronicles, Darkside Chronicles), and non-canon/non-essential/hard-to-access spin-offs (Resident Evil Gaiden, Outbreak, Outbreak: The Information #2, Mercenaries 3D, Operation Raccoon Metropolis, Resistance, Umbrella). Corps, Re:Verse)
With these new to the sequence in thoughts, the transient synopsis under comprises solely gentle spoilers, together with a basic plot abstract and character introductions.
1. Resident Evil 0
biohazard 0 It’s the fifth recreation launched within the sequence, however chronologically the primary. It takes place simply earlier than the occasions of Resident Evil, the place Particular Tactical Rescue Service (STARS) medic Rebecca Chambers and ex-Marine Billy Cohen uncover a practice stuffed with zombies within the Arklay Mountains (residence to the Spencer mansion). Billy and Rebecca uncover helpful details about the sequence’ villains Albert Wesker and William Birkin. You may additionally be taught extra concerning the origins of the evil Umbrella Company and its lethal T-Virus. The sport ends with Rebecca heading to the mansion the place she performs as a supporting character in Bio 1.
2. Resident Evil
first resident evil got here to PlayStation in 1996, however these taking part in the sequence in 2022 will wish to play the 2002 remake (or the most recent HD remaster), which has improved gameplay and an expanded story.
Bio 1 begins instantly after Bio 0. You play as considered one of two STARS brokers, Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine. They arrive on the Spencer mansion whereas investigating a sequence of murders within the woods exterior Raccoon Metropolis. Chris and Jill encounter victims of the T-Virus’s brutal mutations and uncover vital details about Umbrella and its organic experiments.
3. Resident Evil 2
Set two months after “RE0” and “RE1”, resident evil 2 Two new protagonists are launched, rookie cop Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (Chris’s sister), every with their very own interconnected but distinct campaigns. RE 2 additionally options recurring character Ada Wong and the long-lasting enemy Tyrant.
Study extra about William Birkin and his analysis on an much more threatening virus known as the G-Virus. Leon and Claire uncover extra disturbing particulars about Umbrella Company’s secret operations and its relationship with the Raccoon Police Division.
Resident Evil 2 is presently free to play with an Xbox Sport Cross subscription.
4. Resident Evil 3
Chronology turns into unstable resident evil 3Nevertheless, I like to recommend taking part in it after 2 to make it simpler. The primary a part of Bio 3 takes place earlier than the occasions of Bio 2. The second half will happen afterwards. you It was finished Play by way of half 3, pause and play by way of 2, then return to the second half of three. Nevertheless, taking part in Resident Evil 3 after 2 will not spoil your expertise or understanding of the story. We determined to place it fourth on this record contemplating its ending advances the general story past Bio 2.
You start Bio 3 as Jill Valentine, nonetheless carrying your experiences from Bio 1, as you try to flee from the overrun Raccoon Metropolis. In some components of the sport, management passes to her mercenary buddy Carlos Oliviera whereas Jill is unwell. RE 3 additionally introduces Nemesis and divulges the destiny of Raccoon Metropolis.
5. Resident Evil Code β Veronica
Resident Evil Code β Veronica Shifting ahead just a few months within the timeline, we see Claire Redfield proceed the seek for her brother Chris that started in Resident Evil 2. This time Claire’s search takes her to an Umbrella facility in France, the place she escapes captivity and makes her strategy to the southernmost tip of the Earth.
Chris Redfield, one of many important characters from the unique recreation, returns as Code Veronica’s second playable character. Chris, like Claire, is looking for his brother, and his search leads to a gathering with Albert Wesker, the sequence’ antagonist.
6. Resident Evil 4
resident evil 4Arguably probably the most beloved entry within the sequence, gamers return to the sneakers of Leon Kennedy six years after his time in Raccoon Metropolis in Resident Evil 2. Leon travels to a rural Spanish village on a mission to rescue the daughter of the President of the US.
There Leon encounters a cult and investigates its connection to mind-controlling parasites. The story unfolds by interweaving the tales of two characters from Resident Evil’s previous, Albery Wesker and Ada Wong.
Learn our Resident Evil 4 Remake evaluation to see the enhancements remodeled the unique.
7. Resident Evil Revelations
Resident Evil Revelations This piece is about between the occasions of Bio 4 and 5. Discover the choice penalties of Umbrella’s organic weapons growth and introduce gamers to the Bioterrorism Safety Evaluation Alliance (BSAA).
Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield turn out to be BSAA brokers, with Jill being the primary protagonist of the sport. The 2 head to the Mediterranean to struggle the usage of the T-Abyss, a brand new variant of the T-Virus.
8. Resident Evil 5
resident evil 5 Chris Redfield and his companion Sheba Alomar fly to Africa as a part of BSAA to cease the sale of bioweapons on the black market. Nevertheless, the folks of Kijuju have already been contaminated with an enhanced model of the mind-controlling parasite from Resident Evil 4.
