Every Resident Evil Game Ranked Worst To Best
After 25 years and over two dozen games, "Resident Evil" has firmly established itself as one of the most iconic video game franchises on the market — and it doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. Like the undead monsters and mysterious organizations that populate its games, "Resident Evil" just can't seem to die, for better or for worse. It would take more than a well-placed headshot to take down this gargantuan creature of a franchise — and who would want to try?
At its best, "Resident Evil" is responsible for some of the most critically-acclaimed survival horror games ever to hit the market, but they can't all be winners. For every victory on the level of "Resident Evil 7" or the "Resident Evil 2" remake, there is an ill-timed spinoff or a great big swing that turned out to just be a miss. In order to celebrate the world of "Resident Evil" in all of its variety, it's best to truly look at it all: the good, the bad, and the scary. Here is a ranking of every single "Resident Evil" game, from the very worst to the best of the best.
30. Umbrella Corps
"Umbrella Corps" was an ill-fated multiplayer-based tactical shooter released in 2016 as a spin-off of the main "Resident Evil" games. Players can play as a mercenary from one of two different corporations, co-operating with their fellow mercenaries as they fight their way through various zombie-infested locales.
As soon as it was released, the critical consensus on "Umbrella Corps" was largely negative, with many feeling it didn't even feel like a "Resident Evil" game. Digital Spy's Liam Martin wrote, "Moving even further from the series' survival horror roots, 'Umbrella Corps' is a multiplayer shooter that shares more in common with 'Call of Duty' than the 'Resident Evil' games of old."
Only a week after its release, the game's lobby sat as empty as the creepy, dilapidated buildings in the better games that came before it. Bob Mackey's USgamer review noted that he waited in the lobby for two hours without a single multiplayer session. He spotted a handful of other players, but not enough to play the game as intended. So soon after its release, the verdict was clear: If any "Resident Evil" game could be considered an outright failure, this was one.
29. Resident Evil: Survivor
If "Umbrella Corps" is the least favorite child of the "Resident Evil" franchise, then "Resident Evil: Survivor" is the estranged cousin that no one wants to invite to the spooky family reunion. This first-person light gun zombie shooter, released as the first entry in the "Gun Survivor" sub-series, takes place after Raccoon City has been wiped out by a missile explosion. The player takes on the role of a pilot who crashes near the Umbrella Corporation's township on Sheena Island. The pilot then wakes up with no memory of his identity and surrounded by zombies. Sounds like a decent enough start.
However, the game was not welcomed with open arms, but rather a series of negative reviews that criticized the unattractive graphics that got worse when your character gets close (via IGN) and departure from the classic survival-horror mechanics and tone of the "Resident Evil" games (per AllGame).
- Release Date: Jan. 27, 2000
- Available On: PlayStation, PC
- Genre: First-Person Shooter, Light Gun Shooter
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 39 (PlayStation)
28. Resident Evil Re:Verse
Far from a traditional "Resident Evil" game, "Resident Evil Re:Verse" is a cross-platform third-person death-match shooter that pits classic characters from the series against one another. Players can choose from Ada Wong, Leon S. Kennedy, Chris and Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine, and HUNK, facing off on two different maps. Upon death, players can turn into classic monsters from the franchise, including Super Tyrant or Jack Baker. Although this roundup of iconic characters sounds like it would be a fun departure from the usual "Resident Evil" experience, fans have found "Resident Evil Re:Verse" to be severely lacking in content and engaging gameplay.
Firstly, many players found the controls and movement to be very ill-fitting for this free-for-all style of gameplay. Characters in the game move slowly and are often unresponsive. Additionally, some fans hoped there would be a little bit of story added to explain why these iconic characters were interacting with one another, but "Resident Evil Re:Verse" offers zero explanation. Finally, the game suffers from some severe balancing issues, leading to some rounds feeling like a slog to get through. "Resident Evil Re:Verse" was thankfully free with the purchase of "Resident Evil Village," though it still may not be worth trying.
