#TheAgenda: Getting Into Resident Evil

Dave is one of the most genuine and nice people I’ve ever met. He’s also a walking encyclopedia on just about everything comics and Capcom related. I’ve really anticipated getting him on the site, since he was so kind enough to host me twice on his site, ComfortFoodComics.What he’s put together here is amazing, I hope you enjoy. And without further delay…..

-E

So, you want to get into the Resident Evil games huh? Either you’re here as someone who has missed the boat, always been too frightened to try, are intrigued by the new live action film, or you just want to be prepared for 8, aka Village, which just came out so the giant lady can step on you. Your boy Dave Shevlin is here to help you. If there’s one thing I love more than most and can be called an expert on, it’s Capcom. Capcom is the Japanese video game company that makes such beloved hits as Street Fighter, Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry and of course Resident Evil, the survival horror megahit series that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. I adore this series and besides Street Fighter and King of Fighters, it is my favorite video game franchise ever.

Titled Biohazard in Japan, this series originated the genre of “survival horror” which is a subgenre of the usual horror action game type that focuses on a lack of player power that only ever slightly increases, deemphasized combat, meticulous inventory management, puzzles, and a general feeling of isolation set within some moody atmospheric settings that provoke anxiety at all times. Originally starting off as slow moving, methodical games utilizing archaic “tank controls” (Pressing up moves the character in the direction they face, down reverses them, and left and right rotates them, like a tank, hence the name.), the series has changed and morphed into horror tinged action through the years. Running for so long, the series has had numerous “from the ground up” reinventions that has allowed it to stay relevant and strong to this day. Main games, remakes, side stories, a billion ports and enhancements. I am here to help make sense of everything out there and point you in the right direction.

Resident Evil is special. It’s something near and dear to me. I can remember hearing blood curdling stories from other kids at school growing up about the horrors that plagued the Spencer Mansion or the streets of Raccoon City. The games had an almost legendary status in my head and I wasn’t even playing them. Too damn scary for this soft, sensitive little boy. Eventually as a teen I gained a little more courage. I can remember the turning point, clear as day, me and my family were all together for my Mom’s graduation from going back to college as an adult. I was chatting with a pair of uncles, real oldheads that had always been dialed into video games from the very start. They were raving about this new game on the Nintendo GameCube where a guy gets his head sliced clean off with a chainsaw. They went on and on about how gruesome the action sequences were but also how amazing the actual game was. This was Resident Evil 4. I didn’t have a GameCube at the time and my childhood fear was screaming in the back of my mind but I remember being absolutely entranced by their description of this must play game. Later on, by happenstance I ended up with the first Resident Evil novel (more on those at the end of this piece) and it was over for me. I was hooked hard into this world of spooky bioweapon madness. Me and my best friend at the time both just lept in head first into the franchise, playing every old game we could get at the time, buying any merch, and devouring as much of the lore we could from books and the internet. Fast forward to October 25, 2005 and just in time for Halloween, I FINALLY was able to play that game my uncles raved about as the Playstation 2 port of RE4 dropped. It’s corny but I can fully say that game changed my life as I knew it. It’s 16 years later and that game still remains just about my all time favorite. The franchise has ebbed and flowed considerably since then but I’ve been rabidly on board for every single bit of it since, somehow finding myself loving it all more every single day that passes.

So what I’m aiming to do here is go through every game in the series and tell you a little bit about all of them and if they’ll appeal to you, the best way to play them, if they’re worth playing, and try to give you easy entry points for the franchise along the way. I want everybody to feel that unique love I feel for the series. WARNING: some slight story spoilers will be discussed as I give a bit of the plot of each one.

The Mainline Games:

You can play it on: Gamecube, Wii, PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch

Resident Evil 0 (2002):

First up is RE0 which is a prequel to the original game. The plot of this one is you play as RE1 support character Rebecca Chambers and escaped convict Billy Coen as they meet up in the Arklay Mountains and have a heretofore unknown adventure that leads to the events of the original game. Originally in development as a Nintendo 64 game, it eventually came out for the Nintendo Gamecube. Let me be real with y’all, this is my least favorite mainline Resident Evil game. It is maddeningly frustrating and old fashioned. The inventory management system is atrocious and you’ll often find yourself having to drop items at random points to make room over and over again. The story barely makes sense to tie in and the gameplay is practically meant to make you suffer. This is the easiest RE game to skip altogether. In 2016, an HD Remaster with some new features was released. I only recommend this one after you’ve finished the Resident Evil 1 Remake and only then if you’re a diehard fan who wants to experience every game.

You’ll like it if you like: Spooky trains, monkeys, slugs or cute protag Rebecca Chambers. nn

Best version: The HD Remaster is the only way to play this one. The game LOOKS gorgeous here as everything is upscaled and touched up. Audio is improved. New extras such as costumes and a Wesker Mode where you can play as series villain Albert Wesker instead of 0’s Billy are also added in. The most important addition in these HD Remasters is the option to abandon the series’ old “tank controls” for a more modern playstyle which is a godsend.

