Resident Evil 30-Year Franchise Timeline and Entry Points for New Players
The Resident Evil survival horror franchise spans nearly 30 titles across three decades of hardware evolution, creating a complex entry path for newcomers using modern platforms. Zing.cz reported that the series marks its 30th anniversary this year, highlighting a catalog of games. Because older installments feature outdated control schemes and graphics unsuited for modern standards, understanding the release timeline helps players choose the right starting point for the narrative.
Early Titles Feel Dated Compared to Modern Remakes
The earliest games in the series—including the original Resident Evil 1, 2, 3, and 4, alongside Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica—now serve longtime fans rather than beginners testing the survival horror genre. While available on PC via Steam, their keyboard and mouse controls and older visuals feel dated compared to contemporary releases. Four of these early titles already feature modern remakes that retell their original stories effectively, while a remake of Resident Evil: Code Veronica is slated for release next year according to gaming reports.
Multiplayer Mechanics Shift Series Toward Action Gameplay
Mainline entries like Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 introduced heavy multiplayer mechanics that alter the traditional single-player horror experience. Released in 2009, Resident Evil 5 relies on cooperative mechanics where an AI controls the second character if no human partner joins, though single players often find the computer-controlled companion obstructive in combat. Resident Evil 6 expands this formula further with four distinct story campaigns totaling roughly 20 hours of gameplay, abandoning traditional horror entirely in favor of an action-heavy, multi-character structure.
Modern Remakes and Essential Remasters
The 2002 Resident Evil remake with its 2015 remaster establishes foundational elements, while the Resident Evil 2 Remake features protagonists Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Conversely, the Resident Evil 3 Remake offers a shorter six-hour runtime focused on Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira, and the Resident Evil 4 Remake is part of the series.
Recent Entries Focus on Ethan Winters and Leon Kennedy
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard starts with an entirely different story starring Ethan Winters, functioning as a narrative where prior series knowledge is not a necessity. Resident Evil Village directly follows Resident Evil 7, while Resident Evil: Requiem concludes the story of Leon Kennedy which begins in the Resident Evil 2 Remake.
Best Entry Points for New Players
Players seeking to enter the 30-year franchise have several accessible starting points depending on their tolerance for retro game design and horror intensity. Resident Evil 7 works well for players wanting an isolated storyline that avoids deep ties to earlier continuity. Conversely, titles like Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil: Requiem remain unsuited for beginners because they directly continue storylines established in preceding games.
Frequently Asked Questions About Playing Resident Evil
Which Resident Evil game should beginners play first?
Resident Evil 2 Remake serves as the best starting point because it introduces core protagonists Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield with modern gameplay and graphics. Alternatively, Resident Evil 7 offers an independent story that requires zero prior knowledge of the franchise.
Are the original 1990s Resident Evil games still worth playing?
The original 1996 title and its immediate sequels are primarily recommended for dedicated fans rather than newcomers. Their graphics, technical performance, and keyboard-and-mouse controls on platforms like Steam feel dated compared to contemporary releases.
Do I need to play all previous games before starting Resident Evil Village?
Resident Evil Village directly continues the narrative of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Playing at least the seventh installment is necessary to understand the plot and character motivations in Village.