- Release Date: Oct. 28, 2022
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series X
- Genre: Third-person Shooter
- Game Modes: Online multi-player (up to 6)
27. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
In 2012, Capcom released "Operation Raccoon City," a third-person shooter co-developed by Slant Six Games. Though set at around the same time as "Resident Evil 2" and "Resident Evil 3" and featuring some familiar faces, the events of "Operation Raccoon City" were developed to be a non-canonical "hypothetical" situation (via Six Slant Games) with no bearing on the story of the larger "Resident Evil" universe. The game received largely negative critical reviews, citing confusing twists, unlikeable characters, incompetent AI, and not enough fun action to make up for its flaws.
A GamesRadar review listed the few pros of "Operation Raccoon City," mentioning the skill trees and the fun of "laughing at your idiotic AI squadmates." Meanwhile, the cons were the game's inept cover system, the number of times players would "[try] to revive someone but [pick] up a weapon instead." In other words, it's a shooter that made shooter mechanics not fun at all.
26. Resident Evil Outbreak File #2
This game was a stand-alone expansion to the original 2003 "Resident Evil Outbreak," which had been received fairly well (more on that later). The same characters returned for "File #2", finding themselves in the same zombie-infested Raccoon City for five new scenarios that didn't make it into the first "Outbreak" release. Unfortunately, releasing this expansion after the critically acclaimed and beloved "Resident Evil 4" highlighted the weaknesses of the "Outbreak" sub-series and served more as a reminder of the lower points of the franchise than a worthwhile addition.
GameSpot articulated this issue of timing in its review: "'Outbreak' was an interesting experiment a year ago, but since we've now seen the 'Resident Evil' series finally move on with its incredible fourth installment, dealing with the archaic gameplay conventions of 'File #2' today feels a little like taking a step backward."
- Release Date: Sept. 9, 2004
- Available On: PlayStation 2
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player, Online multiplayer (up to 4)
- Metacritic Score: 58 (PS2)
25. Resident Evil: Resistance
"Resident Evil: Resistance" is a 2020 online multiplayer game where users play as civilians facing off against mutants after being abducted by the Umbrella Intelligence Division. Four players take on the role of survivalists battling against a mastermind player who is able to create traps, enemies, and other dangers to set loose on the others. The main goal is to escape from the mastermind before the time runs out. If the four co-op players can best the mastermind, they win.
It's a fun enough idea; a little bit classic "Resident Evil," a little bit classic co-op game — and a little bit "Saw." Unfortunately for many critics and players alike, the game did not live up to its potential. Critics praised interesting ideas buried within the game, but highlighted technical issues like netcode that bordered on unplayable and unstable connections. Add that to unbalanced gameplay and you have a title that is, in the words of Windows Central's review of the game, "just not worth the hassle."
- Release Date: April 3, 2020
- Available On: PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Online multiplayer (up to 5)
- Metacritic Score: 64 (PS4)
24. Resident Evil: Dead Aim
Not quite a perfect shot. "Resident Evil: Dead Aim" is the fourth entry in the "Gun Survivor" sub-series, as well as the first to feature the combination of first-person shooting and third-person movement seen throughout many other "Resident Evil" games. "Dead Aim" takes place in 2002, four years after the events of the "Racoon City Incident" that kicked off the series. The story follows Bruce McGivern of USSTRATCOM's "Anti-Umbrella Pursuit Investigation Team" as he attempts to handle a hostage situation that endangers the safety of the entire world. This mission takes him aboard the T-virus infested, Umbrella-owned ocean liner Spencer Rain.
This light-gun FPS was praised for improving on the issues with "Survivor," particularly the graphics, but it ultimately suffered from cheesy dialogue and a lack of originality. Eurogamer also argued that it had too little story or content to be considered more than "a classic weekend rental."
- Release Date: Feb. 13, 2003
- Available On: PlayStation 2
- Genre: Light gun shooter
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 65 (PS2)
23. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
This third-person shooter was the franchise's first 3DS exclusive, and served as a compilation of the "Mercenaries" minigames from previous "Resident Evil" games. The Mercenaries missions allow the player to select a classic "Resident Evil" character and attempt to kill as many enemies as possible before the timer runs out. This 3DS exclusive version included 8 playable characters and introduced an online co-op multiplayer mode that was not present in the original bonus content.