You Can Play It On: PS1, PC, Sega Saturn, Nintendo DS, PS3, PSP, PS Vita

Resident Evil (1996):

The original nightmare!! This one has you play as either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, members of an elite task force known as S.T.A.R.S. as you investigate the disappearance of your squadmates on the outskirts of Raccoon City in the Arklay Mountains. Eventually you find yourself in a mysterious mansion full of unspeakable horrors with a secret connection to the major pharmaceutical company, the Umbrella Corporation. One of gaming’s biggest hits and most formative titles. Oozing with mystery, atmosphere and things never done before in gaming, this is pure Playstation 1 era gold. Not only did it spawn its own subgenre of horror games with “Survival Horror” but it also repopularized zombie media in the late 90’s and became a cultural phenomenon. I was a kid when this released and even seeing the artwork in old game magazines was enough to give you nightmares for days. Talk to anyone that played it and you’ll be sure to hear a frightening tale of when they saw the first zombie you encounter or when one of the zombie dog enemies, the Cerberus, breaks through a glass window and attacks. Looking back now, it is a hilariously cheesy game full of some of the worst voice acting of all time, extreme difficulty, clunky controls, and a mass of different, uncooked game ideas thrown together during a time when the hardware just couldn’t match up with what the creators wanted, but that only adds to its singular charm. Resident Evil often gets overlooked when it comes to “cinematic” video games, but the storytelling and structure within this game are unparalleled and it is easy to draw a line from this one to where games are today as art. I love this one dearly. In 1997, The Director’s Cut of the game came out which had several changes such as adding a switch-up “Arrange Mode” and the godsend auto-aim feature missing in the original as well as other features. In 1998, a third version came out titled The Director’s Cut Dualshock Version which added support for the Dualshock controller controls and rumble, but also included a new soundtrack which is positively abysmal. In 2006, a Nintendo DS port was released featuring all manner of DS exclusive features.

You’ll like it if you like: 70’s, 80’s, 90’s B-movie horror flicks. The movie or NES game Sweet Home (of which Resident Evil is majorly based on). The “Alone in the Dark” games. Zombies. Hilarious, iconic voice acting. Haunted houses. Science fiction horror. Monsters.

Best Version: As much as I truly adore the OG version, the best pick is Deadly Silence on the DS. It’s the perfect version of the game with many little extras. The real draw here is a super handy permanent map on the DS’ top screen as well as ammo and health levels, which makes navigating this game much easier. Better controls, new movement, new costumes, charming touch screen extras and a dedicated knife button REALLY make this one something special. There’s also a “Rebirth Mode” which basically gives you a brand new remix of the original with first person stylus knife battles and all types of unique DS control puzzles.

You can play it on: Gamecube, Wii, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch

Resident Evil - REmake (2002):

THIS IS THE FIRST GREAT STARTING POINT FOR NEWCOMERS!! Originally released on the Nintendo Gamecube, this one sees Shinji Mikami, the creator of the original Resident Evil, return to remake the first game for then modern audiences. This is quite simply, one of the greatest games of all time. The graphics, the effects, the sound design, the improvements all make this one of the most impressive games ever put together. It exceeded all expectations. I struggle to think of any game that has such moody atmosphere, setting and art design. It’s a visual masterpiece. It’s incredibly immersive and absolutely terrifying. Again you play as Jill or Chris in a slightly different retelling of the original plot. In 2015, an HD Remaster version was released with an alternate more modern control style option.

You’ll like it if you like: Horror movies. Reinterpretations. Bloodborne and other video games that thrive on creating a suffocating atmosphere and world. Video games as art. Julia Voth

Best Version: The HD Remaster on anything besides Switch(this version has longer loading times). Being able to discard tank controls and having the highest visual fidelity for such a gorgeous game makes this edition the must play version.

You can play it on: PS1, PS3, PSP, PS Vita, PC, Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast, Gamecube

Resident Evil 2 (1998):

Another PS1 masterpiece!! This one was developed by future superstar Hideki Kamiya in his first time being Director of a project under the supervision of RE1 Director Shinji Mikami. Rather famously, this game was about 70% complete before they scrapped it after internal reviews and Super Sentai and Kamen Rider writer, Noboru Sugimura, being brought in to play it and give his thoughts on the story. That abandoned game is referred to as Resident Evil 1.5. Thankfully, it was the right call as the team along with Sugimura, now hired by Capcom to help with the game scenario, ended up giving us this gem after they went back to the drawing board. Gone are the cramped, suffocating hallways of the Spencer Mansion of RE 1 and in their place is the entirety of Raccoon City and the labyrinthine Racoon City Police Department building. You play as rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy as he arrives for his first day on the job and as Claire Redfield, in search of her older brother, RE1’s protagonist Chris Redfield. The game is famous for its option to play as Leon and then Claire for the full story or vice versa which utilized the “Zapping System”. This was essentially different gameplay changes that could occur in the second scenario depending on the choices you made in the first run through with either character. This game features some of the most famous creatures in the mutated G-Monster and Mr. X, the silent stalking Tyrant unit. I feel this one also has the best soundtrack of any RE game as well as impeccable audio design. This game, just like RE , eventually got a Dualshock Version rerelease as well as an extremely unique and unbelievable Nintendo 64 port.

You’ll like it if you like: Action movie sequels like Aliens or Terminator 2. Horror, sci-fi, or spy movies. The 90’s. Museums turned into Police Departments. Massive urban environment exploration. Monsters. Alyson Court’s voice acting.

Best Version: This is a tough choice for me. The Sega Dreamcast version is objectively the best as it runs at 60 fps, has small extras and you can see your life bar on the VMU when plugged into the controller but my PERSONAL pick is the Nintendo 64 port. This version gives you a modern control scheme to use with the N64’s joystick which frees you from tank controls. You also get a remix mode, violence and blood options, new costumes, and new in-game story documents. The downside is most visuals and audio are downgraded to fit on the cartridge and the entire game’s soundtrack was redone for this version which also suffers a serious downgrade. I find it to be negligible though as a trade for a vastly preferred control scheme. This version is the one I always replay.

You can play it on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC

Resident Evil 2 - REmake (2019):

THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT ENTRY POINT AND THE BEST WAY TO GET INTO THE SERIES FOR MODERN GAMERS!! Another REmake for the series. This is a blisteringly amazing ground up reinvention of the old PS1 classic with a modern over the shoulder action vibe. This features some of the most realistic and horrifying gore ever in a video game. The masterful blend of action and scares is the biggest chef’s kiss. The story is largely the same but with some more modern takes and colorful dialogue and the same alternate scenario zapping system mechanics, albeit with less differences this time. Mr. X, the Tyrant who would pop up to fight you in the original returns here as an undying stalker that will constantly follow you around the Police Department in certain areas. It makes for one of the most memorable sequences in a video game ever. This game also features some of the most innovative sound design ever done in the industry. I fully rec wearing headphones and using the Binaural audio option. You’ll feel like a zombie is right behind you! This one SHOCKINGLY exceeded all my expectations as well and stands as one of the best major releases of the past few years.

