Resident Evil is one of the biggest franchises in the gaming industry. The franchise is now so big that even non-gamers can recognize characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wong. Capcom has done its absolute best to offer players a great experience in almost all of the games in this franchise.
As a fan of the Resident Evil games, here I will rank the best games in the series. This list is going to be purely based on my experience. So, I will rank the games based on how much I enjoyed them, which may differ from other players.
Table of contents
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is by far the best Resident Evil game for me. I am not saying that only because it is the latest iteration and one of the best-rated user games on Metacritic. This game actually combines the best elements of previous Resident Evil games and offers a pretty solid experience.
My favorite RE games before Requiem were Resident Evil 2, 4, and 7. These three games are pretty fun, and I can play them again without getting bored. Resident Evil Requiem combines these games and offers a single, better experience, at least to me.
I was shocked by how good the game was, as I enjoyed every single second of it. Sure, Leon’s combat was not as smooth as it was in RE4 Remake, but that did not really impact the experience that much.
It did not even feel weird, as Leon was still throwing hands while aura farming.
Other than that, the survival horror gameplay sections with Grace were the main highlight for me. Grace turned out to be a super cool protagonist, and I am glad Capcom introduced her in this game. I have also rated this game a 10 out of 10 in my review, so if you are curious about that, make sure to give it a read.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
After Requiem, the game that I like the most in the series has to be Resident Evil 4 Remake. This game is a must-play for those who prefer action over everything. Resident Evil 4 Remake is full of action, and the combat sections are extremely smooth.
You will find Leon’s combat smoother here than it is in Resident Evil Requiem. That is mainly because of the shift in development focus. The story is not half bad either. It is predictable, but you still enjoy it as you progress further.
The boss fights, and puzzles are also solid. The puzzles are not too complicated in this entry, as the game is mostly about combat, and that works perfectly. There is no doubt that the combat in this game is excellent, which is why you can do several playthroughs without getting bored.
The horror aspect is slightly lacking, but the monsters ganging up on you can still create a lot of tension.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The next game on the list of the best Resident Evil games is Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Some fans may argue that this is the scariest Resident Evil game in the franchise, mainly because of the chase sequences and sudden jump scares.
The tension is constantly high, and you are completely on edge for most of the game. This game is truly not for those who get scared too easily, as there is no third-person mode.
There is only a first-person mode, which arguably enhances the horror. Resident Evil 7 is a very enjoyable game, and if you have not given it a try, I strongly recommend that you do so if you are comfortable with horror games.
The story is also top-notch, as you start off feeling confused. The Baker family is very interesting, and the reveals make the experience much better.
Resident Evil 2 Remake
The next game that I enjoyed the most after Biohazard has to be Resident Evil 2 Remake. This game features Leon and Claire, two of the most popular characters in the franchise. They are often shipped as a couple, although Team Ada is quite large as well.
That said, this is where it all began for Leon. A rookie cop who shows up for duty and witnesses everyone turning into zombies. The puzzles are very engaging, and the level design is also quite strong.
The game is so fun that it makes you want to complete it in a single sitting. While that may not be possible for everyone, I think finishing it in three sittings is very doable.
Again, the puzzles are quite interesting, and aside from the survival horror elements, they were the main highlight for me. Facing Lickers for the first time was terrifying, and once they spot you, it becomes a nightmare.
Overall, the game is highly enjoyable and definitely deserves to be among the top five Resident Evil games.
Resident Evil Village
Next on the list is Resident Evil Village, which offers a pretty solid mix of horror and action. This game balances survival horror and action horror beautifully. Some of the sections are really scary, especially the Beneviento house section, while others focus more on action horror like you may have already experienced in the Resident Evil 4 Remake.
The atmosphere and level design are top-notch as well. The setting is memorable, and the whole area feels like an open hub while still being linear. This game is ranked fifth, not because it lacks anything, but because there are so many great Resident Evil games that it becomes pretty hard to choose.
Resident Evil Village is one of the best entries, mainly because of how it respects the roots of the franchise while still trying new things. So, this game appeals not only to longtime fans of the franchise, but to newer fans as well.
Resident Evil Code: Veronica
So, now that I have ranked all of the main games that many people are aware of, it is time to cover the ones that are a little less known. Among them, the best one that I can think of, in my opinion, has to be Resident Evil Code: Veronica. If you like the Redfields, then this game is a must-play for you.
In this game, Claire Redfield, one of the most liked characters in the franchise, searches for her brother. The story is decent, and the gameplay isn’t bad either. Don’t expect too much from the gameplay, as it is one of the first Resident Evil games to introduce 3D environments fully rendered in real time.
As mentioned before, this game is a must-play for fans of the Redfields, as it features very strong story development for both Claire and Chris. If you haven’t played it yet, then it may be worth waiting a little longer, because some rumors are strongly suggesting that the game is in development and could be released in 2027.
Resident Evil Remake
The first Resident Evil game was released in 1996, and you may not be able to enjoy it today. So, the remake was launched in 2002, but if you prefer graphics like those in modern games, this game might feel unplayable for you. The controls aren’t that smooth either, but as I played it a long time ago, it was one of the most enjoyable games for me.
In this game, you play as Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. The game features classic survival horror, so there is very limited ammo. You will have to manage your resources carefully, and, of course, there are some very interesting puzzles to solve.
If you are someone who doesn’t care about shiny graphics or modern controls, I would strongly suggest giving it a try. I may be biased because of nostalgia, but it offers one of the best survival horror experiences.
Resident Evil 3 Remake
Resident Evil 3 Remake, while a decent game on its own, has many flaws as a remake. I enjoyed playing it, but if you have also played the original, you would know how much content Capcom trimmed in this version. The original game, released in 1999, had many more areas and optional content.
The remake cuts a lot of that content and focuses more on action. While focusing on action isn’t bad, I think Capcom shouldn’t have removed so much. Another thing I didn’t like was that the Nemesis chases were more frequent and more predictable.
The game became more action-oriented than survival horror, which also ruined some of the fun. On top of that, the original had richer character interactions, which were reduced in the remake. I have my complaints about the remake, but if you don’t compare it to the original, it isn’t that bad.
That is pretty much it for my take on which Resident Evil games are the best. Again, this list is purely based on my experience with the titles, and since people have different tastes, you may not agree with my ranking.
For walkthroughs on various video games, you can check out the following:
- Into Indie Games Homepage
- Resident Evil Requiem – Walkthrough Hub
- Tales Of Berseria Remastered – Walkthrough Hub
- Starsand Island – Walkthrough Hub
Obaid Ur Rehman is a lifelong gaming enthusiast with a deep passion for writing about video games. While he enjoys all genres, he specializes in RPGs and Soulslike titles. After tackling some of the toughest bosses, he often unwinds with a cozy game to relax. Outside of gaming, Obaid enjoys watching anime, bingeing TV series, or staying active at the gym.