Dan Whitehead praised the title's solid gameplay, but also highlighted the game's shortcomings: "by refusing to augment or develop the core idea from its mini-game roots, Capcom has doomed it to second tier status." Basically, was simply not much to be found here that players hadn't already gotten out of their copies of "Resident Evil 4" and "Resident Evil 5".
- Release Date: June 2, 2011
- Available On: Nintendo 3DS
- Genre: Survival horror, Third-person shooter, Co-op shooter
- Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer (up to 2)
- Metacritic Score: 65 (3DS)
22. Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Did you know that the "DS" in Nintendo DS actually stands for "Deadly Silence?" Don't look that up. This Nintendo DS exclusive was a partial remake of the original "Resident Evil", released in honor of the game's 10th anniversary. "Resident Evil: Deadly Silence" took the original PlayStation foundation and built onto it to create a somewhat modernized version of the classic game that would suit the dual-screen gameplay of the new platform.
While this sounded promising, it was more impressive as a conversion from one platform to another than it was as a game in and of itself. IGN pointed out that this release served to highlight some of the more dated aspects of the original game. Not only that, but many of the scares no longer had the impact they once had, possibly due to the limitations of playing on such a comparatively small screen.
- Release Date: Feb. 7, 2006
- Available On: Nintendo DS
- Genre: Action, Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 71 (DS)
21. Resident Evil Gaiden
Remember the Game Boy Color? If you're over a certain age, just reading those words might be enough to evoke some pretty potent nostalgia. If you're under a certain age, you might just be asking, "Was there ever a Game Boy without color?" Yes, and it took adding color to get a handheld "Resident Evil" game.
In 2001, "Resident Evil Gaiden" was released, breaking from the rest of the series with a top-down gameplay style that switches into first-person combat sequences when approached by zombies. Despite that interesting approach, this installment was considered enjoyable, but nothing special — and not much of a "Resident Evil" game at all, aside from its incorporation of familiar characters and a classic viral outbreak. As a GameSpot review of the release put it: "Besides the 'Resident Evil' namesake and a well-crafted story, there's nothing that sets 'Gaiden' apart from any of the countless other action games available for the Game Boy Color."
- Release Date: Dec. 14, 2001
- Available On: Game Boy Color
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
20. Resident Evil Survivor 2 - Code: Veronica
This light gun shooter was released on PlayStation 2, as well as on arcade machines in collaboration with Namco. The game is an adaptation of the original "Code: Veronica", and features enemies and characters from that game as well as enemies from "Resident Evil 2" and 3. The player can play as either Claire Redfield or Steve Burnside, in two gameplay modes: dungeon and arcade. Arcade mode also features a partner system, which allows the player to team up with an AI that can provide a little bit of extra assistance as they play.
Unfortunately, the game did not live up to "Code: Veronica," and many fans considered it to be repetitive and ugly-looking — as well as unnecessary. In fact, before the game even came out, IGN asked, "Why the hell are we still getting this?" This seemed to echo the overall sentiment of others who were not that interested in the game:
- Release Date: 2001
- Available On: Arcade, PlayStation 2
- Genre: Survival horror, Light gun shooter
- Game Modes: Single-player
19. Resident Evil Outbreak
This survival horror spinoff was comprised of five short episodic stories and starred a cast of eight new characters navigating Raccoon City some time shortly after the events of the first three "Resident Evil" games. The game featured some innovative gameplay including online multiplayer, team co-op, and the ability to turn into a zombie.
However, as noted by GameSpy, the co-op gameplay lacked any way to communicate with one's partner via voice, limiting the efficiency of matches. If a player decided to forget about the co-op stuff and just play solo, the single-player mode's story fell flat and the difficulty was cranked to high when compared to the main games in the series. There was nothing overtly wrong with the game (aside from being unable to communicate with your co-op partner, that's just frustrating), but there was nothing to make it stand out in a franchise already filled to bursting with better spinoffs and main games to choose from.