You’ll like it if you like: Gore. Blood. Juicy, rotten viscera. Action Horror. Dark hallways. A presence that is always after you. Spunky girls. Pretty boys. The perfect burger. Well done audio.

Best Version: I’d rec the PC version as you can play with the settings to get the game looking how you want and running how you want. That being said every single version has very minor differences and you’d be good with any choice as long as you aren’t on a base model PS4 or Xbox One. Of all 4 last gen console options, Xbox One X is the best to run it on.

You can play it on: PS1, Sega Dreamcast, Gamecube, PS3, PSP, PS Vita, PC

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999):

Nemesis!! This time around, the European branch of the sinister Umbrella Corporation have bonded a Nemesis parasite to one of their hunter killer Tyrants and sent it out to exterminate any remaining member of S.T.A.R.S. team. Jill Valentine, preparing to leave Raccoon City, is ambushed by not only the T-Virus outbreak but also the Nemesis. It’s up to you to help her make it out alive as this unstoppable, monstrous force constantly chases after her. I don’t think any game has ever given me so much anxiety. Any sense of freedom, of exploration, any moment to stop and breathe even for a second is stolen from you by this overwhelming monster. As iconic and novel as the Nemesis is, I also feel like he takes over the entire game and brings down the overall quality. The game still has a lot going for it, like the new dodge mechanic Jill ends up being able to use but for the most part this game isn’t as good as its predecessors. Originally, this game was developed as a side story and not a main numbered title but Jill was put in as the protagonist and it was prioritized when the main RE team needed more time to develop Resident Evil 4 for the upcoming Playstation 2. The side story elements really shine through as the game is comparatively short, takes place during the events of Resident Evil 2 using the same game engine and doesn’t do much to further the overall series narrative. It’s good, but it’s not great and besides the Nemesis, who gets old fast, it doesn’t hold the same charm or wonder that the previous two games have. It is very much the snack amidst the full course meals of the rest of the franchise.

You’ll like it if you like: Never feeling safe. Like ever. Not even for a second. Miniskirts and tube tops. Barrel roll quick dodges. Clock towers. Chemistry and medicine. Urban city devastation and horror. Shorter games. Russian men.

Best Version: I go with the Gamecube version. It has the best visuals and performance but more importantly fixes the constant polygonal “shaking” that exists for the models in the otherwise pretty great PC and Dreamcast port. This port is the only time that has been fixed.

Resident Evil 3 REmake (2020):

Following hot on the heels of the RE 2 REmake, we have yet another modern day reinvention. When this one was released it got a lot of flack for its short length, cut content and new interpretation of the Nemesis compared to the original. These are all factually true criticisms, but they shouldn’t stop you from finding this one now at a cheaper price and playing it. I personally had an absolute ball with this one and I felt the shorter length matched the original and was a welcome thing amidst this 50+ hour standard game era we live in. This is one of the most replayable games just like its predecessor because you can unlock a whole bunch of game changing equipment to run through it over and over again. In the end, even though some locations and sequences are cut, this game does a really great job updating the story and giving some amazing characterization to Jill and the supporting cast, particularly Carlos Oliviera, who you play as for a bit. They could have done so much more with the Nemesis but we do get some very memorable boss fights against him. A bonus to this one was the online multiplayer game Resident Evil: Resistance being packed in. You play as one of a group trying to collaboratively escape from a death trap or as the mastermind trying to murder and stop them all. It’s fun but never amazing.

You’ll like it if you like: Short games. Replayable games. Alternate costumes. Scripted sequences. Memorable boss fights. Action dodge gameplay. Tentacle monsters. Enemy raids.

Best Version: Again, I’d rec PC for this REmake so you can make it look or run however you want.

You can play it on: Dreamcast, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One. Xbox Series X.

Resident Evil - Code: Veronica (2000):

A non-numbered mainline series game that really should have gotten the number 3 in its name. This is a direct follow-up to 2 as the main character is once again Claire Redfield in search of her big bro Chris. During her search she ends up imprisoned on Rockfort Island and gets swept up in more Umbrella Corporation nonsense. This time it’s the Ashford Twins, descendants of one of the original Umbrella founding families and their research into the T-Veronica virus. Later on, Chris as well as the previously thought dead Albert Wesker return as every plotline coalesces into a final Antarctic showdown. As exciting as all that sounds, this game isn’t very good. Besides 0, I find this to be the least fun RE to play. This one features a new zapping system where you play as Chris in some of the same areas just at a later time. Unfortunately at many points during the game you may wind up playing as a character without the right weapons to actually advance, forcing you to reload an older save or worse, restart the game. It is one of the most infuriating things I’ve ever dealt with in a video game. In 2001, a new version of the game entitled Code: Veronica X came out for the PS2 but it didn’t fix any of these game breaking faults, it added about 10 minutes of cut scene material to further Wesker’s part in the overall narrative and some very minute graphical fixes. This game, although not great, still goes BIG with the story and further advances the series’ plotline in a very forward focused way, which I appreciate. I REALLY wish I could rec this one more but I lean towards skipping it.

You’ll like it if you like: Whiny Leo Dicaprio clones. Family bonds. Surprise resurrections. Golden cat eyes. Creepy island prison bases. Snowy, arctic settings. Crossdressing. The movie Psycho. Denim jeans.

