All the Resident Evil Games in Order: An Apocalyptic Way to Spend Your Day
With a storyline spanning over 25 years, Capcom’s Resident Evil is one of the most successful game franchises of all time. Known as Biohazard in Japan, the original game came out in 1996 and it was followed by a series of prequels, remakes, and sequels to build a larger story. All the Resident Evil Games in order (chronological, instead of release dates), excluding spin-offs, are listed below.
Resident Evil Zero (2002)
The first in the storyline is Resident Evil Zero, released in 2002. It comes with a “Zero” nomenclature because the game is essentially a prequel to the original. Rebecca Chambers along with Billy Coen take the main roles to set the background for the classic 1996 release.
Resident Evil (1996)
Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine take to the streets around the perimeter of Raccoon City. They come across an old mansion where most of the action takes place. Resident Evil was released originally for PlayStation X (the first-generation PlayStation), but popular demand led to the development of multiple ported versions for other consoles, too. A remake came out in 2002 (not to be mistaken with the Zero), made for GameCube. There is also a remastered version of the remake featuring high-definition graphics for modern consoles.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis – First Half (1999)
From this point on, the timeline starts to get a little apocalyptic. The opening sequences of Resident Evil 3 are events that happen about 24 hours before Resident Evil 2 picks up the story or about two months after the end of the original game. The first half of Resident Evil 3 makes the connection between the two releases. It is easier to think of them as side stories about the exploits of Jill Valentine during the gap. Carlos Olivera tags along as a main character. A remake for modern consoles was released in 2020.
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
It is the game that sets the majority of the narrative in the franchise. Resident Evil introduces players to Claire Redfield, Leon Kennedy, Sherry Birkin, and other major figures. It also sheds more light to the Umbrella Corporation and the zombie-infested Raccoon City. A remake was released in 2002.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis – Second Half (1999)
Although the beginning of Second Half happens a few days after Resident Evil 2, Nemesis serves mainly as a side story. Jill Valentine and Carlos Olivera make a comeback here. The most important parts of the storyline are the destruction of Raccoon City and the situation surrounding Jill Valentine to set her up for upcoming releases.
Resident Evil Survivor (2000)
Unlike most games in the franchise, Resident Evil Survivor is a light gun shooter – and the game overall is considered a lightweight entry as well. Events in the game happen on a small island, where there is an Umbrella research laboratory, after the decimation of Raccoon City. The most important message is that the corporation has gone to great lengths to continue its operation.
Resident Evil CODE: Veronica (2000)
Claire Redfield sets out on a journey to locate her brother, Chris Redfield, about two months after the nuclear blast. She is combing an Umbrella-operated prison on Rockfort Island. It is the game that helps establish the dynamics between Chris, Claire, and Leon.
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (2009)
A small plot in the game effectively builds the connection between CODE: Veronica and Resident Evil 4. Except for that specific story, The Darkside Chronicles basically retells the main events of Resident Evil 2 (and Veronica) from different points of view.
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (2007)
About 95% of the scenario presented in The Umbrella Chronicles is a recap of an already-known storyline. The remaining 5% consists of new points, including the part where Albert Wesker steals top-secret files from an Umbrella facility. The file contains enough damaging information that the U.S. government takes legal action against the corporation. A subsequent power vacuum at Umbrella affects future events.
Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Arguably the best, darkest, and scariest title in the apocalyptic game franchise, Resident Evil 4 brings Leon Kennedy to the battlefront against hordes of zombies in a Spanish village, where everyone has been infected with a new strain of virus known as Las Plagas. He is there to find and rescue the daughter of the President of the United States. Somewhere along the journey, Leon bumps into Ada Wong, who apparently is working together with Albert Wesker. The dynamics between the three characters and Las Plagas hold a great importance to set up the mythology.
Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield are members of the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance). The game is on the borderline of being a spin-off, but it avoids the categorization by highlighting and explaining the events mentioned in Resident Evil 5.
Resident Evil 5 (2009)
Chris Redfield, who is now a BSAA agent, is hunting down a bioterrorist called Ricardo Irving. As the storyline progresses, Chris becomes aware of the connection between Tricell (the organization behind BSAA) and Umbrella. Not only is Tricell helping Umbrella with the virus research, but it’s also in partnership with Albert Wesker. The game also reveals that Wesker actually is a creation of Umbrella.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
Claire Redfield is back. Despite the title, the game is not a direct sequel to Revelations. It is pretty much a stand-alone story, but still part of the bigger mythology as it showcases Claire working with a biohazard prevention agency called TerraSave. For the first time, Barry Burton is a playable character.
Umbrella Corps (2016)
One of the most consequential details in the game is how Umbrella works with external organizations, including BSAA, to clean up its mess. The implication is that the corporation has been reformed over the years following the events of the original game.
Resident Evil 6 (2012)
With the exception of Claire Redfield, every major character in all previously mentioned games takes a prominent role in Resident Evil 6. Chris remains with the BSAA, and the son of Albert Wesker is an operative. Leon and Ada are alive and well. The game focuses on C-virus outbreak and how to stop it.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
Chris Redfield appears again, although it only happens when the game approaches the end. However, his presence and some references about BSAA effectively make Biohazard a canon. Before Chris comes out, the game revolves around a new character named Ethan Winters. Perhaps the point is to let newcomers play and enjoy the game even without any in-depth knowledge of the established storyline thus far.
Resident Evil Village (2021)
A sequel to Biohazard, the game once again puts Ethan Winters as the main protagonist. He is searching for his daughter in a village that has been taken over by mutants. During the adventure, Ethan has multiple encounters with Chris, so at least it honors the franchise’s overarching tale.
My teenage son inspired me to play Resident Evil when it first came out, and I’ll admit, I wasn’t much of a game player at the time. Even worse (or better, depending on how much you like being frightened or startled out of your mind) that game was scary and nerve rending. We loved to play it!
Which of the Resident Evil games is your favorite? Are you a gamer? Or do you just dabble? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