- Release Date: Dec. 11, 2003
- Available On: PlayStation 2
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player, Online multiplayer (Up to 4)
- Metacritic Score: 71 (PlayStation 2)
18. Resident Evil 6
The sixth entry in the main series of "Resident Evil" games took players through four interwoven stories, each campaign focused on one of the main characters: Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Jake Muller, and Ada Wong, following them as they battle the force behind a global-scale bio-terrorism attack, and the ensuing chaos.
Though this game was one of the top sellers in the franchise, critics highlighted inconsistencies in the story quality of the various campaigns, as well as gameplay that felt more like a shooter than the survival horror roots of the franchise and embraced a ton of quick-time events. The game was definitely ambitious, incorporating multiple plot threads and making an effort to bring back fan favorite characters. However, as Eurogamer's Simon Parkin put it, "all the effort in the world won't make up for a lack of vision."
17. Resident Evil Revelations 2
In "Resident Evil: Revelations 2," Claire Redfield and her co-workers are at a party in the headquarters of biohazard prevention agency TerraSave when they are attacked out of nowhere. They are then taken to an island in the Baltic sea (of course), where things only get worse for them — and more bizarre.
This episodic follow-up to "Resident Evil: Revelations" and "Resident Evil 5" received mixed reviews. Writing for Polygon, Philip Kollar praised the game's focus, a quality previous entries had lacked, as well as its satisfying gunplay, but highlighted the game's repetitive nature and lack of unique settings or any real surprises. In Kollar's words: "While it has obvious areas for improvement — its level design, its online functionality, its visuals — 'Resident Evil Revelations 2' has a strange sort of confidence in what it's trying to do that the series has needed for some time now." While not perfect, this entry has some fun elements that make it worth a second look.
16. Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
"Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles" is an on-rails shooter game developed by Capcom and Cavia for the Ninteno Wii. The game contains four scenarios to play through, each expanding on or retelling events from previous games: "Operation: Javier" focuses on Leon Kennedy four years after the events of "Resident Evil 2," "Memories of a Lost City" re-tells the events of "Resident Evil 2," "Game of Oblivion" retells "Resident Evil Code: Veronica," and "Darkness Falls" focuses on Jack Krauser's thought process during the earlier events of Operation Javier.
"Darkside Chronicles" was considered to be a diverting shooter, but little else. Nintendo Magazine UK's review of the game says: "It's got a lot of style and the substance shows up eventually but it's well short of classic status." It also fell short of being a worthy follow-up to "The Umbrella Chronicles." As a GameZone review put it, "'Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles' is a good on-rails shooter, but it's only a decent sequel."
- Release Date: Nov. 17, 2009
- Available On: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3
- Genre: Action, Horror, Rail shooter
- Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer (Up to 2)
- Metacritic Score: 75 (Wii)
15. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
This 2007 rail shooter was the first "Resident Evil" game to debut exclusively on the Nintendo Wii. In another first, "Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles" was the first rail shooter to have "Resident Evil" in its name. The game reveals the role of the Umbrella Corporation throughout the main "Resident Evil" series through the narration of Albert Wesker, and is composed of five scenarios that examine scenes from previous games through a different lens.
The game received positive critical ratings for its satisfying gameplay and length. Though it was somewhat lacking in depth, many critics and gamers didn't mind the game's shortcomings, echoing the sentiment of the AtomicGamer review: "This game could have been much better with a more rounded out story and a little polish, but what we get here is a good amount of raw fun and plenty of survival-horror nostalgia." If only the sequel had hit the same high notes.
14. Resident Evil 5
The fifth installment in the main series of "Resident Evil" games finds Chris Redfield in Africa in 2009, four years after the events of "Resident Evil 4." There, he must stop the sale of a bio-weapon and contend with an outbreak of mind-controlling parasites.
