The Resident Evil franchise, a cornerstone of survival horror, boasts a sprawling narrative across numerous titles, remakes, and spin-offs. For both newcomers and returning fans looking to re-experience the saga, determining the optimal play order can be a daunting task. This guide dissects the various approaches, from strict chronological adherence to embracing the evolution of gameplay, offering a comprehensive roadmap through Raccoon City’s horrors and beyond.
Understanding the Resident Evil Saga
The world of Resident Evil is rich with intricate lore, recurring characters, and a pervasive sense of dread. At its core, the series explores the devastating consequences of bio-organic weapons developed by the nefarious Umbrella Corporation and other shadowy organizations. Navigating this universe requires an appreciation for its narrative depth and the distinct gameplay styles that have evolved over decades.
A Legacy of Survival Horror
Since its inception in 1996, Resident Evil has defined and redefined the survival horror genre. Early titles emphasized limited resources, puzzle-solving, and a deliberate, claustrophobic atmosphere. Subsequent iterations experimented with action-oriented gameplay, first-person perspectives, and cinematic storytelling, consistently pushing boundaries while retaining core thematic elements of biological terror and human resilience. This evolution means that the “best” play order often depends on what a player seeks from the experience – a deep dive into the overarching story, an appreciation for historical game development, or simply the most accessible entry point.
Different Paths Through Fear
There are primarily three popular methods for tackling the Resident Evil series: chronological order (following the in-game timeline), release order (experiencing the games as they came out), and a curated narrative order (focusing on key story beats). Each approach offers a unique perspective on the series, influencing how players perceive character development, plot twists, and the progression of the global bio-terrorism threat. Understanding these different pathways is crucial for tailoring a playthrough that maximizes enjoyment and narrative comprehension.
Chronological Playthrough: The Story Unfolds
For those who prioritize narrative coherence and wish to witness the unfolding drama of the Resident Evil universe from its earliest events, a chronological playthrough is the most direct route. This order traces the origins of the T-virus, the rise and fall of Umbrella, and the subsequent efforts to combat bio-organic threats worldwide.
The Umbrella Chronicles (Pre-RE0 & RE1)
While not a mainline game, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii, PS3) offers retrospective chapters that depict crucial events preceding Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil 1. It provides context for the founding of Umbrella, the development of early viruses, and the initial investigations by STARS (Special Tactics and Rescue Service). Though a light-gun shooter, its narrative segments are vital for understanding the backstory.
Resident Evil 0 & 1 (The Mansion Incident)
The saga truly begins with Resident Evil 0, a prequel to the original game. It introduces Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen as they uncover the horrific origins of the T-virus outbreak in the Arklay Mountains. Immediately following this, Resident Evil (preferably the 2002 remake, REmake) details the infamous mansion incident where Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine’s STARS team discovers Umbrella’s monstrous experiments firsthand. These two games lay the foundational horror and introduce many iconic elements of the franchise.
Resident Evil 2 & 3 (Raccoon City’s Demise)
The destruction of Raccoon City forms the next critical chapter. Resident Evil 2 (the 2019 remake is highly recommended) throws rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield into a full-blown zombie apocalypse as they navigate the overrun city and its police department. Following closely on its heels, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (2020 remake also excellent) chronicles Jill Valentine’s desperate escape from the city, hunted relentlessly by the terrifying Nemesis bio-weapon, ultimately detailing Raccoon City’s catastrophic end.
Code Veronica & The Darker Narrative
Resident Evil – Code: Veronica X (Dreamcast, PS2, GC) pushes the narrative beyond Raccoon City, with Claire Redfield searching for her brother Chris on Rockfort Island and eventually Antarctica. This title deepens the lore surrounding Umbrella’s founders and introduces significant antagonists, marking a turning point towards more complex, global conspiracies.
Resident Evil 4, 5, & 6 (Global Bio-Terrorism)
The series then shifts focus to combating global bio-terrorism. Resident Evil 4 (GameCube, PS2, PC, etc.) sees Leon S. Kennedy on a mission to rescue the U.S. President’s daughter from a mysterious cult in rural Spain, encountering a new parasitic threat. Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) follows Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar in Africa, confronting a massive bio-organic weapon outbreak and an old foe. Finally, Resident Evil 6 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) intertwines multiple protagonists’ stories, including Leon, Chris, Jake Muller, and Ada Wong, across a globe-spanning conflict against a new C-virus. These three titles are known for their more action-oriented gameplay.
Resident Evil 7 & Village (First-Person Horror Resurgence)
The most recent mainline entries represent a significant departure, adopting a first-person perspective and emphasizing psychological horror. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS4, Xbox One, PC) introduces Ethan Winters, a civilian searching for his missing wife Mia in a dilapidated Louisiana plantation, uncovering a new fungal bioweapon. Resident Evil Village (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC), a direct sequel, continues Ethan’s story as he battles mutated creatures and monstrous lords in a remote European village, tying back to the series’ foundational lore in unexpected ways.
Other Canonical Titles
Beyond the main entries, several spin-offs contribute to the chronological narrative:
- Resident Evil Revelations (3DS, PC, Consoles): Fills the gap between RE4 and RE5, featuring Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield aboard a derelict cruise ship.
