Start with the 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 if you want the best all-around follow-up to Resident Evil Requiem: it returns you to Raccoon City and gives useful context for Leon. If you would rather lean into pursuit, action, or a different horror storyline, choose Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 4, or the Resident Evil 7 biohazard → Resident Evil Village route. None is required to understand Requiem; director Koshi Nakanishi said it was designed to welcome players who are new to the series.
Which Resident Evil game should you play after Requiem?
For most players, the strongest next pick is Resident Evil 2 (2019), the remake of the 1998 game. It offers a close connection to Requiem’s Raccoon City setting and Leon’s history there. Capcom describes the original story as survival in a zombie-infested city, while Nakanishi connects Leon’s return in Requiem to the place where his bioterror nightmare began. Capcom’s series overview and the director’s interview establish those links.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
There is no single correct order. The best choice depends on whether you want more Raccoon City, a more action-focused Leon game, or the horror-centered story of Ethan Winters.
| Your preference | Recommended game or route | Why it fits | Edition note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon City and Leon’s background | Resident Evil 2 (2019) | Returns to the city and gives context for Leon’s earlier experience there. | Choose the 2019 remake if you want the recommendation in this article; it is distinct from the 1998 original. |
| More pursuit and outbreak action | Resident Evil 3 remake | Capcom characterizes the game around the terror of being constantly chased. | This is an adjacent Raccoon City match, not a required chapter in Requiem’s story. |
| Leon with a stronger action emphasis | Resident Evil 4 remake | Leon leads a more action-oriented entry; Capcom describes the original as introducing an over-the-shoulder perspective to enhance action. | Check that you are selecting the remake or original you intend to play. |
| More horror and a separate recent storyline | Resident Evil 7 biohazard, then Resident Evil Village | Village is a sequel to the seventh game, and the pair tells Ethan’s story. | This route follows Ethan rather than Leon’s Raccoon City thread. |
The games above are editorial matches based on their documented settings, characters, and design—not prerequisites or a ranking based on personal play. Capcom’s release information lists Requiem for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, but that does not establish the current platform availability of every older game or edition. Check the individual product listing for your platform before buying. Capcom’s release notice provides Requiem’s platform list.
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- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
Choose a route based on what you want next
For Raccoon City context: Resident Evil 2 (2019)
The remake is the clearest bridge from Requiem to an earlier chapter of Leon’s story. It places the player in the city during the outbreak, rather than merely revisiting the setting as background. Pick it if the return to Raccoon City is what makes you curious about the series’ history.
For a constant chase: Resident Evil 3 remake
Resident Evil 3 is the neighboring choice if you want Raccoon City with more emphasis on pursuit. Capcom’s description highlights the fear of being constantly chased. That makes it a useful tonal and setting match, but the connection does not make it mandatory before or after Requiem.
Rank #2
- FEAR COMES HOME -- Fear, combat, exploration, and item management: these are the four pillars of survival horror, a genre that has never been more masterfully executed than in the gameplay of Resident Evil. The horror continues in the ground-breaking Resident Evil 7. Step into the new Isolated View and experience true survival horror in a world created by the all-new RE Engine.
- DEEP IN THE BAYOU - When Ethan Winters opened his inbox, the last thing he expected was to find an email from his wife; she had been missing for three years. The message was simple: "Come get me," and an address in Louisiana. This leads Ethan to a decrepit mansion in the heart of the bayou. The place has a seriously creepy vibe, but Ethan continues his search – until a stranger attacks him and knocks him unconscious. Ethan has no idea what awaits him when he wakes up...for he is now in the clutches of the Baker family.
- A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- In RESIDENT EVIL 7, we're changing the way you interact with the world. For this next major entry in the series, play from a first-person point of view, dramatically increasing your ability to become fully absorbed in the world we have created.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
For Leon and more action: Resident Evil 4 remake
Choose the remake of Resident Evil 4 when you want Leon in a more action-forward game. Capcom says the original introduced an over-the-shoulder perspective to enhance action. That direction also makes it a natural contrast with Requiem, where Nakanishi describes Leon’s sections as more exhilarating and Grace’s as more horror-oriented.
For the Ethan storyline: Resident Evil 7 biohazard, then Village
Play Resident Evil 7 biohazard before Resident Evil Village if you want a connected two-game story. Capcom explicitly describes Village as a sequel to the seventh installment, and Nakanishi says Ethan’s story concludes across those two games. This route follows a different protagonist from the Leon and Raccoon City thread.
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- TERRIFYING ZOMBIES WAITING AROUND EVERY CORNER -- Driven by insatiable hunger, these creatures act on instinct, gnashing their teeth, ripping at flesh, and devouring their victims. The new immersive camera lets you feel their fangs as they sink into your flesh.
- RACCOON CITY, REBUILT IN INTRICATE DETAIL -- The characters, environments, and story have all been rebuilt from the ground up to create a terrifying world that feels both nostalgic and new.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
Do you need to play older Resident Evil games first?
No. Nakanishi said Requiem was designed to welcome complete newcomers who do not know about the Raccoon City Incident or have played any Resident Evil games. Earlier entries can add context, but they are optional preparation, not a requirement for following the game.
If you want one optional game, pick Resident Evil 2 (2019) for the closest Raccoon City and Leon connection. If you are interested in another protagonist and a more horror-oriented story, start with Resident Evil 7 biohazard and continue to Village. The director’s comments about Requiem’s newcomer-friendly design and its different Grace and Leon sections are in the PlayStation.Blog interview.
Rank #4
- CLASSIC RESIDENT EVIL GAMEPLAY -- Overcome chilling encounters in a relentless fight for survival that ratchets up the intensity through nail-biting exploration and gripping puzzle-solving.
- EXPLORE RACCOON CITY FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- Get even closer to the action with an over-the-shoulder camera and updated control scheme, drawing you into every bloodcurdling encounter.
- SURVIVE TOGETHER IN THE MULTIPLAYER MODE -- Bring up to four friends into the carnage with Resident Evil Resistance, a multiplayer survival horror experience included in the Resident Evil 3 package. Available as a PlayStation 4 title compatible on all PlayStation 5 devices. Includes code necessary for redemption, requires additional download not on disc.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
Check the edition and platform before you buy
Several recommendations are remakes, so confirm the edition in the store listing: this guide’s first pick is the 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2, and its action recommendation is the remake of Resident Evil 4. Resident Evil 3 is also identified here as the remake. The cited Capcom information does not confirm current availability of each older title on every platform, so verify the exact game and platform in the storefront you use.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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