Summary
TheResident Evilfranchise has been around for many decades, pulling scores of fans with its terrifying games, horrific monsters, and the legacy characters that often pop up throughout the series. Even years after its debut, there may be new fans ready to enter the survival horror genre, but they should definitely consider their starting point.
Taking into consideration that the first game is almost thirty years old, newer games might be put off by the aged controls and graphics, but there are newer titles that might not give a complete picture as to whatResident Evilis truly about. Thus, these games are the ones new fans should check out to truly experience the series.
One of the most remade games of all time, the firstResident Evilhas been modernized, given better graphics, some new content, and made readily available for newer hardware to introduce new players to a classic survival horror game.
Playing as Jill or Chris, players are forced into a mysterious mansion after a pack of rabid dogs chase them over the threshold, only to find that the place they sought shelter might be even more dangerous. With more modern gameplay, despite players being unable to move and shoot at the same time, this is a great way to experience the first game, and a great place to enter the franchise, as it is truly one of the scariest games in the series, and introduces key characters such as the aforementioned duo, as well as famed villain Albert Wesker.
ManyResident Evilveterans turn their nose away at the mere mention ofResident Evil 5, which is somewhat of a fair reaction. It is hardly the best game in the series, and was influenced by the influx of action movies at the time. But those willing to look past its flaws, and gather a friend to play alongside them, will find a solid, fun co-op shooter game.
Chris from the first game makes a reappearance, looking to apprehend Irving before he can sell the BOWs to no doubt unscrupulous people. Aided by local agent Sheva, the duo uncover a far bigger conspiracy here, one that involves the best villain of all time: Wesker.Resident Evil 5is truly where he shines, as he sports a killer outfit, shades, and a sassy attitude players can’t help but love. If for no other reason, players should giveResident Evil 5a shot just for Wesker’s swansong.
Capcom has been hard at work over the past years, recreating some of the older titles in their newer engine to modernize them for today’s audience. While die-hard fans will defend the original versions, most fans can agree that the remakes are all great successes, improving upon almost everything.Resident Evil 2is just one of the most successful games.
Claire, Leon, RPD, Mr. X, and more monsters than one can shake a T-Virus sample at, 2019’sResident Evil 2blends horror and combat. The locations and the creatures that populate them are terrifying, but the gameplay is fun and responsive, and there are some meaty boss fights to contend with, such as Birkin and Mr. X himself.
Arguably, theResident Evil 3remake is not making anyone’s top tenResident Evillist, at least not those who have played the original, but it’s not a game that should be disqualified immediately, especially for newcomers to the series. It is more easily available to purchase, and much more forgiving to play. And gamers can always go right back to the original once they feel more confident and have managed to track down a copy.
Cut content aside,Resident Evil 3’smore action-focused gameplayis a lot more beginner-friendly than the tank control stop-and-shoot games of yore, taking into consideration that those gameplay mechanics are a thing of the past now. This way, the new fans get to check back in with Jill after the first game to see what she’s been up to since the mansion incident, and witness her struggles during the destruction of Raccoon City.
From Raccoon City to a remote Spanish village, theResident Evilseries sure takes its players to some pretty interesting places. InResident Evil 7, they are taken to the backwaters of Louisiana, far out in the sticks away from people and civilization. Here, Ethan is searching for his wife Mia who went missing three years ago, and has since fallen into the clutches of the Baker family, driven mad by Eveline’s gifts.
Resident Evil 7was a celebrated release, as it marked a return to survival horror, which is what this franchise is known and loved for. Intense, atmospheric, and injected with plenty ofsouthern gothic horror, this game is a must-experience for anyResident Evilfan, old or new. Ethan Winters is a brilliant new protagonist who is definitely out of his depth, making him instantly relatable, and every tangle with the Bakers is uniquely terrifying.
Naturally, the next game to play after finishingResident Evil 7would beResident Evil Village, which is a direct sequel. Settling down in Romania to try and return to normalcy, Ethan’s life is once again turned upside-down when another member of his immediate family is kidnapped, this time his infant daughter Rosemary. Chasing down her kidnappers, Ethan finds himself in a beautiful yet remote snow-swept village that cowers under the terror of the lycans and the Four Lords, who each hold a piece of his daughter.
Following similar gameplay to its predecessor, those who enjoyed7will probably enjoyVillage, as they have more Ethan, morefirst-person gameplay, but this time new monsters and a new objective. Each of the Four Lords provides a completely different experience, such as Beneviento’s house of illusions, and Lady Dimitrescu’s relentless pursuit of Ethan through the castle. As such, there is something here for every horror fan.
For the longest time,Resident Evil 4was thought of as the best game in the series. It was cheesy, action-packed, and Leon’s characterization was just brilliant. Overall, just a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And then in 2023, the remake was released, and most gamers dropped the original in favor of this new, shiny toy. It was a marked improvement in almost every way. The characters were better written, the atmosphere was moodier, and the gameplay was better, not hampered by age.
As such, it is an accessible game to newREfans, readily available on this generation of consoles and PC, and Leon handily narrates the events of his experiences in the series so that players are all caught up. It is truly the best way to experienceResident Evil 4, and shows Leon in his absolute prime, slightly jaded but not too edgy, still throwing outhis iconic bingo line.
