By way of its (near-)constant excellence, innovation, and longevity, Resident Evil video games have earned their crown because the king of survival horror. Capcom debuted its world of mutants and mercenaries in 1996 and has since grown Resident Evil right into a multimedia franchise that spans over two dozen console video games, six movies, two current Netflix sequence, novels, comics, and even stage performs.
It may be an thrilling franchise to discover given the quantity of content material it homes, although for a similar motive, it may be an equally daunting sequence to strategy in 2025. With the upcoming launch of Resident Evil: Requiem, this text focuses completely on video video games and cuts out the convolution by presenting two methods to play solely essentially the most narratively vital and accessible Resident Evil video games so as.
Bounce to:
- The right way to play in chronological order
- The right way to play by launch order
How Many Resident Evil Video games Are There?
There are 10 core Resident Evil video games: RE 0-7, Village, and Code: Veronica. Nevertheless, the whole variety of Resident Evil console video games — together with spinoffs and remakes — sits round 30. That quantity rises close to 60 when accounting for cellular and pachinko video games.
Which Resident Evil Sport Ought to You Play First?
Our general suggestion for the place to start is with Resident Evil 4 Remake. It is essentially the most visually/technically spectacular RE remake so far and, because of its masterful mixture of motion and horror, arguably one of the best general Resident Evil recreation within the franchise’s almost 30-year historical past. It is a largely self-contained story that does not require you to play every recreation that got here earlier than it.
Nevertheless, if you happen to choose first-person horror, we suggest beginning with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. It is the start of the Ethan Winters storyline and a very good recreation that makes use of the extra immersive first-person digital camera to intensify the horror.
The right way to Play the Resident Evil Video games in Chronological Order
For this record, we’re specializing in 12 Resident Evil video games: all 10 core entries and the 2 Revelations spinoffs. Whereas many others are thought-about canon, this isn’t an exhaustive chronology, however slightly an approachable information to coming into and having fun with the world of Resident Evil video video games.
Lacking from this record are cellular and pachinko video games, mild gun and Wii shooters (Resident Evil Survivor, Survivor 2, Lifeless Intention, Umbrella Chronicles, Darkside Chronicles), and non-canonical/non-consequential/troublesome to entry spinoffs (Resident Evil Gaiden, Outbreak, Outbreak: File #2, Mercenaries 3D, Operation Raccoon Metropolis, Resistance, Umbrella Corps, Re:Verse)
With sequence newcomers in thoughts, the transient plot synopses beneath include solely delicate spoilers similar to broad plot factors and character introductions.
1. Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil 0 is the fifth recreation launched within the sequence however the first chronologically. It takes place simply earlier than the occasions of Resident Evil, with Particular Techniques and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) medic Rebecca Chambers and former marine Billy Coen discovering a practice filled with zombies within the Arklay Mountains (residence to the Spencer Mansion). Billy and Rebecca uncover precious info associated to sequence villains Albert Wesker and William Birkin. We additionally study extra in regards to the origins of the sinister Umbrella Company and its lethal T-Virus. The sport wraps with Rebecca headed towards the mansion, the place she’d function a supporting character in RE 1.
2. Resident Evil
The primary Resident Evil got here to PlayStation in 1996, although for these coming to the franchise in 2022, you’ll need to play the 2002 remake (or its newer HD remaster), because it improves gameplay and expands on the story.
RE 1 picks up proper after RE 0. You play as considered one of two S.T.A.R.S. brokers — Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine — who come to the Spencer Mansion whereas investigating a sequence of murders within the woodlands exterior of Raccoon Metropolis. Chris/Jill encounters the murderous, mutated victims of the T-Virus and uncovers key details about Umbrella and its organic experimentation.
3. Resident Evil 2
Going down two months after RE 0 and 1, Resident Evil 2 introduces two new protagonists — rookie cop Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (Chris’s sister) — every with their very own linked but distinct marketing campaign. RE 2 additionally introduces the recurring character Ada Wong and the enduring Tyrant enemy.
We study extra about William Birkin and his work on an much more threatening virus referred to as the G-virus. Leon/Claire uncover extra disturbing particulars in regards to the clandestine work of Umbrella, in addition to its ties to the Raccoon Police Division.
Resident Evil 2 is presently out there to play totally free with an Xbox Sport Move subscription.
4. Resident Evil 3
The chronology will get dicey with Resident Evil 3, however for the sake of simplicity, we suggest enjoying it after 2. The primary a part of RE 3 takes place earlier than the occasions of RE 2; the second half takes place after. You may play midway by means of 3, pause, play by means of 2, then return for the second half of three. Nevertheless, enjoying RE 3 after 2 gained’t detract from the expertise or your understanding of the story. We selected to put it fourth on this record seeing as its conclusion progresses the general narrative past RE 2.
You start RE 3 as Jill Valentine, nonetheless coping along with her expertise from RE 1, attempting to flee from an overrun Raccoon Metropolis. For a part of the sport, whereas Jill is indisposed, management shifts to her mercenary ally Carlos Oliviera. RE 3 additionally introduces Nemesis and divulges the destiny of Raccoon Metropolis.
5. Resident Evil: Code – Veronica
Resident Evil: Code – Veronica advances the timeline by a few months and sees Claire Redfield proceed the seek for her brother Chris that started in RE 2. This time Claire’s search takes her to an Umbrella facility in France, the place she escapes captivity and follows the path to the southmost area of Earth.
Chris Redfield, one of many protagonists from the unique recreation, returns as a second playable character in Code Veronica. Chris, like Claire, is searching for his sibling, and the search ends in a gathering with sequence antagonist Albert Wesker.
6. Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4, arguably the sequence’ most beloved entry, places gamers again within the sneakers of Leon Kennedy six years after his time in Racoon Metropolis throughout RE 2. Leon travels to a rural village in Spain on a mission to rescue the U.S. president’s daughter.
There, Leon encounters a cult and explores its ties to a mind-controlling parasite. The story that unfolds weaves collectively the narratives of two characters from Resident Evil’s previous: Albery Wesker and Ada Wong.
Learn our Resident Evil 4 Remake assessment to see the enhancements that have been made for the reason that unique.
7. Resident Evil Revelations
Resident Evil Revelations is about between the occasions of RE 4 and 5. It explores one other consequence of Umbrella’s bioweapon growth and introduces gamers to the Bioterrorism Safety Evaluation Alliance (BSAA).
Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield are actually BSAA brokers, with Jill serving as the sport’s major protagonist. The duo head to the Mediterranean to fight using T-Abyss, a brand new variant of the T-Virus.
8. Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 is about 5 years after RE 4. Chris Redfield, as a part of the BSAA, flies to Africa along with his companion Sheva Alomar to stop the black market sale of a bioweapon. The folks of Kijuju, nonetheless, have already been contaminated with an enhanced model of the mind-controlling parasite seen in RE 4.
It’s a larger-scale story than previous Resident Evils, although Chris additionally embarks on the extra private mission of discovering his long-lost companion, Jill Valentine. We additionally study of Albert Wesker’s newest nefarious plot.
In contrast to previous video games within the sequence, RE 5 could be performed cooperatively; the second participant controls Sheva.
9. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is about between RE 5 and 6. It brings Claire Redfield again into the highlight for the primary time since Code Veronica. The sport is break up into 4 episodes, with every episode divided into two elements: a previous sequence with Clarie and Moira Burton and a gift sequence with Barry Burton (Moira’s father) trying to find them. The story introduces one other antagonistic Wesker.
10. Resident Evil 6
Resident Evil 6 is an action-heavy journey that tells an much more sprawling (and convoluted) story than that of RE 5. It weaves collectively 4 campaigns starring Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Ada Wong, and a mercenary named Jake Muller.
The BSAA launched in Revelations performs an vital function in 6, because the quartet of protagonists work to squash the bioterrorist group Neo-Umbrella and stop the unfold of one more mutant-creating virus (the C-Virus).
11. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
With Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Capcom reinvented the franchise in a number of methods: It’s RE’s return to mass acclaim and fandom following the largely disappointing fifth and sixth entries, it introduces a brand new protagonist in Ethan Winters, and most notably it switches the sequence’ longrunning perspective from third-person to first-person.
Regardless of all these modifications, RE 7 nonetheless exists on the sequence canonical timeline, presumably happening within the modern-day someday after RE 6. The sport is about in rural Louisiana, with the primary half happening within the residence of the splendidly insane Baker household. Its ties to previous RE video games are slightly unfastened, although most of the sequence staples are right here: clandestine human experimentation, bioweapons, and towards the tip, a well-recognized face.
12. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village is a continuation (and the conclusion) of Ethan Winters’s story, set three years after the occasions of RE 7. Biohazard and Village stand on their very own as a duology of video games. Although Village features a few extra ties to the sequence’ previous, together with a extra distinguished function for the aforementioned “acquainted face” and additional details about the origins of Umbrella.
A post-credits scene extends the timeline even additional. We’ll save the small print, however these curious can learn on to the following part for a bit extra context.
Bonus: Shadows of Rose DLC
Selecting up shortly after Village’s post-credits scene (16 years after the principle story of Village), Shadows of Rose progresses the Resident Evil timeline additional than any recreation earlier than it. Assuming the occasions of Village happen in 2021, Shadows of Rose brings the franchise into the close to way forward for 2037.
The three-4 hour DLC stars Ethan’s daughter Rose, who makes an attempt to rid herself of the undesirable powers inherited from her father.
The right way to Play the Resident Evil Video games by Launch Date
- Resident Evil (1996)*
- Resident Evil 2 (1998)*
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)*
- Resident Evil: Code – Veronica (2000)*
- Resident Evil 0 (2002)*
- Residet Evil 4 (2005)*
- Resident Evil 5 (2009)*
- Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
- Resident Evil 6 (2012)*
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)*
- Resident Evil Village/Shadow of Rose (2021/2022)*
*Mainline Resident Evil video games
The Way forward for Resident Evil Video games
There’s a lot to stay up for from this iconic horror sequence. In late 2023, Capcom confirmed they’re engaged on extra RE remakes, and a few reviews counsel Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica are up subsequent.
Capcom is not simply seeking to earlier video games, nonetheless. The studio confirmed that Resident Evil 9 was in growth final yr, and a full reveal trailer for what’s formally titled Resident Evil Requiem was introduced at Summer season Video games Fest.
Helmed by Resident Evil 7’s director Koshi Nakanishi, the primary trailer confirmed Raccoon Metropolis after it was destroyed in an try to include the virus. The trailer additionally launched Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst and daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft.
Whereas some theorists have been early to imagine the sport would function none apart from Leon Kennedy, Capcom initially outwardly denied these rumors with an attention-grabbing justification. Then, after all, Leon was revealed as the sport’s second protagonist on the 2025 Sport Awards. Grace’s gameplay will place larger emphasis on story and survival, whereas Leon will convey the great ol’ actoin.
Resident Evil Requiem is about to launch on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Swap 2 (!!!) on February 27, 2026. Preorders are actually reside for a diffusion of various editions.
An RTS cellular recreation allegedly developed in shut collaboration with Capcom, titled Resident Evil Survival Unit, can also be set to hit Android and iOS in late 2025. Within the meantime, Capcom’s social media has introduced Leon with a selected robust menace: the Duolingo owl.
Jordan covers video games, reveals, and flicks as a contract author for IGN.