Resident Evil is one of the longest-running and most successful video game series, with a story that spans decades. While it has some games that define genres, it also has some low points we wish Capcom would fix in its remake saga. Regardless, the series has been on a roll with the success of Resident Evil 4 Remake and Village, and we are very excited for the release of Resident Evil Requiem.
So, while we wait for its release, here is a list of every mainline Resident Evil game ranked in case you want to revisit the highs before indulging in some requiem.
13. Resident Evil 6 (2012)
Resident Evil 6 falls apart very quickly, especially with the inconsistencies in its overall story campaign. It follows four campaigns featuring old and new characters, and the character conflicts feel forced. Not to mention, the melodramatic dialogue and boring villains completely deviate from the classic Resident Evil formula.
Despite its initial commercial success, it faces a lot of justified criticism. So, it would be nice to see how Capcom takes on its remake.
12. Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)
Resident Evil 3 Remake had a ton of expectations, especially with the success of the first two remakes. The original game is considered one of the best, but this remake failed to deliver on all fronts. Nemesis encounters are scripted, which takes away the tension.
Quick-time events are also removed, and any variations in the campaign are also absent. Overall, Resident Evil 3 Remake is considered by many fans to be the worst remake in the series.
11. Resident Evil 5 (2009)
The fifth entry, which takes our protagonists all the way to Africa, is perhaps one of the least impactful games in the series. Despite winning a few awards, its prioritization of action game elements over the horror aspects, and of course, the co-op multiplayer, are a big reason why it disappointed many fans.
Similar to Resident Evil 6, it would be interesting to see how a remake of this will be approached and how the studio might “fix” what the original lacks.
10. Resident Evil – Code: Veronica (2001)
Code: Veronica, although a side entry, is just as important as any other canon game, as it ties well into Resident Evil 5. While it has some good story elements, it also has major issues.
Steve Burnside, one of the important characters in Code: Veronica, is notorious for being awfully written. He is whiny and constantly hits on Claire. Aside from that, the game is also unnecessarily difficult in some parts, with Moth Corridor being a great example.
9. Resident Evil (1996)
The game that started it all. The original Resident Evil was a great title for its time, but its remake has completely replaced it. Its tank controls have not aged well, and for anyone looking to get into the franchise, the remake is simply better in every respect.
With that said, the original game’s voice acting is iconic for being cheesy, and if you want to experience that, you can definitely opt for this.
8. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
Many people argue whether Biohazard is better than Village, and if you enjoy horror more than anything else, Biohazard will be a greater game for you. However, it has its lows, where it feels slow-paced and repetitive.
Biohazard is still a great game and sets the new trilogy in an optimistic direction, but you have to admit it has much less replayability than others.
7. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
Resident Evil 3 was originally planned as a spin-off, but the developers realized its greatness deserved no less than a mainline game. It features one of the most iconic Resident Evil villains, Nemesis, with a relentless stalker AI.
The encounters with him make it clear that you cannot rest for a minute during your escape from this city. That tension and fast-paced action, combined with the closure to the entire Raccoon City storyline, make it a solid game overall.
6. Resident Evil Village (2021)
Resident Evil Village had certain expectations after Biohazard, and the creative choice to reduce the jumpscare factor was bold, to say the least. However, it all worked out in Village’s favour, as it carries a similar philosophy to Resident Evil 4, something many fans appreciate.
It features plenty of iconic monsters and encounters, which make it ever so slightly better than the previous iteration.
5. Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)
Resident Evil 2 Remake did a splendid job of adapting an already great title. It also added to the hype of Resident Evil remakes… before the disaster of Nemesis. What truly makes this remake almost as good as the original is how it “reimagines” many aspects, making it a unique experience on its own.
If you play it after experiencing Resident Evil 2, you may even notice an improvement in the overall pacing, level design, and even difficulty at times.
4. Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Whether you prefer the original Resident Evil 2 or its remake is entirely up to your preference. Many enjoy the soundtrack of the original more, especially in areas like the RPD Main Hall and the original A and B scenarios. Overall, Resident Evil 2 holds up extremely well to this day, and is great enough that you should definitely play both the remake and this.
The two games approach the same story and context with their own concepts, and it’s impressive to see how well the original holds up to its modern counterpart.
3. Resident Evil Remake (2002)
The remake of the first Resident Evil game fixes many issues from the original, including the camera angles. It also brings more depth to the eerie atmosphere. But perhaps the biggest reason many fans prefer the remake over the original is due to the addition of analog controls over tank controls.
There aren’t many flaws with this game, as it is a very faithful remake and reimagines only the necessary pieces.
2. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
We might have to bend the rules a little because the remake of Resident Evil 4 is such a perfect title that it deserves to be alongside the original. Even though it is placed at 2, it can easily tie for the top rank. It retained all the things that made the first game so good and introduced aspects like parrying that fans didn’t know they needed.
It is everything a modern remake should aspire to be, and the kind of adaptation Resident Evil 4 deserves.
1. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Resident Evil 4 is hands down the best Resident Evil game and a blueprint for many modern survival horror titles. The third-person shooter formula worked wonders for RE4, and its overall quality leaves little to no room for criticism.
The game also has great replayability, which is a big reason why many fans still play it to this day. It also features one of the most popular protagonists, Leon S. Kennedy, who will return in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem. It has been over two decades since Resident Evil 4 came out, and there has yet to be an entry as good as this one.
The top-ranked entries in this ranking are so close to each other in terms of quality that an argument can be made to shuffle their positions. So, which one for you is the best Resident Evil game ever?