Resident Evil 2
2019 · PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SA modern remake of Leon and Claire's Raccoon City story, rebuilding the police station with over-the-shoulder survival horror.
6 releases & editions
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Where to start with Resident Evil
Capcom's survival-horror flagship, from mansion puzzle boxes to Raccoon City, action-horror, and modern first-person dread.
Start with Resident Evil 2
The best Resident Evil starting point: modern controls, strong horror, and a perfect police-station puzzle box.
Then play…
Resident Evil 4
2023 · PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PCA modern remake of Leon's village mission, preserving the action-horror structure while tightening combat and horror.
The best action-horror entry point: modern, generous, and still unmistakably Resident Evil 4.
4 releases & editions
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
2017 · PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SEthan Winters enters the Baker estate in a first-person reinvention that brings the series back toward horror.
MainlineFirst-person horrorThe best first-person horror entry, mostly self-contained and genuinely tense.
6 releases & editions
Resident Evil
2002 · GameCube, Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch, PCA full GameCube remake of the first game, expanding the mansion with new areas, Crimson Heads, and a definitive horror tone.
The best way to understand classic Resident Evil: gorgeous, tense, and still built around the original mansion puzzle box.
8 releases & editions
Resident Evil Village
2021 · PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PCA direct sequel to Resident Evil 7 that sends Ethan to a European village of castles, factories, cults, and monsters.
MainlineFirst-person horrorBest after Resident Evil 7 because it directly continues Ethan's story.
6 releases & editions
Honest skips / for later
Resident EvilFor fans
The PlayStation original is foundational, but the 2002 remake is the better first version of the mansion.
Resident Evil 2Start here
Still a brilliant classic, but the 2019 remake is the cleaner newcomer route.
Resident Evil 3: NemesisStart here
A punchier classic Raccoon City escape after either version of Resident Evil 2.
Resident Evil Code: VeronicaFor fans
Story-important but mechanically old-fashioned and less welcoming than the numbered remakes.
Resident Evil ZeroFor fans
Chronologically first, but not the best first game; play it after the mansion remake.
Resident Evil 4Start here
A landmark action-horror game, though the 2023 remake is the smoother first version now.
Resident Evil 5For fans
A co-op action sequel best saved until you know Chris, Wesker, and the series' action turn.
Resident Evil: RevelationsFor fans
A solid side story between 4 and 5, better after the core games.
Resident Evil 6Later
Huge and uneven; useful later as the endpoint of the action-heavy era.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2For fans
A worthwhile Claire and Barry side story, but not a first path through Resident Evil.
Resident Evil 3Start here
A short, accessible follow-up after Resident Evil 2 (2019).
Too late in the ongoing story to be a first stop; play it after the Raccoon City and modern entries.