Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThere is no single best first Resident Evil game for everyone. If you want survival horror, start by considering Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 7 biohazard; if action is your priority, consider Resident Evil 4. For Ethan Winters’ story, play Resident Evil 7 before Resident Evil Village. Check that the edition you want is available on your platform and in your region before buying.
Which Resident Evil game should you play first?
Choose by the experience you want rather than by a supposed universal ranking. Capcom’s official descriptions support Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 7 biohazard as survival-horror starting points, while Resident Evil 4 is a reasonable candidate if you put action first. These are recommendations based on the games’ official descriptions, not a standardized comparison of difficulty or gameplay.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $18.13 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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For beginners who want survival horror: Resident Evil 2
Capcom’s history places Resident Evil 2 in Raccoon City during the t-virus outbreak, where Leon and Claire fight to survive. That makes it a clear option if you want a first game centered on survival horror and a new set of protagonists. Capcom does not provide a comparable beginner-difficulty rating, so this recommendation is about the stated premise, not a claim that the game is easiest to learn.
For atmosphere-forward horror: Resident Evil 7 biohazard
In Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Ethan searches for his wife and reaches the Baker residence, which Capcom describes as “a house of unspeakable horrors.” Capcom calls this the point where Ethan takes his first steps into survival horror. Choose it if that premise and setting appeal to you; the official descriptions do not establish a comparative scare level.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
For action players: Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 belongs on an action player’s shortlist, but the official lineup used for platform information does not detail or rate its gameplay. Treat “action” here as a preference-based recommendation, not a sourced claim that it has a particular action level, difficulty, or pace compared with the other games.
How the games connect in the story
The choice between Resident Evil 7 biohazard and Resident Evil Village is straightforward if you want Ethan Winters’ story in sequence. Capcom says Village takes place three years after the Baker House incident and continues Ethan’s story. Play Resident Evil 7 first if you want that context; otherwise, the official summary alone does not establish how much prior knowledge a new player needs.
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.
Check platform and edition before choosing
Capcom’s official Resident Evil Portal lists games and platforms, but availability can differ by region and edition and can change. Confirm the exact title and edition on the store for your platform before purchasing.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Capcom announced on November 22, 2024, that the Resident Evil Remake Trilogy was available digitally for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam). The announced package includes 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 specifically cautions that Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition is not compatible with Xbox One and advises checking each title’s store page. See Capcom’s trilogy announcement and official portal for details.
Rank #3
- 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.
As of October 7, 2026, Capcom had announced Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 for Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16, 2026. That date was still upcoming on October 7; check the current store listing to confirm release status rather than treating the announcement as proof of availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the official information does—and does not—compare
Capcom describes the series as defining survival horror and says it released the first Resident Evil in 1996. The portal reports more than 100 million copies sold, but does not specify a year for that figure. It also gives the series introduction: “Live or die: every decision mattered.”
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.
The official material cited here does not provide comparable figures or ratings for game length, difficulty, scare intensity, or action emphasis. There is therefore no grounded basis for ranking these choices on those measures. Use the story premise and your preferred kind of experience to narrow the list, then verify platform and edition availability.
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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.
