Survival horror is a mess. Not the genre itself—that’s thriving—but the history of the series that basically birthed it. If you look at any Resident Evil video game list, you’re not just looking at a linear progression of sequels. You’re looking at a chaotic, 30-year evolution involving tank controls, questionable voice acting, high-octane action, and a return to claustrophobic terror that honestly saved the franchise from itself.
Capcom doesn't play by the rules. They’ll release a masterpiece like the Resident Evil 4 remake and then follow it up with a weird multiplayer experiment that nobody asked for. It makes tracking the series a bit of a headache for newcomers. Do you start with the 1996 original? The 2002 remake? Or do you jump straight into the first-person madness of Resident Evil 7?
Most people think the series is just about zombies. It’s not. It’s about corporate negligence, biological ego, and increasingly ridiculous ways to punch boulders.
The Mainline Evolution: From Spencer Mansion to the Village
The core of the Resident Evil video game list is the numbered entries. This is where the heavy lifting happens. It all started in 1996 with Shinji Mikami’s vision of a haunted house. Looking back, the "Jill Sandwich" dialogue is hilarious, but at the time, hearing those footsteps in a silent hallway was genuinely traumatic for a generation of gamers.
Then came Resident Evil 2. It expanded the scope to a dying city. It introduced Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, characters who have basically become the faces of the franchise. What’s wild is how Resident Evil 3: Nemesis changed the vibe. It wasn't just about survival; it was about being hunted. The Nemesis was a relentless stalker long before Mr. X became a meme in the remakes.
The Great Shift of 2005
We have to talk about Resident Evil 4. It changed everything. Gone were the fixed camera angles. Instead, we got an over-the-shoulder perspective that redefined third-person shooters for the next decade. Leon was back, but he was a super-agent now. He was suplexing cultists and dodging lasers. It was brilliant, but it led the series down a dangerous path.
By the time Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 rolled around, the "horror" part of survival horror was mostly a suggestion. RE6, specifically, is a polarizing beast. It’s huge. It’s bloated. It has four different campaigns. Some fans love the sheer audacity of it, while others feel it’s the point where the series lost its soul. Honestly, it’s a decent action game, but a terrible Resident Evil game.
The First-Person Pivot
Capcom realized they’d gone too far into the Michael Bay territory. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was a hard reset. They swapped the third-person camera for a first-person view and traded global bioterrorism for a grimy, disgusting house in Louisiana. It was terrifying. It felt personal again.
Then came Resident Evil Village. It tried to bridge the gap. It took the first-person dread of 7 and mixed it with the "eccentric shopkeeper and variety of locations" feel of RE4. You’ve got vampires, werewolves, and a giant magnet man. It sounds ridiculous because it is, yet somehow, it works perfectly within the series' internal logic.
The Remake Phenomenon
You can't discuss the Resident Evil video game list today without acknowledging the remakes. Capcom is currently the king of the "reimagining."
The 2002 remake of the original game is still considered by many, including veteran horror critics like those at RE-Net, to be the gold standard. It didn't just update the graphics; it added "Crimson Heads"—zombies that get back up faster and stronger if you don't burn their bodies. It turned a familiar game into a fresh nightmare.
- Resident Evil 2 (2019): A masterclass in atmosphere. The way the zombies' flesh reacts to bullets is still some of the best tech in gaming.
- Resident Evil 3 (2020): A bit more controversial. It cut some content from the original (like the Clock Tower), making it feel a bit short.
- Resident Evil 4 (2023): This had no business being as good as it was. It kept the campy spirit but made the combat feel modern and weighted.
The Games Everyone Forgets (But Shouldn't)
The "spin-offs" are where things get weird. Often, these games are treated as footnotes, but some are essential to the lore. Take Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Despite not having a number, it’s the true sequel to RE2. It follows Claire Redfield to a prison island and features the return of Albert Wesker. If you’re a lore nerd, this isn't optional.
Then there are the Revelations titles.
Revelations 1 started on the 3DS. It brought back the slow-burn horror on a ghost ship.
