Image credit: Capcom
Resident Evil Requiem is, undoubtedly, one of the best games in the franchise’s storied history, and I don’t say that lightly as someone who’s fanatical about the series. The combination of action and survival horror is exquisite, and it’s a bloody feast for the senses.
But where does Requiem stack up against the behemoths that’ve made their mark as the best Resident Evil games of all time? Here, you’ll find a breakdown of the top five games in the franchise.
These five top-rated Resident Evil games are must-plays
Picking out the best Resident Evil games out of the franchise line-up is no easy feat – although it’s fairly easy to pick out which ones are the worst of the bunch.
Despite starting off with Resident Evil 6 as my first game of the series, I’m not going to be placing it in the top five, don’t worry. I’ve got a soft spot for it, but compared to beasts like the remakes and the newer titles, it’s outclassed.
5. Resident Evil 4 (Remake and the original)
While the original game is a diamond that’s worth revisiting if you can, the Resident Evil 4 remake is equally enjoyable.
Focusing on Capcom heartthrob Leon Kennedy, the game focuses on rescuing the daughter of the President, Ashley Graham, who’s been kidnapped.
With mind-altering parasites, evil cultist zombies, and plenty of dynamite to contend with, it’s a bloody bonanza and plays out as one of the best in the franchise, particularly if you’re someone who enjoys the more action-leaning games in the roster.
4. Resident Evil 2 (Remake and the original)
In a similar vein to the previous entry, Resident Evil 2 is a must-play, no matter if you’re looking at the original or the remake. Starring both Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy, the game takes place in an iconic horror location – Raccoon City.
Resident Evil 2 is one of the most memorable entries in the franchise, both in lore and playstyle, and you can feel its impact in more modern survival horror games to this day.
One of my favorite things about Resident Evil 2 is Mr. X. The series has a knack for creating imposing stalker monsters that take a whole lot of effort – or rocket launchers – to beat, and the Tyrant, Mr. X, is one of the most unnerving. Hearing his footsteps booming down a hallway still gives me shivers.
3. Resident Evil Requiem
Since its launch, Resident Evil Requiem has been wiggling its way into most of the best Resident Evil games ranked lists online, and with good reason.
The game is a masterclass in blending two perspectives to tell a cohesive story, with Leon’s sections action-oriented and Grace Ashcroft’s focused on classic survival horror and stealth.
One of the best things about Requiem is its unique spin on zombies. Not only do they mimic their behaviors from their human lives, but they’re also a lot more vocal and emotive; in the same way that hearing Mr. X booming down a hallway is intimidating, hearing one of them coo or cry out from the darkness is spine-chilling.
2. Resident Evil
I would feel like somewhat of a fraud ranking every Resident Evil game without putting the original towards the top. The image I’ve used here is from the remaster, admittedly, but if you can get hold of a copy of the original title, it’s worth the effort and cash.
It’s a beautifully atmospheric and tense experience, and if you’ve played the other games already, it’s rewarding to explore the iconic locations in this title with the later lore in mind.
While it’s certainly got its quirks – tank controls can be divisive, after all, and the visuals do show their age – the original Resident Evil set the standard for survival horror. It’s charming and unnerving all at once, and there’s plenty of content for completionists to rip into as well.
1. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
If you’ve read through a fair number of Resident Evil game tier lists and community rankings, you likely won’t be surprised to see Biohazard sitting at the top here.
While I fell in love with Requiem and found it mesmerizing, there’s a particular grittiness to Resident Evil 7 that I feel makes it one of the best survival horror games of all time.
It’s got a number of tricky – and disgusting – bosses, some killer stealth moments, and an interesting story that oscillates between genuinely intense and cheesy b-horror, which is exactly where I feel the series should sit.
If you’ve not played Biohazard before, or any of the other games in this list, for that matter, you should remedy this immediately. The series is iconic for a reason, after all, and there’s plenty on offer to suit your personal preferences, no matter if you’re more of an action lover or survival horror geek.
FAQs
If you’ve never played a Resident Evil game before, I’d recommend starting with the remake of 2 or 4 for the best experience. While there is a cohesive story for the franchise, you don’t necessarily have to play Resident Evil games in order, so these work as an entry point.
Both the original Resident Evil 2 and the remake are quality games, and it’s worth playing both if you can. However, I’d advise most players to play the remake unless they’re specifically a fan of older games.
While every Resident Evil game has its moments, the most horror-leaning games in the franchise are Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Requiem, and, despite its age, the original Resident Evil.
Based on community sentiment, the Resident Evil games that deserve more love include Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil Zero, and Resident Evil: Revelations. While they have their flaws, these games are survival-horror classics worth checking out.
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