How to Play Resident Evil in Order: Release, Chronology & Tips

How to Play Resident Evil in Order: Release, Chronology & Tips

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Introduction

How to play Resident Evil in order is a common question for newcomers and returning fans alike. With decades of releases, remakes, spin-offs, and movies, the Resident Evil series can feel overwhelming. Whether you want the original release order, the in-universe chronological order, or a recommended path that balances story and gameplay, this guide will walk you through the Resident Evil timeline, the best order to play Resident Evil games, and practical tips to get the most out of each playthrough.

Understanding the Series: Main series vs spin-offs and remakes

Before choosing a play order, it’s helpful to know the difference between the main series, remakes, and spin-offs. The main series centers on entries like Resident Evil 0 through Resident Evil 8 (Village), while remakes such as the Resident Evil 2 remake and Resident Evil 1 remake rework older entries with modern controls and story tweaks. Spin-offs—like Revelations, Umbrella Chronicles, Outbreak, and Leon-centric adventures—expand the timeline but are not always essential to the central plot.

  • Main series: RE1 (Remake), RE2 (Remake and original), RE3 (Remake and original), Code: Veronica, RE4, RE5, RE6, RE7, RE8 (Village).
  • Remakes: RE1 (2002/2023), RE2 Remake (2019), RE3 Remake (2020) — they modernize gameplay and sometimes adjust lore.
  • Spin-offs & others: Revelations, Revelations 2, Outbreak, Umbrella Chronicles, Operation Raccoon City — useful for extra context.

Release Order: The historical way to play Resident Evil

Playing in release order lets you feel the franchise’s evolution: from fixed-camera survival horror to over-the-shoulder action and modern first-person scares. This is ideal if you want to appreciate gameplay changes and the series’ historical progression.

Suggested release order (core and important entries):

  • Resident Evil (1996 original / 2002 remake available later)
  • Resident Evil 2 (1998)
  • Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
  • Resident Evil Code: Veronica (2000)
  • Resident Evil 4 (2005)
  • Resident Evil 5 (2009)
  • Resident Evil 6 (2012)
  • Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
  • Resident Evil Village (2021)

    • Benefits of release order:

    • See design trends and genre shifts.
    • Experience story reveals as original fans did.
    • Understand franchise mechanics and developer experimentation.

    Chronological (in-universe) Order: Resident Evil timeline

    If you’re most interested in the Resident Evil timeline—how events unfold in-universe—play chronological order. This order tracks the story from the earliest outbreaks to recent events and is great for narrative clarity.

    Chronological play order (core story focus):

    • Resident Evil 0 (prequel events before the mansion)
    • Resident Evil (original storyline or the REmake if you prefer modern controls)
    • Resident Evil 2 (Leon & Claire in Raccoon City)
    • Resident Evil 3 (Nemesis overlaps with RE2)
    • Resident Evil: Code Veronica (Claire & Chris’ story continues)
    • Resident Evil 4 (Leon’s mission years later)
    • Resident Evil 5 (Chris & Sheva confront bioterrorism)
    • Resident Evil 6 (multiple interwoven campaigns)
    • Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (new perspective, sets up bio-organic weapon lore)
    • Resident Evil Village (direct sequel to RE7)

    Notes on chronology:

    • Remakes fit into the timeline at roughly the same points they retell (RE2 remake = RE2 events, RE1 remake = RE1 events).
    • Spin-offs like Revelations and Revelations 2 slot between main titles (Revelations between RE4 and RE5 is commonly accepted for some storylines).

    Recommended Play Order: Best order to play Resident Evil for newcomers

    For many players, a hybrid approach is best: mix chronological clarity with modern gameplay comforts. Here are two recommended routes based on goals:

    Story-first (narrative clarity)

    • RE0 (or REmake 0 if available)
    • Resident Evil (REmake recommended)
    • RE2 Remake
    • RE3 Remake (optional; overlaps RE2)
    • Code: Veronica
    • RE4
    • Revelations/Revelations 2 (optional between RE4 and RE5)
    • RE5 → RE6
    • RE7 → Village

    Gameplay-first (best modern experience)

    • Start with RE7 to experience modern survival horror (VR option available).
    • Play RE2 Remake and RE3 Remake for modernized classics.
    • Play RE4 Remake or original (depending on taste).
    • Finish with RE5 → RE6 for action-heavy co-op.

    Why these routes work:

    • Story-first: preserves narrative continuity through the Resident Evil timeline.
    • Gameplay-first: gives newcomers a smoother learning curve with contemporary controls and design.

