What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes. The numbered Resident Evil games share a broad continuity built around Umbrella’s bio-weapons research, recurring heroes and villains, major outbreaks, and consequences that later stories revisit. Each game usually presents a self-contained crisis, so you can play one without knowing every earlier event, but the connections add context and emotional weight.
How the Resident Evil continuity works
Resident Evil is connected more like a sequence of linked incidents than one uninterrupted adventure. A game normally introduces a new location, outbreak, or bioweapon crisis, then follows a small group of characters through that emergency. The next entry may move to another city and another cast, yet it keeps the same historical foundation: corporate experimentation, government and law-enforcement responses, survivors, betrayals, and evidence left behind by earlier disasters.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection (PS4) | $21.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection (PS4) | $22.05 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS4 | $19.93 | Buy on Amazon |
This structure gives the series two layers of accessibility. The immediate plot of an individual game is generally understandable on its own. The larger story becomes richer when you know why a character distrusts an organization, how a previous outbreak changed the world, or why a returning antagonist matters. In practical terms, you can start with a modern entry, but chronology and character history reward an ordered playthrough.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What carries over from one game to another?
Recurring protagonists and antagonists
Characters are the most visible connective tissue. Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine are introduced in the first Resident Evil, while Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield enter the series in Resident Evil 2. Rebecca Chambers, Albert Wesker, and William Birkin also have roles that connect multiple incidents.
#1 Best Overall
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind what led to the horrors at the Mansion in Resident Evil in this fan-favorite and popular prequel title to the series.
- Completely enhanced visuals - New high-resolution textures have been created from scratch, including 1080p support on next-gen consoles, while still preserving the classic appearance of the original release.
- Fan-favorite Resident Evil characters - Rookie S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca Chambers and wanted criminal Billy Coen combine skills and buddy up to survive the undead and infected nightmares that await them.
- All original difficulty levels plus new Very Easy Mode for novice players
Resident Evil 0 is especially important for understanding those links. It connects Rebecca to the setup for the first game and establishes material involving Birkin and Wesker that becomes relevant to Resident Evil 2 and later stories. Capcom’s mainline history summary also describes Resident Evil 6 as featuring many returning characters after Resident Evil 5, showing how the series brings established heroes back together rather than resetting its cast for every release.
A returning character does not always mean that you must know every previous appearance. The game usually supplies enough immediate context to understand the person’s role in the current crisis. Earlier games nevertheless explain relationships, motivations, injuries, loyalties, and betrayals that a newcomer will otherwise encounter without their full emotional background.
Umbrella and the bio-weapons legacy
Umbrella Corporation’s experiments provide the early continuity framework. The company’s research produces the biological threats behind the first major incidents, and the consequences of that work continue after an individual facility or outbreak is contained.
The series therefore carries forward more than a single villain. Research programs, stolen data, escaped specimens, cover-ups, and attempts to control bio-weapons create a chain of cause and effect. Later games broaden the locations and threats, but they remain connected to the history established by Umbrella and the people affected by its experiments.
The Mansion Incident and Raccoon City
The first major arc centers on the Mansion Incident and the Raccoon City outbreak. These events are not isolated settings; later entries refer back to what happened, who survived, and what was discovered.
Resident Evil 0 takes place immediately before the first game. Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 occur during the same Raccoon City crisis, so their stories overlap rather than forming a simple one-after-the-other sequence. Resident Evil 3 covers events during the period in which Leon and Claire are dealing with the outbreak in Resident Evil 2. Playing both gives you different perspectives on the same disaster.
Rank #2
- Resident Evil Zero Features
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind what led to the horrors at the Mansion in Resident Evil in this fan-favorite and popular prequel title to the series
- Completely enhanced visuals - New high-resolution textures have been created from scratch, including 1080p support on next-gen consoles, while still preserving the classic appearance of the original release
- Fully remastered sound effects - 5.1 surround support provides a more experiential gaming atmosphere that best matches players' listening environments
- Relive the classic horror in either its original settings or modified to modern-day standards: Experience the horror in the classic 4:3 ratio or newly added 16:9 widescreen mode. Play with the classic control scheme, or enjoy a new alternative scheme where the character moves in the direction of the analogue stick.