Though "Resident Evil 5" managed to win several awards following its release, including the Award of Excellence at the 2009 Japanese Game Awards, many critics and fans of the franchise alike were disappointed in its prioritization of action game style over the horror elements that put "Resident Evil" on the map in the first place. Eurogamer's Kristan Reed wrote, "Whereas 'Resi 4' skillfully straddled a happy middle ground between old and new, 'Resi 5' embraces the action element without concession. Whether it goes too far, of course, will be a matter of serious discourse." And it has been.
- Release Date: March 5, 2009
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile
- Genre: Third-person shooter
- Game Modes: Single-player, local multiplayer, online multiplayer
- Metacritic Score: 86 (PC), 84 (PlayStation 3), 69 (PlayStation 4), 72 (Switch), 83 (Xbox 360), 75 (Xbox One)
13. Resident Evil Revelations
This 2012 3DS game follows Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they investigate a group of bioterrorists that plan to infect the ocean with a deadly virus. The gameplay places an emphasis on survival and exploration over action and combat, limiting player health, ammunition, and speed. The game includes both a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode, both of which have received positive feedback from critics.
Reviews have praised the strengths of the game including graphics and the effectively creepy setting of an abandoned cruise ship. However, prioritizing annoying characters and taking the action away from the cruise ship limits the game's effectiveness, as do the somewhat outdated graphics and uneven controls. As IGN's Richard George put it: "What holds this game back from true greatness is that it doesn't understand its strengths."
12. Resident Evil 3 (2020)
This 2020 remake of 1999 survival horror classic "Resident Evil 3: Nemesis" was developed at the same time as the 2019 remake of "Resident Evil 2." It has the same basic story as the original game, with some edits and rearrangements made in order to provide more focus to the characters and Nemesis itself. Additionally, the movement speed and animations were revamped, and a "dodge" ability was added to allow players to evade enemy attacks.
Some fans criticized the game's intense difficulty, but the game was largely well-received by critics, who praised it for its handling of the original material while adding a contemporary sensibility. IGN's Lucy O'Brien highlighted its combination of classic "Resident Evil" flavor with contemporary gaming technology and sensibility, saying it "does an amazing job of recapturing the horror and tension of the late '90s original while completely modernizing its gameplay."
- Release Date: March 3, 2020
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 77 (PC), 79 (PlayStation 4), 84 (Xbox One)
11. Resident Evil Code: Veronica
Released on the Sega Dreamcast, this 2000 installment was the first major "Resident Evil" game to be launched on a platform other than the PlayStation. "Code: Veronica," which takes place three months after the events of "Resident Evil 2" and the destruction of Raccoon City seen in "Resident Evil 3," brings back the character of Claire Redfield. She continues her search for her brother Chris, who the player controls in the latter half of the game.
"Code: Veronica" received a great deal of critical praise, highlighting the depth of story and a persistently creepy atmosphere. While later reviews have taken the game to task for its "camp dialogue" and clunky controls (via Eurogamer), some critics considered it the best entry in the series at the time of its release.
- Release Date: Feb. 3, 2000
- Available On: Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, GameCube, Xbox 360
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 94 (Dreamcast)
10. Resident Evil 0
This 2002 release serves as a prequel to the original "Resident Evil" (and its 2002 remake) and covers the experience of the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team in the Arklay Mountains. The player toggles back and forth between the two playable characters throughout the game, guiding officer Rebecca Chambers and criminal Billy Coen as they navigate an abandoned Umbrella facility. They must team up and combine their skills to investigate mysterious deaths and escape with their own lives. Also, there are leeches. God, so many leeches. Try going in the water ever again after you play this one.
The reviews for "Resident Evil 0" were generally positive, praising the spooky mood and attention to detail, as well as the scary main villains. However, there was a mixed reaction to gameplay changes made from the previous "Resident Evil" games, including a frustrating new inventory system.
9. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
This third entry in the series marks the return of protagonist Jill Valentine — first seen in the original "Resident Evil" — now pitted against the horrifying Nemesis. The story, which ties into the fiery events of "Resident Evil 2," follows Jill's attempt to survive and escape Raccoon City.