Best Version: An HD Remaster version of X came out in 2011 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. This is absolutely the best version to play. It is backwards compatible for the Xbox One and Series X. I’d play it this way if you can. (Note: the PS4 version is just emulation of the PS2 version and NOT this Remastered edition.)

You can play it on: Gamecube, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC, Wii, Wii U

Resident Evil 4 (2005):

ANOTHER GREAT STARTING POINT!! Quite possibly my favorite video game of all time. This one finds Leon S. Kennedy, now a government agent, sent to retrieve the President’s daughter after she is kidnapped by a mysterious cult in Europe. The series’ main baddie, the Umbrella Corporation, has withered and died in between games and for the most part this is a stand alone story among the overall narrative. This game started as Resident Evil 3 when RE 2 Director Hideki Kamiya started making a new game for the upcoming PS2. His attempt however seemed to stray too far from what RE was and subsequently became its own franchise, Devil May Cry. After that, three different versions of this game were started on before we finally got to this completed version when original RE Director, Shinji Mikami took hold of the project. This game is a complete reinvention of the series as the claustrophobic, slow paced gameplay is changed to an over the shoulder action based horror instead. Gone are the zombies!! In their place we now have intelligent parasite controlled villagers, cultists, mercenaries and all types of monsters. This is the start of the entire series skewing more and more towards being less scary and more action packed. Technically the controls are still “tank controls” but this time they actually follow the camera and playing field for a very smooth, satisfying playstyle. RE 4’s gameplay template was adopted by so many games after it was released, it is impossible to truly describe how influential and groundbreaking this one was. The game was released on Gamecube but very quickly ported to the PS2 with extra game modes. Later on, a Nintendo Wii port also came out utilizing the Wiimote as the aiming reticle for your gun, making it an entirely new experience. Nearly everything about this game is perfect: the atmosphere, the setting, the characters, the monsters, the gameplay, the weapons and how they feel, the adaptive difficulty, the music, the sound design, the hilarious one liners, the perfect blend of cheese and serious storytelling. Nothing compares. I can’t express well enough in writing how much I adore this one. I play it annually and it is the ultimate comfort food for me. In October 2021, a VR remake of this game came out exclusively for the Oculus Quest 2. I of course had to buy it and I was so happy I did as it’s a STUNNING new way to experience this game like never before. I tend to get motion sickness just walking from the couch to the kitchen so I was extremely worried I wouldn’t even be able to run this thing but it features so many different playstyles and options to cater to anyone, even the very weak, like myself. I have now played nonstop for several hours with none of the usual VR headset problems. I’d even go so far to say it is my favorite VR video game. The level of comfort and wonder is just that high. You are completely immersed in the moody browns and greys of this gameworld, with all new ways of interactivity and action horror. Being able to see the game models and visuals up close and at these unique angles is a dream come true. I thought I was done being wowed by Resident Evil 4, but we now have a new distinct must play version of the oft ported 15+ year old masterpiece. It is the game that just keeps giving.

You’ll like it if you like: Video games. Amazing and atmospheric settings. Creepy villages. Woods. Islands. Great 80’s action movie lines. Parasites. Monsters. Dogs. Castles. Europe. Chainsaws. Firearms. “Ballistics”

Best Version: The best regular gameplay version is the 2014 Remastered port for PS4 and Xbox One. It looks the best, it plays the best, it is the best. But I can’t sit here and not mention the Nintendo Wii version. I recommend everyone try this version because it is so insanely fun using the Wiimote to aim your weapon with quick and easy precision to shoot at everything. The experience is completely different and in many ways superior to the original. I feel very much the same way about the 2021 VR release. While I’d never rec someone play this version for their first experience with the game, I would say it’s a must play for a second, complementary playthrough that will thrill and delight with the fresh reinterpretation. My advice? Play all three versions!!

Resident Evil 5 (2009):

The best co-op experience you can have with the RE series right here. This one takes the action game baton from RE 4 and cranks up the dial even more as you get a partner this time around, either a friend or the computer. Chris Redfield is back again, this time a member of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, sent to Kijuju, a fictional region of Africa to investigate a terrorist threat and team up with fellow agent Sheva Alomar. Along the way, the two must contend with recent past troubles Chris has dealt with including the loss of his partner Jill Valentine and the continued threat of Albert Wesker, this game’s main villain. I like this game but I dont love it. In the years since its release a lot of development information has come out about what this game was originally going to be like. I can’t help but be mad we ended up getting this much stranger, less innovative game with a very dumb story in comparison to the very intriguing Beta ideas they had in development. Not many things make sense, the end half is a slog, the environments and bosses don’t have any staying power, it all seems haphazardly stapled together and a lot of it is just content from RE 4 with a different coat of paint, specifically a hazy green coat of paint on everything. Even with all that though, it ends up being a very fun game if you just go with the flow. I’ve played this solo with the computer and I’ve played this with a couple different friends. As much as I think alone in the dark is how one should play the RE games, the superior experience for this one is grabbing a friend and running through it guns blazing. You will have a ball. It is a really solid action game to run and gun with a bud. In 2010, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition was released packaging in the excellent DLC story campaigns, the Versus Mode, new costumes and an expanded Mercenaries mode. This REALLY helped assuage my fanboy criticisms and made the entire package a must own guaranteeing at least something to enjoy for everyone. In 2016 a Remastered Edition came out for PS4 and Xbox One and in 2019 for the Nintendo Switch. This edition gave a wider view, graphical and performance updates and a new Mercs mode: The Mercenaries United. This is in my opinion, the pinnacle of the Mercenaries mode for all RE games. Fun fact: the Switch port added gyro motion control options for a new experience.

You’ll like it if you like: Co-op gameplay. Fast paced action games. Punching boulders. African settings. Bimbofication. Janky as hell ai companions. The Matrix. Tentacles. Railgun segments.