Consequences, discoveries, and betrayals
What carries over is often a consequence rather than a person. A discovery in one game can explain a later threat; a survivor can become a future protagonist; and a betrayal can alter how a returning character approaches the next crisis. William Birkin’s role and Albert Wesker’s activities are examples of Resident Evil 0 material that connects directly to Resident Evil 2 and beyond.
This continuity also explains why later entries can change their setting without abandoning the series’ identity. The location may be new, but the story still deals with the after-effects of prior research, outbreaks, and institutional failures.
Core chronology: where the early games fit
The following order reflects the earliest story chronology described by Capcom. The overlap between Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 is intentional.
| Entry | Chronological position | Important connections | First-time-player context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil 0 | The day before the Mansion Incident | Links Rebecca to the first game; connects Birkin and Wesker to later events | Useful prequel context, but its direct references are easier to appreciate after knowing the first game |
| Resident Evil | The Mansion Incident | Introduces Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine; establishes the early Umbrella conflict | Foundation of the main continuity |
| Resident Evil 2 | During the Raccoon City outbreak | Introduces Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield; follows consequences of earlier research | Capcom’s recommended modern jumping-on point is the 2019 remake |
| Resident Evil 3 | Overlaps the Resident Evil 2 period in Raccoon City | Shows another perspective on the same outbreak and its wider consequences | Best understood alongside Resident Evil 2 rather than as a completely separate incident |
Do you need to play Resident Evil in order?
No, but your preferred order changes what you get from the series. A first-time player can follow the central survival-horror situation in an individual entry without completing the entire back catalogue. Playing in order is more valuable when you care about character development, the evolution of Umbrella’s legacy, and the meaning of revelations that later games assume you recognize.
For strict early-story chronology
- Resident Evil 0: begin with the direct prequel, which takes place the day before the Mansion Incident.
- Resident Evil: continue into the Mansion Incident itself, using either the original presentation or the HD/remake presentation available to you.
- Resident Evil 2: follow Leon and Claire as the Raccoon City crisis expands.
- Resident Evil 3: play the overlapping Raccoon City story to see the same disaster from another angle.
Capcom Product Manager Andrew Schnorr described Resident Evil 0 as “a direct prequel to the first game in the series” that “takes place the day before the famous Mansion Incident and leads directly into those events.” That makes the four-game sequence above the clearest route if chronological continuity is your priority.
For the easiest modern starting point
Capcom USA’s 2024 newcomer guide recommends Resident Evil 2 (2019) as “a great jumping-on point for the series.” This version offers a modern presentation while still placing you in the central Raccoon City continuity. From there, Resident Evil 3 is the natural companion story, followed by the later numbered entries according to the characters and story threads you want to follow.
Rank #3
- Return to the series' origins
- Enhanced visuals
- remastered sound effects
- Wesker mode
Starting with Resident Evil 2 does mean encountering references to earlier events without their full background. That is not a barrier to understanding the immediate plot; it simply leaves some character history and Umbrella context to discover later through Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil.
How the remakes fit the shared story
Capcom’s official history lists remake versions alongside original releases, including Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. Treat these remakes as updated retellings of established incidents, not as wholly unrelated reboots. They preserve the major continuity landmarks while changing presentation, pacing, mechanics, level design, and sometimes individual scene details.
Original versus remake: what changes
- Continuity landmarks: the central incident, principal characters, and relationship to the wider series remain recognizable.
- Presentation: graphics, camera or control conventions, audio, and interface are modernized.
- Pacing and mechanics: encounters, exploration, and progression can be reworked, so the experience is not a scene-for-scene replacement.
- Scene details: specific conversations, routes, or moments may differ even when the broad story function is retained.
If you want historical context and the way the series originally presented an incident, choose the original version where available. If you want contemporary controls and production values, choose the remake. You do not need to play both versions to understand the main continuity, although playing both can show how Capcom reinterpreted the same event.