All the while, she must escape or defeat Nemesis, a bio-weapon targeting S.T.A.R.S. members and taking them out one by one. "Resident Evil 3" prioritizes action slightly over the survival horror elements of the previous games, as well as a largely outdoor setting. Though critics praised many of the changes, with IGN referring to it as "damn fine gaming," some took issue with the shorter length. Niche Gamer summed it up by praising the branching plot lines and music, calling this game "the complete package."
- Release Date: Sept. 22, 1999
- Available On: PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 4, PSP, GameCube, Sega Dreamcast
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 71 (PC), 91 (PlayStation), 62 (GameCube), 79 (Dreamcast)
8. Resident Evil
This is the game where it all began: 1996's "Resident Evil." The first game to popularize using the term "survival horror" to characterize itself, it was developed and released by Capcom under the original name "Biohazard" before being renamed "Resident Evil" in the States. The game's story centers around members of the task force S.T.A.R.S., following as they investigate disappearances along the outskirts of the fictional Raccoon City. There, they find themselves trapped in a mansion crawling with zombies and various mutated monsters, including the famous zombie dogs as well as giant spiders and sharks.
"Resident Evil" was praised as a "revolutionary title" (via GameSpot) and became a best-seller (though it would later be surpassed by its own sequels). Even though it hasn't aged as gracefully as some other entries, there's no denying the influence this original game had on an entire genre. Horror was never the same again.
- Release Date: March 22, 1996
- Available On: PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 3, PSP, Nintendo DS, Sega Saturn
- Genre: Survival horror, Third-person shooter, Adventure
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 91 (PlayStation), 84 (PC)
7. Resident Evil Village
This follow-up to "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard," released in 2021, follows Ethan Winters to an Eastern European village where he must search for his kidnapped daughter and do his best to survive its mutant inhabitants. The internet was split over changes made to the level of scares following the previous games, but there are still plenty of iconic monsters to be found here. From the towering vampiric Lady Dimitrescu (the subject of a great deal of online thirst and several memes that fans won't want to miss) to Angie, a doll that gives Chucky and Annabelle a run for their money, the game hosts a variety of creepy characters.
Though some fans weren't wild about the lowered scare factor, outlets like GameSpot praised the game's big swings, excellent monsters, and ability to creature a frightening story of its own without attempting to recreate the magic of its predecessor.
- Release Date: May 7, 2021
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
- Genre: Survival horror, Action
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 83 (PC), 81 (PS4), 84 (PS5), 83 (Xbox Series X)
6. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
This 2017 entry excited players and critics alike with its first-person perspective, as well as the introduction of new main character Ethan Winters. After receiving a message from his wife, who has been missing and presumed dead for years, Ethan makes his way to Louisiana to search for her. There, he encounters what can only be described as the "Resident Evil" franchise's take on "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" in the form of the Baker family.
For many, "Resident Evil: Biohazard" was a perfect marriage of new gameplay elements and classic tension and suspense, not to mention a heaping helping of chilling body horror (Marguerite Baker's boss fight, anyone?). EGM referred to it as "easily the best game the series has seen in years."
- Release Date: January 24, 2017
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Amazon Luna, Google Stadia
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 83 (PC), 86 (PlayStation 4), 86 (Xbox One)
5. Resident Evil 2 (1998)
In spite of a rocky development process — which included Tokuro Fujiwara's exit from Capcom and a version of the game that was half-finished and then thrown out — "Resident Evil 2" was successfully released two years after the original game. The sequel, which takes place two months after the events of "Resident Evil," introduced two new playable characters: police officer Leon Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield, who is searching for her lost brother. The two must make their way out of Raccoon City after a biological weapon transforms its people into murderous zombies.
Though "Resident Evil" was a pretty tough act to follow, "Resident Evil 2" received a great deal of critical praise, with many finding it to be better than the original. Absolute PlayStation's review of the game stated: "In every conceivable category, this game outclasses and outshines its predecessor by a wide margin. Gotta love it."