Best Version: I go with the PS4 version of the Remastered Edition. For some reason, the Xbox version tends to run just a little worse. Sadly, the Remastered versions don’t stay at 60 fps like the previous Gold Edition PC port, but as of this moment the Remastered Edition isn’t available on PC. For me the benefits of the Remastered Version beat the slight uptick in occasional performance you’d get playing the older version on a computer. The wider viewing mode makes things so much easier to see, the graphical and coloring updates are very welcome and as I said above you get the Mercenaries United - a bonus mode that could be sold as its own standalone release, it is that good.

You can play it on: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC

Resident Evil 6 (2012):

This is probably the hardest RE game to quantify an opinion on. I love it while simultaneously hating it. This is a big, dumb cinematic action clusterfuck. Everytime they do something good, they smack you with double the amount of mindbogglingly dumb decisions. There are FOUR separate intermingling campaigns to play in this one, three of which are co-op while Ada’s can be assigned a co-op partner if you so choose. Protagonists this time around are Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Ada Wong, a now older Sherry Birkin from RE 2, and newcomers Piers Nivans, Helena Harper, and Albert Wesker’s previously unknown son, Jake Muller. All playable, all with their own playstyle and weapon/accessory loadout. Each campaign is purposefully very different, from setting to playstyle to enemies. Whereas RE 4 and 5 strayed from horror, this one abandons it completely in favor of being a balls to the wall, constant moving action game. Some of the set pieces and boss fights are so hilariously dumb, I try to forget they ever happened. Here is the thing about RE 6: it is an incredible action game with one of the most unique engines and gameplay systems I’ve ever played. The action is fluid, kinetic and so smooth. It’s a joy to jump, leap, roll and shoot in this game. The only problem is it is a TERRIBLE Resident Evil game. The story goes from the charming stupidity to just straight up STUPID. A secret Illuminati family is revealed that runs the world and has orchestrated many of the events in the RE universe, the President of the United States is killed, large portions of China and the USA are completely destroyed, the villain turns into an enormous T-Rex and then a gargantuan fly, and the entire story revolves around the villain wanting to fuck Ada Wong SO MUCH he creates a biological weapon that turns his female scientist ally into a perfect replica of Ada and then they release this new virus that does whatever the story needs at any given time. I HATE IT!!! This game is Capcom taking the franchise way too seriously and jumping on every AAA gaming trend at the time and stuffing in as much as they could possibly fit. It’s an insane mess. If you come into this game expecting to have a good time as an RE fan, you are mistaken BUT if you come into it pretending it’s some generic action John Wick monster mash-up you can play with a bud, then you can def find some fun to be had. Unlike RE 0 and Code Veronica, I would say don’t skip this one. The best campaign is Ada Wong’s, which is also the shortest and most focused. What a CRAZY coincidence huh? The Jake/Sherry campaign, although filled with awful sections like finding jump drives in a mountain snowstorm, is also really fun and experimental due to both of them being superhumans in some way. The Mercenaries mode in this one is also a ton of fun to play around in and utilize the game without a story bogging it down. Fun fact again: the Switch port added gyro motion control options for a new experience as well as being the ONLY version of RE6 that lets you use the alternate costumes in campaign mode.

You’ll like it if you like: Very pretty action stars. Monster girls. Unbridled chaos. Big, stupid monsters. Simping villains. Action with no story. Great physical and firearm gameplay. Co-op. Dumb shit.

Best Version: PS4 Remastered Edition. Just like RE5 above, this version gives you a wider field of view that is only on these console Remasters and not the PC port. The graphical upgrades in 1080p really shine and there is ALMOST a constant 60 fps lock for performance. Again, for whatever reason the Xbox One version is just slightly worse.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017):

ANOTHER GREAT STARTING POINT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT TO PLAY RESIDENT EVIL 8: VILLAGE!!! Even though Resident Evil 6 was a massive financial success for Capcom, they felt they had sort of lost the thread and overall themes of what made Resident Evil special. That is where 7 came in. This is yet another from the ground up complete makeover. This one is first person, slow moving, terrifying return to exploration and horror while being barely related to the rest of the franchise. It’s a stunning change that the series needed to remain relevant and feel fresh again after we had such an emphasis placed on action first. I love this game. I think it’s one of the best of the entire series. It is also BY FAR the scariest game yet. This one finds new protag, Ethan Winters getting a message from his missing and presumed dead wife that leads him to an old abandoned mansion in a Louisiana swamp. Ethan is soon brutally attacked by his missing wife after he finds her in the basement and he is promptly attacked by Jack Baker, patriarch of this home. It is revealed the entire family is infected by some new bioweapon and Ethan must combat the deranged, monstrous family as well as new Molded sludge monster enemies as he tries to survive and escape the estate. This one is gross and grimy and will just properly mess you up. Some of the most memorable atmosphere and locations in the series.. Although the last bit of the game eschews the new direction and gets a bit more action oriented, the game as a whole is just such a good one. Jack Baker takes on a role similar to Mr. X and the Nemesis for a portion of the game and his memorable encounters are what I will remember most about this game. This game also introduced the RE Engine, a brand new engine to create and run games in that Capcom developed and debuted here. The RE Engine is extremely impressive with some of the best visuals you’ll find in gaming. This game was Playstation VR compatible, which is fun and spooky but it often made me sick.

You’ll like it if you like: Evil Dead. Texas Chainsaw Massacre. 70’s horror movies. The American South. Gross shit. Chainsaw duels. Insects. Sludge and goop. Moral decisions. Creepy old houses. Being terrified. Spooky little ghost girls.

Best Version: Snag the Gold Edition for PS4 or PS5. This gives you all of the DLC (which ranges from funny to meh to excellent) and the ability to experience the game in VR, something that is exclusive to Sony consoles.

