How Many Resident Evil Games Are There?
There are numerous Resident Evil games, spanning console, mobile, and other platforms. The core, narratively significant titles number around 10, though spin-offs and remakes bring the total well above 30, and counting mobile and pachinko games bumps that count closer to 60.
How to Play the Resident Evil Games in Chronological Order
This guide focuses on a streamlined approach, highlighting the 12 most significant games for newcomers to the franchise, placing them in their correct temporal sequence. It provides brief plot summaries to aid understanding without excessive spoilers.
1. Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil 0, released later than Resident Evil 1, occurs chronologically earlier. Players follow Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen’s investigation into a zombie-infested train and the Spencer Mansion, providing crucial context about Umbrella Corporation, the T-Virus, and early antagonists like Albert Wesker and William Birkin. This sets the stage for the events in the first Resident Evil.
2. Resident Evil
The original Resident Evil, available in various remasters, picks up immediately after Resident Evil 0. Players control Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, S.T.A.R.S. agents, investigating the Spencer Mansion in the woods surrounding Raccoon City. The game highlights the terrifying impacts of the T-Virus and Umbrella’s nefarious activities.
3. Resident Evil 2
Two months after the events of Resident Evil and Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 2 unfolds. Players take on the roles of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, both involved in the aftermath of the Raccoon City outbreak. The game delves deeper into the nature of the T-Virus, introduces the Tyrant, and reveals more about William Birkin and his involvement with the G-Virus.
4. Resident Evil 3
While technically the third game in the release order, Resident Evil 3 follows the story chronologically a bit after 2, showcasing the devastation spreading through Raccoon City. Players primarily take on Jill Valentine, who is attempting to flee Raccoon City’s destruction. The game is essential for understanding the final events of the Raccoon City outbreak.
5. Resident Evil: Code – Veronica
Code Veronica chronologically follows events several months after Resident Evil 2. Claire Redfield, seeking her missing brother Chris, ventures into an Umbrella facility in France. The game features her alongside Chris Redfield in their search and reveals further details about Albert Wesker and Umbrella’s operations.
6. Resident Evil 4
Six years after Resident Evil 2, Leon Kennedy embarks on a mission in rural Spain to rescue the U.S. President’s daughter, encountering a cult and a mind-controlling parasite. Resident Evil 4 introduces a crucial element of the Umbrella Corporation’s experimentation and the fates of other characters like Albert Wesker and Ada Wong.
7. Resident Evil Revelations
Taking place between Resident Evil 4 and 5, players meet Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as members of the BSAA. They confront the dangers of the T-Abyss virus and uncover further Umbrella Corporation activities. This spin-off expands the overall narrative while introducing new characters and challenges.
8. Resident Evil 5
Five years after the events of Resident Evil 4, Chris Redfield and his partner Sheva Alomar head to Africa. They are tasked with stopping the black market trade of a bioweapon. This entry is notable for its cooperative gameplay. Chris’s quest also involves finding Jill Valentine.
9. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Set between Resident Evil 5 and 6, Resident Evil Revelations 2 brings Claire Redfield back into the spotlight. The game follows multiple timelines, featuring Claire’s past and present missions. This spin-off builds further on the ongoing Umbrella Corporation storyline.
10. Resident Evil 6
Resident Evil 6 is a sprawling narrative featuring Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Ada Wong, and a new character Jake Muller. Players join the BSAA to combat Neo-Umbrella and the newly-emerged C-Virus, offering a different take on the franchise’s main themes.
11. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
A significant shift from previous entries, Resident Evil 7 uses a first-person perspective and introduces Ethan Winters as the protagonist. Set in rural Louisiana, players delve into the Baker family’s home, encountering the classic elements of Umbrella’s bioweapons. The game marks a turning point in the series’s style and approach.
12. Resident Evil Village
Taking place three years after Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village continues Ethan Winters’s story. This conclusion touches on earlier themes and unveils fresh information about Umbrella’s origins and operations, while also bringing back a previously-introduced character.
Bonus: Shadows of Rose DLC
This DLC follows Rose, Ethan’s daughter, shortly after Resident Evil Village. The story proceeds 16 years beyond the core narrative, exploring new themes and introducing new elements. This DLC offers a unique and extended perspective into the Resident Evil timeline.
Resident Evil: The Complete Playlist
A collection of all released Resident Evil games, providing a comprehensive overview and a way to dive deeper into the complete franchise.
How to Play the Resident Evil Games by Release Date
- Resident Evil (1996)
- Resident Evil 2 (1998)
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
- Resident Evil: Code – 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: Biohazard (2017)
- Resident Evil Village (2021) / Shadows of Rose (2022)
The Future of Resident Evil Games
Capcom is actively developing further Resident Evil games, including remakes and sequels. The studio’s commitment to the franchise, with potential remakes of older titles and the upcoming Resident Evil 9, ensures that the world of Resident Evil continues to evolve.
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