Which characters and story threads should you follow?
Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine
Chris and Jill anchor the first game and establish the series’ original response to Umbrella’s research. Their importance comes from being present at the foundational Mansion Incident, not simply from appearing in a character list. If you want the clearest view of how the mainline continuity begins, start with their first game or its modern presentation.
Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield
Leon and Claire enter in Resident Evil 2, making that game an effective entry point for players who want a major character introduction inside the established world. Their Raccoon City experience is part of the same crisis seen in Resident Evil 3, so the two games complement each other.
Rebecca Chambers
Resident Evil 0 links Rebecca to the setup for the first game. Her role demonstrates how a prequel can add context to an already familiar incident: the game is not merely an earlier date on a timeline, but a bridge into the Mansion Incident.
Rank #4
- Reawaken a Classic – Resident Evil 4 preserves the essence of the original game, now reconstructed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine to deliver realistic visuals and additional narrative depth to the iconic story that was not possible at the time of the original release.
- Modernized Gameplay – The team from 2019’s Resident Evil 2 returns to build upon the series’ modern approach to survival horror. Engage in frenzied combat with the Ganados villagers, explore a European village gripped by madness, and solve puzzles to access new areas and collect useful items for Leon and Ashley’s constant struggle to survive.
- Overwhelming Hordes – Face hordes of rabid enemies that threaten to overwhelm Leon with even more diverse methods of attack than in the original release.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
- Reimagined Story – Resident Evil 4 dials up the original release’s key feelings of loneliness and the fear of enemies blinded by zealotry, while providing more nuanced depictions of the character motivations and relationships that defined the 2005 survival horror icon.
Albert Wesker and William Birkin
Resident Evil 0 also connects Wesker and Birkin to Resident Evil 2 and later developments. Their involvement illustrates why playing the prequel after the first game can be rewarding: you recognize the significance of actions and relationships that would otherwise seem like isolated background.
Recommended Free Tools
Are spin-offs required to understand the numbered games?
No. You do not need every spin-off to understand the core numbered arc described above. The numbered entries provide the main sequence of incidents, characters, organizations, and consequences. Spin-offs can expand the world or revisit particular events, but they are optional if your goal is to follow the central continuity.
A practical approach is to finish the numbered games that interest you first. Add a spin-off only when you want more detail about a character, organization, or period that the mainline games have already introduced.
A practical play plan for different priorities
If chronology matters most
- Play Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3 in that order.
- Expect Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 to overlap because they depict the same Raccoon City crisis from different perspectives.
- Continue through later numbered games in release or character-focused order once you have established the early arc.
If accessibility matters most
- Start with Resident Evil 2 (2019), the modern jumping-on point recommended by Capcom USA.
- Play Resident Evil 3 next to stay with the Raccoon City period.
- Return to Resident Evil and Resident Evil 0 when you want the origins of the Mansion Incident and additional context for Rebecca, Birkin, and Wesker.
If you want physical copies of the earliest story
Capcom’s PlayStation article identifies the Resident Evil Origins Collection for PS4 as a physical bundle containing Resident Evil 0 and the Resident Evil HD remaster. Availability, region, and stock can change, so confirm those details with a current retailer before purchasing.
Common misconceptions about Resident Evil continuity
“Every game is one continuous campaign.”
It is not. The games share a world and history, but each usually focuses on a discrete crisis. You can understand the local objective and immediate danger without knowing every prior event.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
“The remakes replace the originals completely.”
They are updated retellings of established incidents. They preserve major continuity landmarks while changing how those incidents are presented and played. Whether you choose an original or remake depends on whether you value historical presentation or modernized design.
“Resident Evil 0 must always be played first.”
It is first chronologically, but not necessarily the best first experience. Because it leads directly into the Mansion Incident and connects to characters and material from later games, many newcomers will find its context clearer after playing Resident Evil or starting with Resident Evil 2 (2019).
“I have to complete every spin-off.”
You do not. The core numbered entries are sufficient for following the principal continuity. Add optional games only when you want extra background on a thread that interests you.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