Resident Evil Village aka 8 (2021):

The direct story followup to 7, you again enter the world of survival horror as Ethan Winters in another first person action adventure. Ethan, now in protective hiding in some faraway European country is thrust into another madcap romp full of terrifying twists and turns after his wife is murdered and his child is abducted by none other than series mainstay Chris Redfield……...or so it seems. The overlying theme of this game is nothing is quiiiiite what it appears to be. I absolutely loved this game. It brilliantly took everything that made 7 work so well and then filtered it through a prism of literally every other previous game, most notably 4. Four evil Lords with their own unique game hubs surround the titular Village, essentially the “main character” of the game so to speak, encompassing a game world that just drips and oozes with such unique atmosphere and charming homages. I truly feel this game is a celebration of all that came before it while also supplying a terrific modern AAA game that any newcomer can enjoy.

You’ll like it if you like: Any Resident Evil game, Silent Hill, Europe, Winter and snow, FemdomEmpire.com, Magneto from the X-Men, Captain Kidd from One Piece, Ventriloquist dummies, fishmen, parenthood, Mommy fetishes, Vampires, werewolves

Best Version: I’m going to go with the PS5 version. While there are extremely minute instances of performance taking a dip compared to the Series X, the PS5’s audio (PLAY WITH HEADPHONES!) blows the other versions away. It easily could be the most impressive game I’ve ever played audiowise. The PS5’s Dualsense controller also makes this the most immersive experience out of all versions. Every gun, every weapon actually feels different with changes to haptics and triggers unique to each part of your arsenal. I was EXTREMELY impressed by that small yet stunning use of the PS5’s unique new tech. I can’t imagine ever playing this game and having the same wonderful experience without using the Dualsense.

The Spin-offs:

So now we’re on to all the various side games. Some of these, mainly the Revelations series, are basically mainline games that I think everyone should play, while some others presented here are old relics or novelties that aren’t particularly necessary to track down.

Resident Evil Survivor (2000):

I don’t have much good to say about this one. Of all the RE games on this list, this is the worst one. This is a light gun shooting game that hilariously, when released in the US disabled the light gun functionality. So what we got was an excruciatingly bad game with some terrible controls. The plot of this one is you play as a man that crash lands on an Umbrella Corporation island and lose your memory. Identity shenanigans ensue as you meet two siblings, whose parents worked for Umbrella. A big new Tyrant is introduced in this one, the Hypnos Tyrant. All in all this is a terrible game. Skip it!

You’ll like it if you like: Tyrants. Resident Evil. Playing bad games.

Best Version: There is no “Best” version of this game. Only the one version is available and it sucks. Skip it.

Resident Evil Survivor 2 - Code: Veronica (2001):

This is the second light gun shooter game that was developed for arcades in Japan and ported to the Playstation 2. We never got this in America but it did get a European PAL release. I’ve played this one and while it’s better than Survivor 1, it’s still a pretty bad game. At least this retained the gun functionality. This one sees you playing as either Claire or Steve going through segments of Code: Veronica in timed shootout exploration. If you start spending too much time in a segment, surprisingly the Nemesis will be released and hunt you down. At the end of the game, everything is revealed to be a dream Claire is having after the events of Code: Veronica.

You’ll like it if you like: Code: Veronica. The Nemesis. Arcade shooting games.

Best Version: I’d have to guess the Arcade version is best but we don;t have access to that so the PAL PS2 it is. Again, skip this game.

Resident Evil: Dead Aim (2003):

Finally we’re getting somewhere with these light gun Resident Evil games. This one ends up being an experimental and impressive blend of the usual third person exploration with first person light gun shooting. It’s not a particularly great light gun shooter game or a very good Resident Evil game but somehow the attempt here works out pretty well. The controls are a lot smoother and responsive and you actually WANT to keep playing this one. The plot is also pretty great as you take control of Bruce McGivern, a member of USSTRATCOM's "Anti-Umbrella Pursuit Investigation Team” and Fong Ling of the Chinese M.S.S. on board a massive cruiseliner where a T-Virus outbreak has happened. It’s just the type of cheesy action you want from an RE game. In addition to being able to be played with a light gun you also could use compatible PS2 mouse controls. This one also features monsters that are a unique blend of the T and G-Viruses. All this being said, it is still only a mediocre game with a fun blend of novelties. It is nowhere near being a must play and I’d advise y’all to not pay too much attention to it.

You’ll like it if you like: Under Siege. Boats. Unique Monsters. Big mutations. Ladies Man hard boiled protagonists. Sexy spy ladies. Light gun games.

Best Version: Just PS2 for this one.

Resident Evil: Gaiden (2002):

A top down action adventure game that shifts into first person mode when in combat. This is a weird, bad game that isn’t part of the actual series’ canon. This one finds Leon S. Kennedy sent aboard a ship to stop a bioweapon. Later on RE 1 side character, Barry Burton is called in to investigate when Leon becomes unresponsive. The plot largely concerns a B.O.W. that can mimic someone else. This game isn’t very fun at all and never really works. My advice is to do what Capcom does with this one, ignore it completely.

You’ll like it if you like: The Thing. Boats. Barry Burton. Monsters. Portable games.
Best Version: Just the one version for this game.

Resident Evil Outbreak (2004):

The first of Capcom’s attempts to make a multiplayer online Resident Evil. This one was fun but I never played too much of it. You control one of 8 characters in Racoon City during the events of RE 2 & 3. The game had five different scenarios to play with AI or online partners with certain checklist items that needed to be completed to move on. While fun, this game was for me at least a nightmare to play with AI and had a very strange ad-lib system rather than voice chat. Basically you’d walk up to another player and issue one of the listed commands or requests. You could try to pick this one up and run through it with AI companions but I can’t imagine you’d have much fun. A lot of questionable ideas in this one. Sadly, all the official servers shut down.

You’ll like it if you like: Co-op gameplay. AI companions who barely work. Puzzles. Leeches. More story set in Raccoon City.