- Resident Evil Revelations 2 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC): Set between RE5 and RE6, following Claire Redfield and Barry Burton on a mysterious island.
- CGI Movies: Degeneration, Damnation, and Vendetta are canonical animated films that bridge narrative gaps and expand on character developments, typically taking place between mainline games (e.g., Degeneration between RE4 & RE5, Damnation between RE5 & RE6, Vendetta after RE6).
Release Order: Experiencing Evolution
Playing the Resident Evil games in their original release order offers a unique historical perspective, allowing players to witness the series’ evolution in terms of gameplay mechanics, graphical fidelity, and storytelling approaches. This method showcases how Capcom experimented with different styles, from fixed camera angles to over-the-shoulder action and modern first-person immersion.
From Fixed Cameras to Over-the-Shoulder
Starting with the original Resident Evil (1996), players would experience the revolutionary fixed camera angles and tank controls that defined early survival horror. Progressing through Resident Evil 2 (1998) and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) would show refinements to this formula. The leap to Resident Evil – Code: Veronica X (2000) introduced fully 3D environments, a significant graphical upgrade. The most dramatic shift came with Resident Evil 4 (2005), which pioneered the over-the-shoulder perspective that influenced countless action games, marking a departure from pure survival horror towards action-horror.
The Modern Remakes’ Impact
The recent remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 present a compelling argument for prioritizing modern takes. While they aren’t in the original release order, they often serve as excellent entry points for new players due to updated controls, graphics, and refined storytelling. Experiencing the original games first, then revisiting them through their remakes, offers a fascinating contrast and highlights how far game development has come, even if it disrupts a strict ‘original release’ flow. Some purists, however, argue that remakes should be played after their original counterparts to fully appreciate the changes.
Witnessing Gameplay Innovation
Release order lets players trace the journey from the puzzle-heavy, resource-scarce environments of the PS1 era to the high-octane action sequences of Resident Evil 5 and 6, and finally to the immersive, grounded terror of Resident Evil 7 and Village. It’s a journey through the evolution of horror gaming itself, showcasing how the series adapted to technological advancements and changing player expectations while striving to maintain its identity.
Narrative Order for the Deepest Dive
A curated narrative order focuses on maximizing story impact and character arcs, often combining elements of chronological and release order while prioritizing thematic coherence. This approach might involve skipping certain spin-offs that don’t heavily contribute to the main plot or strategically placing others to fill in specific gaps.
Key Story Arcs and Connections
This order emphasizes understanding the core narrative threads: the fall of Umbrella, the rise of bioterrorism, and the personal journeys of characters like Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, and Claire Redfield. Playing Resident Evil 0 and REmake back-to-back creates a powerful initial arc. Following RE2 and RE3 with Code: Veronica X ensures a continuous Raccoon City survivor narrative. The sequence of RE4, Revelations, RE5, Revelations 2, and RE6 then charts the global struggle, showcasing the expansion of the threat and the hardening of the protagonists. Finally, RE7 and Village launch the new era of horror, with their unique protagonist Ethan Winters connecting to the wider lore in profound ways.
Filling in the Gaps with Spin-offs
While not always essential for the core story, titles like the Revelations series provide crucial context and character development that enhance the overall narrative. Playing them at their chronological points within the main series can enrich understanding of events and motivations between the larger installments. For instance, Revelations provides insight into Chris and Jill’s partnership and the origins of new organizations before RE5, while Revelations 2 bridges critical character moments between RE5 and RE6. The CGI movies also play a role here, offering official canon side stories that expand the universe.
Recommended Starting Points for Newcomers
For those just beginning their journey into the world of Resident Evil, jumping straight into the chronological or release order can be overwhelming due to dated mechanics, varying difficulty, or simply the sheer volume of games. Here are a few accessible entry points:
Option 1: The Resident Evil 2 Remake
The 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 is arguably the best starting point. It offers a perfect blend of modern gameplay, stunning graphics, and classic survival horror tension. Its narrative is self-contained enough to be understood without prior knowledge, while also introducing iconic characters (Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield) and the quintessential Resident Evil setting (Raccoon City) in a highly polished package. It beautifully captures the series’ essence without the baggage of older controls or obscure lore.
Option 2: Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
If a first-person perspective and a strong emphasis on psychological horror are appealing, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is an excellent choice. It serves as a soft reboot for the franchise, featuring a new protagonist and a self-contained story that requires no prior knowledge of the series. Its immersive atmosphere and terrifying antagonists offer a fresh take on the horror, while still connecting to the wider Resident Evil universe later on, making it a great entry point that leads directly into Resident Evil Village.
Option 3: Original Resident Evil (REmake)
For players who appreciate classic horror and want to experience the series from its true beginnings, the Resident Evil HD Remaster (the 2002 GameCube remake, widely available) is the definitive way to play the original. While its controls and fixed camera angles require some adjustment, it offers an unparalleled atmosphere, intricate mansion design, and pure survival horror mechanics. It’s a challenging but rewarding entry for those committed to understanding the roots of the genre.
Ultimately, the best way to play Resident Evil is the one that best suits individual preferences. Whether meticulously following the lore, experiencing the historical progression, or simply jumping into a modern masterpiece, the Resident Evil franchise offers a deep, terrifying, and unforgettable journey into the heart of fear.