Though the story is bigger than earlier Resident Evil video games, Chris additionally embarks on a extra private mission to seek out his long-lost companion, Jill Valentine. Additionally find out about Albert Wesker’s newest sinister plot.
Not like earlier video games within the sequence, Bio 5 may be performed cooperatively. The second participant controls Sheva.
9. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is about between Bio 5 and 6. This brings Claire Redfield again into the highlight for the primary time since Code Veronica. The sport is split into 4 episodes, and every episode is split into two components. A previous sequence of Clary and Moira Barton, and a gift sequence the place Barry Barton (Moira’s father) tries to find them. One other hostile Wesker seems within the story.
10. Resident Evil 6
resident evil 6 is an action-focused journey that tells an much more expansive (and complicated) story than Resident Evil 5. It weaves collectively 4 campaigns starring Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Ada Wong, and a mercenary named Jake Muller.
Launched in Apocalypse, the BSAA performs a key position in 6 because the quartet of protagonists work to subdue the bioterrorist group Neo-Umbrella and forestall the unfold of a virus (the C-Virus) that creates yet one more mutant.
11. Resident Evil 7 Resident Evil
and Resident Evil 7 Resident Evil Capcom reinvented this sequence in a number of methods. It marked RE’s return to mass acclaim and fandom after a largely disappointing fifth and sixth movie, launched a brand new protagonist in Ethan Winters, and most notably, switched the sequence’ long-running perspective from a third-person perspective to a first-person perspective.
Regardless of all these modifications, Bio 7 nonetheless exists within the canonical timeline of the sequence, seemingly happening within the modern-day after Bio 6. The sport is about in rural Louisiana, with the primary half happening within the splendidly insane Baker household residence. The ties to previous RE video games are fairly unfastened, however lots of the sequence’ staples are right here, together with secret human experimentation, organic weapons, and a well-recognized face on the finish.
12. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village “Resident Evil” and “Village” are two separate video games. Nevertheless, Village features a few extra connections to the sequence’ previous, together with a extra distinguished position for the aforementioned “acquainted faces” and extra details about Umbrella’s origins.
The post-credits scene expands the timeline additional. I will save the small print, however in the event you’re , learn on to the following part for a bit of extra element.
Bonus: Shadows of Rose DLC
Happening instantly after Village’s post-credits scene (16 years after Village’s important story), Shadow of Rose advances the Resident Evil timeline additional than any earlier recreation. Assuming the occasions of Village happen in 2021, Shadows of Rose takes the sequence into the close to way forward for 2037.
The three-4 hour DLC stars Ethan’s daughter Rose as she tries to rid herself of the undesirable powers she inherited from her father.
play Resident Evil video games by launch date
- Resident Evil (1996)*
- Resident Evil 2 (1998)*
- Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999)*
- Resident Evil Code β Veronica (2000)*
- Resident Evil 0 (2002)*
- Resident Evil 4 (2005)*
- Resident Evil 5 (2009)*
- Resident Evil Revelations (2012)
- Resident Evil 6 (2012)*
- Resident Evil Revelations 2 (2015)
- Resident Evil 7: Resident Evil (2017)*
- Resident Evil Village/Shadow of Rose (2021/2022)*
*Mainline Resident Evil video games
The way forward for Resident Evil video games
There’s so much to take pleasure in on this iconic horror sequence. In late 2023, Capcom introduced that it’s engaged on additional Resident Evil remakes, with some experiences suggesting that Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica are subsequent in line.
Nevertheless, Capcom is not simply specializing in previous video games. The studio confirmed final 12 months that Resident Evil 9 was in growth, with a full reveal trailer formally titled Resident Evil Requiem unveiled at Summer season Video games Fest.
The brand new trailer, directed by Resident Evil 7 director Yasushi Nakanishi, seems to depict Raccoon Metropolis from the unique trilogy after it was destroyed in an try and include the virus. The trailer additionally introduces Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst and attainable daughter of Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft. There have to be extra right here than meets the attention.
Some theorists consider that the sport will characteristic none apart from Leon Kennedy once more, however Capcom has ostensibly denied that rumor with an fascinating justification. Let’s have a look at the way it goes.
In any case, Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled to be launched on February 27, 2026 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Change 2 (!!!). Pre-orders are actually open for numerous editions.
Resident Evil: Survival Unit, an RTS cell recreation mentioned to have been developed in shut collaboration with Capcom, can also be anticipated to reach on Android and iOS in late 2025. In the meantime, Capcom’s social media offered Leon with a very highly effective risk: the Duolingo owl.
Jordan is a contract author for videogameaddicted, protecting video games, exhibits, and flicks.