Best Version: Just the PS2

Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2 (2005):

A sequel to the previous Outbreak game, this features the same playable characters and the overall same style of game but with five new scenarios to play through. The “ad-lib” system was also changed in this one to instead of talking to companions and issuing requests you’d use the right analog stick to communicate. This shit was CLUNKY. I can’t tell you how many times I’d have my character say “Help me!” only immediately for an AI companion to shout “No!” Consequently I never had a lot of fun playing this one solo. The multiplayer online was more fun when I could get a good connection though. All in all I really appreciate what this game was trying to be and think it is the best side online multiplayer game in the series. It had really solid story ideas and settings with creative enemies in each scenario. This was definitely one of those games where if you got the hang of the controls, had the right online friend group and a really nice internet connection during those dial up days, you’d LOVE this game. I never had all those ingredients at once so I never joined the rabid cult following this game has. It does have an absolutely amazing scenario that takes place in the Raccoon City Zoo with a zombified elephant and that remains one of my top Resident Evil memories. Sadly, all the official servers shut down.

You’ll like it if you like: Cabin in the Woods. Online co-op. Zombie animals. Fleas. Raccoon City. Puzzles. AI companions who barely work.

Best Version: Only PS2 for this one.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (2007):

Oh baby, this game rules. We’re back to light gun games but they’ve finally figured it out as this came out for the Nintendo Wii and uses the Wiimote as the gun with amazing gameplay.. I have an absolute ball with this one. You can play as Rebecca Chambers, Billy Coen, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Carlos Oliveira, Albert Wesker, Ada Wong, Richard Aiken, and Hunk in scenarios that cover the events of RE0, 1, 3 and new events that pertain to the downfall of the Umbrella Corporation. The main throughline is the story of Wesker and his battle against another Umbrella figure, Sergei Vladimir behind the scenes all culminating in the climax. This subseries is the most fun I’ve ever had at home playing an on-rails, light gun type game. This game and its sequel were packaged together and sold as the Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection with the option to use the Playstation Move motion controls as well.

You’ll like it if you like: House of the Dead. Arcade shooting games. Quick, easy ways to experience the RE story. More info on the demise of Umbrella. Russian villains with bizarre hair. More Tyrants.

Best Version: There is no contest here - go with the Wii version. The Playstation Move was a colossal failed experiment and the joy and ease of playing this game is sucked away playing it on the PS3

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles:

A sequel to The Umbrella Chronicles, this is yet another on-rails, light gun game but with slight gameplay changes refining and improving the overall experience. This is another really great game. This time around the scenarios are the events of RE 2 and Code: Veronica, as well as a brand new story set between RE2 and RE4 showing how Leon and Jack Krauser from RE 4 met. They team up to deal with a viral outbreak in South America. A hidden scenario is all about Krauser, showing how he got injured and left the US government all with his narration. This version of Code: Veronica is the way I prefer experiencing that game and I highly rec it to all of you too. I absolutely LOVE we get the additional history of Leon as a government agent and his time knowing Krauser detailed here.

You’ll like it if you like: History of the RE series. The best way to play Code: Veronica. Arcade gun games. South American drug lord villains. Jack Krauser.

Best Version: Just like its predecessor, the Wii version is the only way to go.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (2011):

The Mercenaries, the usual bonus mode included as an extra in most of the major games gets its own standalone game here on the 3DS. Is it worth it though? No, not even when it was a new release for $40. You can play as Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Albert Wesker, Claire Redfield, Jack Krauser, Barry Burton, Rebecca Chambers and HUNK all in maps from Resident Evil 4 and 5. The main progression for this version is replaying to unlock skills you can equip to the characters. All in all, the game kind of sucks. Sure, it’s a portable Mercs mode, but the graphics, gameplay and maps all suffer some serious downgrade with glitches aplenty. The controls are extremely clunky even with this game allowing the characters to move while aiming for the first time here. There was co-op but only for about half of the available stages and obviously no voice chat. Also, hilariously, you could not delete save data off of the cartridge in a rather baffling dick move from Capcom. Save yourself the time, this version isn’t worth it even from a novelty perspective. Pick up the Remastered RE 5 and just play The Mercenaries United there.

You’ll like it if you like: The Mercenaries. Resident Evil 4. Resident Evil 5. 3DS Controls. Portable games. Claire Redfield as a playable character.

Best Version: Just the one and only version to play.

You can play it on: Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Switch, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC

Resident Evil Revelations (2012):

Ok so the Revelations games are basically BIG DEAL, story important games that Capcom can release in between the numbered games. Truthfully, I consider them mainline games that everyone needs to play when taking on the whole franchise. This first one was developed as a big budget game running on Capcom’s AAA MT Framework Engine and then downsized to fit on the Nintendo 3DS. Set between RE4 and RE5, this game sees you play as Jill Valentine and many more BSAA agents as you try to stop a terrorist threat on a large cruise liner threatening to release a virus into the ocean. Along the way you play various flashback or side missions that vary in gameplay. The game is broken down into bite sized missions that advance the story with “Previously On..” recaps everytime you start a new one. All in all, this is a really good game with some obvious problems. There is a ton of experimentation not only structurally but also gameplay factors like the AI co-op partners, a new device called the Genesis that allows you to scan and find items and secrets in every room, as well as the new bonus game - Raid Mode, an almost rogue-like, randomly generated challenge mode that featured co-op gameplay. This is one of the few 3DS games that the 3D functionality was made for and it really enhances the experience. Motion controls as well as some other neat little 3DS functionality was also baked in such as displaying a map and weapons on the lower 3DS screen which was a nice touch. I personally really enjoy the boat setting. It is extremely creepy and atmospheric and this is the most “Metroidvania” an RE game ever gets. All of the enemies are water themed, which produces some really interesting new takes on what makes an RE monster, although in several cases I wish they went a little further with it. In 2013, an HD version was released for all the main home consoles and computer in a port that removed the 3D and portable screen functions for improved graphics and performance.