    How to handle remakes, multiple versions, and spin-offs

    Remakes are often preferable for new players because they include modern controls, improved visuals, and quality-of-life features. However, the original releases sometimes contain unique content or atmosphere valued by purists.

    Remake considerations

    • RE2 Remake (2019) and RE3 Remake (2020) retell classic stories—play these instead of originals if you prioritize accessibility.
    • RE1 has two widely used versions: the classic and the 2002 REmake (or its 2023 update). Choose the remake for modern controls.
    • RE4 has a modern remake (2023) that updates camera and combat—play the remake if you want consistent mechanics.

    Which spin-offs to include

    Spin-offs like Revelations and Revelations 2 are narrative-rich and recommended if you care about lore. Titles such as Umbrella Chronicles or Operation Raccoon City are more arcade or alternate interpretations and can be skipped without losing the main story.

    Platform, DLCs, and technical tips

    Choosing the right platform and version matters:

    • PC/modern consoles: Best for graphical fidelity, mods, and performance.
    • VR: RE7 is playable in VR and offers unmatched immersion.
    • Co-op: RE5 and RE6 are better with a friend; adjust difficulty accordingly.
    • DLC & Extra Campaigns: Some extra stories (Ada missions, Lost in Nightmares) expand characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield, and Ada Wong.

    Technical tips:

    • Install patches and performance updates—remakes often have post-launch improvements.
    • Back up save files if moving between platforms or using mods.
    • Consider using modes like “Classic” or “Vintage” camera for atmosphere in remakes if available.

    Practical tips and example playthrough schedules

    Here are practical tips to make your playthrough smoother and more enjoyable, plus a sample schedule for new players.

    General tips

    • Play Resident Evil with headphones to enhance atmosphere and audio cues.
    • Don’t rush: exploration and inventory management are core parts of classic survival horror.
    • If you get frustrated by older mechanics, swap the original for the remake or lower difficulty settings.
    • Use guides sparingly—try to discover puzzles yourself for the best experience.
    • For continuity, play character-centric stories (Leon, Claire, Chris) in sequence to follow their arcs.

    Sample 6-month play schedule (moderate pace)

    • Month 1: RE7 (main story + VR if desired)
    • Month 2: RE2 Remake
    • Month 3: RE3 Remake (optional) + RE Remake
    • Month 4: RE0 + Code: Veronica
    • Month 5: RE4 (remake or original)
    • Month 6: RE5 → RE6 (co-op sessions if possible) → Village if not played earlier

    FAQ

    1. What is the best order to play Resident Evil for story?

    For a story-first experience, play chronological order: RE0 → RE1 (or remake) → RE2 → RE3 → Code: Veronica → RE4 → Revelations (optional) → RE5 → RE6 → RE7 → Village. This order follows the in-universe timeline and character arcs.

    2. Should I play the remakes or the original Resident Evil games?

    Play remakes if you prefer modern controls and visuals. Remakes of RE1, RE2, RE3, and RE4 update mechanics and are generally more accessible for newcomers. Originals are great if you want authenticity and historical context.

    3. Do spin-offs matter for the main plot?

    Some spin-offs add meaningful lore (Revelations series), while others are optional. You can skip arcade-style or alternate-history titles without losing the core narrative.

    4. Where does Resident Evil Village fit in the timeline?

    Resident Evil Village is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7 and takes place after RE7’s events. It’s best played after RE7 for narrative continuity.

    5. How long will it take to play all main Resident Evil games?

    Playtime varies. Main campaign times approximate: RE1/Remake (8–12 hrs), RE2 Remake (8–12 hrs), RE3 Remake (5–8 hrs), Code: Veronica (15–20 hrs), RE4 (15–25 hrs), RE5/RE6 (15–30 hrs each), RE7 (8–12 hrs), Village (10–15 hrs). Expect 150+ hours for a thorough run of main titles and important spin-offs.

    Conclusion

    Figuring out how to play Resident Evil in order depends on whether you want historical context, story clarity, or the best modern gameplay. Release order highlights the series’ evolution, chronological order smooths narrative gaps, and the recommended hybrid route gives a friendly balance for newcomers. Include remakes to modernize the experience, slot in Revelations for extra lore, and skip the less-essential spin-offs until you decide you want more. Most importantly, tailor your playthrough to whether you want scares, action, or story—Resident Evil can be enjoyed in many orders, and each offers something unique.

    Enjoy your playthrough, keep an eye out for audio cues and inventory puzzles, and welcome to the world of Resident Evil—whether you chase the timeline or savor the releases as they came.