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The 10 Best Resident Evil Games in Franchise History

The 10 Best Resident Evil Games in Franchise History

The last two years have been big for the Resident Evil series. 2016 was the 20th anniversary, which led to multiple remasters and rereleases as a result. 2017 meant the debut of Resident Evil 7 , which has rebooted the franchise and ended up being one of the most popular January releases. It’s a good time to be a fan of what’s probably Capcom’s spookiest series. It also happens to be a pretty great time to go back over all of the games released so far and pick out our 10 favorites.

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5 is one of the most active entries in the series. This gorgeous game feels like you’re fighting your way through an action movie as Chris Redfield attempts to deal with people and wildlife infected by biological weapons in Africa. It isn’t as scary as most installments in the series, but is thrilling in its own way. Plus, we were able to enjoy a great Mercenaries multiplayer mode with our friends.

Resident Evil 0

Resident Evil 0

Resident Evil 0 is one of the more divisive entries in the series. Some don’t like it for being too much like previous games and relying on outdated control schemes. Others realize the good this installment does, especially now that Resident Evil 0 HD is out. This was the first game where you controlled two characters, not one, and their combined actions were needed to progress through the story. Rebecca and Billy had their own specialties, and many puzzles required you to think critically to get or swap items. It tried new things, and we appreciate that.

Resident Evil: Revelations

Resident Evil: Revelations

Resident Evil: Revelations tries something different. In this campaign, players go through two separate storylines as Chris Redfield, Jessica Sherawat, Jill Valentine, and Parker Luciani investigate Veltro and its T-Abyss and biological weapons. It’s a thrilling, well-paced tale that’s more about atmospheric scares and exploration, though there are plenty of monsters to face. It was great on the 3DS, but really came into its own on consoles and computers.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Remember how good Resident Evil: Revelations was? How it added this amazing atmospheric environment that required you to explore and think while also dealing with monsters? Resident Evil: Revelations 2 improved on that with cooperative gameplay, better pacing, and an intriguing storyline following Claire Redfield, Moira Burton, Barry Burton, and a mysterious girl named Natalia. Even better, the multiple endings made you really want to shoot for the good result.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Jill Valentine is one of Resident Evil ‘s best heroines, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis gives us a chance to see her at some of her best moments. Trapped in Raccoon City with citizens infected by the T-virus, she has to fight and find her way out. All along the way, Nemesis, a biological weapon designed to kill the members of S.T.A.R.S. who know what Umbrella has done, is tracking and attacking her. Knowing he’s always out there adds to the horror. This, combined with choices that determine how the game proceeds and which ending you receive, make this installment extra special.

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 introduced us to Raccoon City, a whole town turned into zombies by Umbrella’s T-virus. Players were able to choose between Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they’d go through two slightly different storylines while figuring out what’s going on and escaping the city. Depending on which scenario you play and when, A and B scenarios will change and offer altered experiences. It, as well as character demeanor that showed their health, is part of why this installment was so good and important.

Resident Evil 7

Resident Evil 7

Though Resident Evil 7 is a baby compared to many of the installments on this list, this newest entry proves what a wonderful addition it is to the series. This more atmospheric and immersive take on the series puts us directly in Ethan’s shoes as he deals with the Baker family and a whole new threat to the world. It experiments with a new perspective and experience that leans more towards straightforward horror than thriller and succeeds in taking us on quite a memorable trip.

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica

Even though Resident Evil – Code: Veronica lies outside of the main series, this spin-off is absolutely one of the best Resident Evil games ever made. We follow Rebecca and Chris Redfield as they go through Umbrella institutions. We learn more about Albert Wesker, one of the series’ best villains. This is all set against in a game where survival is a more critical element. The thrill that comes from making it through Code: Veronica sticks with you.

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4

The Resident Evil series is at its best when it’s setting new standards for the genre. With Resident Evil 4 , Capcom did so many things that influenced gaming as we knew it. It successfully transitioned away from the typical zombie shooter. We were able to fire from a new, over-the-shoulder perspective. The way we shoot and the places we hit enemies influence the rest of each encounter. Items available to us depend on their size and if they can fit into the space we have. By taking this new perspective, Capcom ended up making a wonderful Resident Evil and one of the best games of all time.

Resident Evil (HD Remaster)

Resident Evil (HD Remaster)

No matter what happens or how far the series goes, you can’t deny the impact and impressiveness of the original Resident Evil . This was an incredible game that helped introduce the zombie craze. It set standards for survival horror. When we played, we had to use critical thinking skills and good reflexes to keep Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine alive. There’s a reason it keeps getting ported, updated, and rereleased. Even now, the gameplay and story feel fresh. You can’t top the first game, and Resident Evil HD Remaster is the best version you can get.

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