Revelations 2 was an episodic release featuring Barry Burton (finally!) and Claire. These games exist in this middle ground—they have more budget than a side project but less than a numbered entry. They’re "comfort food" Resident Evil.
Then you have the "Outbreak" series. These were way ahead of their time. Online co-op survival horror on the PS2? In 2003? The infrastructure wasn't ready for it. If Capcom announced an Outbreak file #3 today with modern matchmaking, the internet would melt.
Why the Order You Play Them Matters
If you just look at a chronological Resident Evil video game list, you might get confused. The timeline jumps around. Resident Evil 0 is a prequel, but playing it first is a terrible idea. It’s hard. It has no item boxes (you just drop stuff on the floor). It spoils the mystery of the first game.
The "Machete Order" for Resident Evil usually looks something like this:
- Start with RE1 Remake to get the atmosphere.
- Play RE2 Remake and RE3 Remake back-to-back.
- Dive into RE4 Remake.
- If you still want more third-person action, go RE5.
- If you want to be scared again, switch to RE7 and Village.
Skip Umbrella Corps. Just... don't do that to yourself. It’s a tactical shooter that forgot to be good. Even the most hardcore completionists struggle to find something nice to say about it.
The Technology of Terror: RE Engine
A huge reason the recent Resident Evil video game list has been so successful is the RE Engine. Developed originally for RE7, this engine is a beast. It handles photogrammetry—scanning real objects and people into the game—incredibly well. It’s why the characters look so lifelike and why the environments feel "wet" and oppressive.
🔗 Read more: Why Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Screenshots Still Look Better Than Most Modern Games
It’s also surprisingly well-optimized. Resident Evil Village runs on everything from a high-end PC to a base PS4, and even an iPhone. This technical consistency has allowed Capcom to churn out high-quality titles almost every year without the massive delays we see with other AAA franchises like The Elder Scrolls or GTA.
Addressing the "Action vs. Horror" Debate
There is a constant tug-of-war in this community. One side wants the series to stay in dark hallways with limited ammo. The other wants to perform wrestling moves on mutated monsters.
The reality? Resident Evil is at its best when it does both. Resident Evil 4 (both versions) is the peak because it balances the tension of being overwhelmed with the satisfaction of a well-placed headshot. When the series leans too far into action (RE6), it loses its identity. When it leans too far into "helplessness," it stops feeling like Resident Evil and starts feeling like Amnesia or Outlast.
Resident Evil protagonists are survivors, but they are competent. They are soldiers and cops. They fight back. That’s the core appeal.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Playthrough
If you're looking to dive into this massive Resident Evil video game list, here is how to actually enjoy it without burning out:
- Don't ignore the DLC: Shadows of Rose for Village and Separate Ways for RE4 Remake are actually essential chapters, not just extra fluff.
- Play with headphones: The sound design in the RE Engine games is half the experience. You can hear Mr. X’s boots thumping on the floor above you, which tells you exactly which hallway to avoid.
- Embrace the "B-Movie" cheese: Don't go in expecting Shakespeare. These games are inspired by 80s horror and action flicks. The dialogue is supposed to be a little stiff.
- Check the Mercenaries mode: Almost every game has an unlockable "Mercenaries" mode. It’s a time-attack combat challenge. It’s the best way to master the mechanics without the stress of the story puzzles.
The most important thing to remember is that the Resident Evil timeline is a suggestion, not a prison. You can jump in almost anywhere and have a blast. But if you want the full experience, start with the remakes of 1, 2, and 4. They represent the absolute peak of what this franchise can be.
Stop worrying about the "perfect" order and just start surviving. Use your herbs wisely. Aim for the head. And for the love of everything, don't open that door if you hear a chainsaw on the other side.
Next Steps:
If you've already cleared the remakes, your next logical step is exploring the Revelations series to see how the lore bridges the gap between the major entries. Alternatively, look into the VR modes for Resident Evil 4 and 7—they fundamentally change how the games feel by putting you directly inside the horror.