You’ll like it if you like: Under Siege. Boats. Aquatic themed villains. Conan O’ Brien. Girls with hair covering their eyes. Mission based games.

Best Version: This is probably the hardest one on the list to nail down to a best version. As I’ve said you get all the 3DS exclusive functions if you play it there. . Similar double touch screen functions with the HD graphics are available on the Wii U HD version. All HD versions contain all the DLC packaged in. Playing it on the PC, PS4 or Xbox One you’ll get as close to constant 60 fps performance as it allows as well as the best visual experience. And lastly my recommendation: the Nintendo Switch version. This one tries its damndest to always run at 60 fps, has motion gyro controls, the button layout and controls work best over any version, Amiibo support, and runs great in both docked and handheld mode.

You can play it on: PS3, PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One,Xbox Series X, PC, Switch

Resident Evil Revelations 2 (2015):

One of the best games in the entire series! Set between RE5 and RE6, this one finds you playing as either Clarie Redfield, Barry Burton, Barry’s daughter Moira, or Natalia Korda, a little girl with powers. Claire and Moira are abducted and taken to a remote island where people are tortured and experimented on by an all-seeing mysterious Overseer. Eventually Barry Burton comes to the island to save them, teaming up with Natalia. This game was Episodic and had 4 main story episodes and 2 bonus ones that were released after. The basic gist of this game is that it’s a blend of The Last of Us and Resident Evil. You craft things and explore desolate areas while fighting monsters with a younger partner. It REALLY works well. The game sometimes gets a little too edgy and gross, but for the most part blends the cheese and horror together in an excellent, discomforting manner. Raid Mode returns in this game and gets a massive overhaul and boost, becoming the BEST bonus game in RE history. 200 missions with 15 playable characters from the entire series, as well as new scenarios and enemies from Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil: Revelations. It’s insane!! You may find yourself running through Raid Mode unlocking credits, costumes, weapons and characters for more than double the amount of time you played the episodes. The main campaign is local co-op while Raid Mode is local and online co-op.

You’ll like it if you like: The Last of Us. Prisons. Powerful women in suits. Islands. Grotesque, painful mutations. Torture. Young girl sidekicks. Cowgirl outfits. Barry Burton. Islands. Franz Kafka. Puzzles.

Best Version: Switch no question. All DLC comes packaged in Amiibo support which helps a lot for Raid Mode, gyro motion controls and more make up for the downgrade in performance to around 30 fps. It’s a great port. Being able to play this one on the go is truly remarkable. You also can’t go wrong with the PS4 port for graphics and performance boosts.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (2012):

This game is complete and utter shit. An online or solo shooting game that takes teams of four edgy new Umbrella soldiers that may as well be some 13 year old’s Deviantart OC’s, and throws them into Raccoon City during the events of RE 2 and 3. Nemesis is here, Jill is here, Leon is here, everyone is here as they bump up against this non-canon crew over and over. Slant Six Games, developers of several SOCOM games developed this one in partnership with Capcom and it shows. This is a blatant reskin of all the generic American soldier shooter games. I’m still mad I wasted money on this one. Never, ever play this. It’s not worth it, even for the most stalwart RE fan.

You’ll like it if you like: Generic shooting games. SOCOM. Spec-ops. Call of Duty. Torturing yourself.

Best Version: PC for making it run or look as you see fit

Umbrella Corps (2016):

Ok, so this is yet another multiplayer shooting game that Capcom released to cash in on that craze. It has several online multiplayer options and one single player horde mode campaign. There are a ton of weapons, a “zombie jammer” and the option to play first person or over the shoulder. Again, this game isn’t good at all, but if you’re an RE fan you will have at least a few hours of fun here. This one is set after RE 6 and has you play as an agent acquiring all the various viruses and research left behind at various past RE locales. You get to see new HD maps of most of the iconic areas still around from the past, like the village from RE 4. Eventually you see there is the new Umbrella Corporation being established as well as numerous voice teases that either a resurrected or clone version of Albert Wesker is the one sending you on all these missions. All that being said the game is a very clunky, hollow shooter that will bore you after less than 5 hours. I only recommend this to the very BIGGEST fans of RE for the little fanservice bits. If you can’t find this for less than $5, don’t ever get it. It feels like an unfinished game.

You’ll like it if you like: Resident Evil. Multiplayer shooting games. Horde mode enemy rushes. Albert Wesker.

Best Version: PC has the best performance of this stinker.

BONUS - THE NOVELIZATIONS

Another great way to get into this series and its wild story and characters is the official novelization series by author S.D. Perry. There are adaptations of 0, 1, 2, 3, Code: Veronica and two original stories. I’d skip the original stories as they are extremely silly and non-canon. When I was in high school my one friend was reading the first book in study hall and I asked him what the deal was. What followed was me eventually devouring every single novel while I simultaneously tried to acquire and play every game I could find at the time, which wasn’t much. The stuff I couldn’t play, I read. Amazingly, these adapted the lore faithfully and in many instances IMPROVED the story, filling in the blanks and adding some much needed characterization and inner monologue to our cast of characters. They remain the best book adaptation of any video game I’ve ever seen. Looking back, I owe the start of my rabid fandom to these books. Newer reprints have generic covers featuring CG of the characters now, but all the books remain in print and are easy to get, including being available for the Kindle. If you’ve ever cared about Resident Evil even a little bit, GET THESE BOOKS!! You will have an awesome time reading.

When the first game came out in America, Capcom teamed up with Marvel Comics to create an original promo comic book to give out at stores and events and drum up excitement for the game. Nowadays it is a rare collector’s item. Wanting to know more about it, I tracked down as many people as I could that were involved in its creation and interviewed them. If you want to read the Oral History of that comic, as well as the entirety of the issue, check it out at my site Comfort Food Comics.