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For a modern introduction to Resident Evil’s familiar characters, start with Resident Evil 2 (2019 remake). It follows Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield through the Raccoon City outbreak and gives you a clear route into the series without requiring you to play every earlier entry first. If you would rather begin with a new lead and a more isolated horror story, start with Resident Evil 7 biohazard.
Where should I start with Resident Evil?
Choose based on the story you want to follow, not on a rule that every numbered game must come first. Capcom’s official series timeline describes Resident Evil 2 as the story of Leon arriving in Raccoon City for a new police job and Claire arriving to look for her brother. The outbreak brings both into a fight to survive. Starting here is a practical recommendation for newcomers interested in the series’ classic characters; it is not an official Capcom play-order requirement.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Want Leon and Claire? Begin with the Resident Evil 2 remake, then play the Resident Evil 3 remake and Resident Evil 4 remake.
- Want a new protagonist and a more isolated setup? Start with Resident Evil 7 biohazard, then continue with Resident Evil Village.
- Want to experience the series’ origins? Start with Resident Evil HD Remaster, then follow the numbered games in release order. This route preserves the earlier game experience; it is an option for players interested in the origins, not a universal beginner recommendation.
Do I need to play Resident Evil games in order?
No. The series has connected storylines, but you can begin with one of the routes above rather than completing every numbered entry. The remake route and Ethan Winters route each give you a focused place to start.
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Modern classic-character route
- Play Resident Evil 2 (2019 remake) for Leon and Claire’s Raccoon City story.
- Continue with the Resident Evil 3 remake, which covers another part of the outbreak.
- Play the Resident Evil 4 remake for a later Leon story, set in autumn 2004, years after Umbrella’s fall.
Ethan Winters route
- Play Resident Evil 7 biohazard. Ethan Winters searches for his wife at the Baker residence, where Capcom frames his story as his first step into survival horror.
- Continue with Resident Evil Village, which Capcom places three years after the Baker House incident.
Are the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes connected?
Yes. Both depict the Raccoon City outbreak, and Capcom’s timeline places the events of the Resident Evil 3 remake beginning one day before those of the Resident Evil 2 remake and continuing through the city’s final days. Their stories overlap, so playing them in strict chronological order can feel tangled. For a straightforward first playthrough, play Resident Evil 2 and then Resident Evil 3.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Resident Evil 2 remakes the original 1998 game. Resident Evil 3 remakes Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, originally released in September 1999. Resident Evil 4 is a later continuation for players who want more Leon, but its story moves beyond the Raccoon City outbreak.
Should I play the Resident Evil 2 remake or the original?
Choose the remake if you want a modern version of Leon and Claire’s Raccoon City story. Choose the original if your priority is experiencing the earlier game itself and you are willing to begin with the series’ older presentation. The official timeline confirms the remake relationship, but it does not establish which version is easier for newcomers. The original route is best treated as a preference for series history, rather than a requirement before playing the remake.
Rank #2
- 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.
How should I choose a game and edition?
First choose your story route; then confirm that the exact title and edition are listed for your platform and region. Capcom’s current game lineup lists titles and platform categories, but store availability can vary by region.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Capcom announced a digital Resident Evil Remake Trilogy bundle on November 22, 2024. The announcement lists PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam), and names these contents: Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 3 – Classic Costume Pack, Resident Evil Resistance, Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition, and Resident Evil 4 – The Mercenaries. Capcom notes that Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition in this bundle is not compatible with Xbox One. The listed items can also be purchased individually, so check what you already own and what the specific store listing includes before buying. This announcement describes a digital bundle, not a physical boxed set.
Rank #3
- 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 current platform support, bundle contents, and edition details, check Capcom’s game lineup and its November 22, 2024 bundle announcement, then verify the regional store listing. Prices, discounts, physical stock, difficulty rankings, and completion times are not established by those sources.
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.
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.
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.
