Resident Evil is arguably the most popular survival horror video game franchise. Capcom debuted the series over 20 years ago and has released various games since then. It has introduced us to many beloved characters and taken us to different horrific locations. As the studio prepares for the release of Resident Evil: Requiem next year, it is the right time to jump back into the series.
Since the Resident Evil lore has not been told in the release order of the games, it can get a bit tricky to make sense of everything. This is the reason we are here to help you play Resident Evil games in chronological order.
Resident Evil Games in Chronological Order
Resident Evil Zero
Resident Evil Zero (Resident Evil 0) is the fifth game in the release order, but the first title to play chronologically. It features Rebecca Chambers, a S.T.A.R.S. medic, and Billy Coen, an ex-marine turned convict. Chambers discovers an abandoned train with all of its passengers and crew turned zombies. This game reveals the origins of the T-Virus and the Umbrella Corporation. It was released in 2002 and received an HD remaster in 2016.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is the game that not only kicked off the franchise but also changed the survival horror genre in 1996. Its events take place right after the events of RE Zero. You play as S.T.A.R.S. agent, Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, who find themselves trapped in Spencer Mansion, infested with zombies. There are mysteries to solve as you look to survive. The game was remastered in 2002, and it is the version that you should play.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 is set two months after the events of the mansion in Raccoon City. It introduces us to a new rookie cop, Leon S. Kennedy, and a college student, Claire Redfield. The T-Virus effect has taken over this new city as almost every resident is infected. The two characters have their own stories, but they eventually connect. You can play their stories one at a time. The game also features series’ iconic characters Ada Wong and Mr. X. It was released in 1998 and received a remake version in 2019.
Resident Evil 3
Resident Evil 3 or Resident Evil 3: Nemesis brings back Jill Valentine from the first game in the series. She is in the middle of the Raccoon City virus outbreak. As she looks to survive zombies, she also has another threat to deal with. A bio-weapon called Nemesis, whose sole goal is to kill her. In terms of chronology, the first and second part takes place before and after the events of RE 2. Capcom released the game in 1999 and a remake version in 2020.
Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Resident Evil: Code Veronica was released in 2000, with its story taking place a few months after the Raccoon City events. Clair Redfield continues her search for her sibling, Chris Redfield, whom we first got to know about in RE 2. You will be able to play with Chris as a second playable character.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 marks the return of Leon S. Kennedy, who visits a rural Spanish village on a rescue mission for the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham. This is when he discovers nothing is normal about the village and its residents. Ada Wong from RE 2 also returns, and for the first time, the series shifts focus from survival to combat action. It is undoubtedly the top fan-favorite game in the franchise. The game was first released in 2005 and received a remake version in 2023.
Resident Evil: Revelations
Resident Evil: Revelations has its story taking place between the events of RE 4 and RE 5. It features Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, who are now part of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA). Their objective is to investigate and stop a threat looking to infect oceans with a virus. It is known for returning to its roots and gameplay mechanics that we used to see in titles before RE 4.
Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 has the same combat-focused approach as RE 4 and is set five years later. Chris Redfield and a new protagonist, Sheva Alomar, both BSAA agents, are sent to an African village to contain a mind-controlling parasite outbreak. It was the first game in the franchise to offer a co-op campaign.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Resident Evil: Revelations 2‘s story takes place between RE 5 and RE 6 events. Claire Redfield returns as the protagonist, and Barry Burton is a playable character for the first time. It also features his daughter, Moira Burton, who is kidnapped alongside Claire and taken to a deserted island. The game’s story is divided into episodes where you switch between Claire and Barry in each episode.
Resident Evil 6
Resident Evil 6 is the 10th game to be played in chronological order. It has the biggest roster of playable characters in the whole franchise. You get to play as Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Ada Wong, and Jake Muller. The last one is a new character and the son of the series’ antagonist, Albert Wesker. Each character has its own campaign that intertwines with others. Despite being developed on a huge scale with a massive campaign, it failed to impress fans and critics.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Capcom took a six-year break after the RE 6 debacle and returned with a bang with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. It switched the gameplay from third-person to first-person for a more immersive and scary experience. The game introduces us to a new protagonist, Ethan Winters, whose wife has been missing for years. He receives an email from his wife, which leads him to visit the terrifying Baker Ranch in rural Louisiana. It is there he meets the creepy Baker family, and things start going south.
Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village is the latest game in the franchise and the 12th game in chronological order. It continues Ethan Winters’ story, who now visits a village in Romania to look for her daughter Rose. Its events take place three years after RE 7. The village has mutant werewolf-like creatures and four mutant lords that Winters must take on. The upcoming Resident Evil Requiem will serve as a sequel to Village.