- Release Date: Jan. 21, 1998
- Available On: PC, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Sega Dreamcast, Game.com
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 89 (PC), 89 (PlayStation), 91 (PS4), 89 (Nintendo 64), 93 (Xbox One)
4. Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Given the popularity of the remakes of "Resident Evil 2" and "RE3," fans of the series eagerly awaited the remake of "Resident Evil 4." After all, "RE4" is already being considered one of the best games in the series, so the new version seemed like an instant recipe for success. As expected, come March 2023, the "Resident Evil 4" remake was released to praise from fans and critics alike. Like the other remakes, "Resident Evil 4" largely reimagined the entire experience of the cult classic game, keeping everything that worked and yet streamlining the campaign into a new experience, all while adding tons of small details for hardcore fans. The newer "RE4" boasts beautiful graphical updates, some much-needed quality-of-life improvements (like the parry ability), and expertly retells a story that fans already loved.
Although the original is still a landmark moment in gaming, some fans now believe that the remake is the definitive way to experience the game. For many, the improvements to combat and the enriched character arcs, for Luis and Ashley make for a more enjoyable experience overall. Although some elements of the original's quirky humor are lost, the remake more than makes up for this with new side-quests, weaponry, and a somehow-scarier take on the Regenerador enemies.
- Release Date: Jan. 21, 1998
- Available On: iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
- Genre: Survival horror
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 91 (PC), 93 (PlayStation 5), 91 (Xbox Series X)
3. Resident Evil 2 (2020)
This remake of the beloved "Resident Evil 2" released on 2019 to universal acclaim and greater sales than the original. Not only did the remake polish the graphics of the original, but it incorporated modern mechanics and reimagined the classic visuals into something immersive and frightening.
Polygon's Michael McWhertor referred to the game as "everything a video game remake should be." McWhertor also praised the new third-person view and the claustrophobic police station setting for the game, calling it "beautifully, gruesomely realized ... all very realistic-looking." This remake set the bar for revamps to come, with DualShockers calling it the best remake of all time, praising the decision to drop some of the sillier aspects of the original's plot and monster design. This game's triumph made it almost impossible for the following year's "Resident Evil 3" to compete.
2. Resident Evil (2002)
Six years after the 1996 original, a remake of "Resident Evil" was released for (at the time) brand new GameCube. This reimagined version refreshed the graphics and added defensive weapons, story details, and new areas to explore. New players were introduced to Raccoon City and the horrors surrounding it, and existing fans were able to see the beloved game brought into the 21st century. Though the GameCube sales did not meet expectations, reviews for the remake were glowing. This would lead to an HD re-release of the game, which would go on to break sales records in coming years.
IGN was blown away by the game's many alternate endings and gorgeous visuals, as well as the multiple control scheme options for new and veteran players. Meanwhile, Maxim Online highlighted the impact of the remake, stating, "With better effects and slicker motion-capture animation, the new, improved 'Resident Evil' regains the throne as horror-action video game king."
1. Resident Evil 4
This installment in the "Resident Evil" franchise is often considered the best in the series, and for good reason. This third-person shooter changed up the series' formula in huge ways, allowing players to control special agent Leon S. Kennedy as he embarks on a mission to rescue the President's daughter from a terrifying cult. Kennedy travels to rural Spain, where he encounters an infectious, mind-controlling parasite.
Game Informer's glowing review for the game read: "There are no flaws in 'Resident Evil 4.' It is the greatest horror game to date. I never thought that a game, or a movie for that matter, could deliver pulse-pounding action in such an awe-inspiring way." With such high praise, it's no wonder the game has since found its way to a zillion different platforms through later ports, including a critically acclaimed VR release in 2021. This is one horrifying installment that players can't get enough of.
- Release Date: Jan. 11, 2005
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile, Oculus Quest 2
- Genre: Action-Adventure, Survival horror, Third-person shooter, VR (Oculus Quest 2 only)
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Metacritic Score: 96 (PS2), 82 (PS4), 80 (Switch), 96 (GameCube), 91 (Wii), 76 (Xbox One)