The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Start with Resident Evil 2 (the remake) if you want a modern survival-horror direction. Try Resident Evil 7 biohazard for a distinct first-person horror setting, or choose Resident Evil 4 if you still want action with a more focused premise. If you enjoy Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village continues Ethan Winters’ story.
There is no single reason to dislike Resident Evil 5 and 6, so the best alternative depends on what you want more—or less—of. These recommendations draw on Capcom’s official game premises and chronology; the match between those premises and a particular player’s preferences is editorial judgment, not a measured ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $18.13 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Which Resident Evil should you try first?
For a broadly suitable starting point, try Resident Evil 2 (the remake). Capcom’s official history describes Leon and Claire trying to survive a city devastated by the t-virus, making it the clearest pick here for someone seeking a survival-horror direction. If you would rather switch to a markedly different setting and perspective, consider Resident Evil 7 biohazard.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Capcom describes the series as survival horror and says the original Resident Evil was released in 1996. Its official history identifies the current Resident Evil 2 as a remake of the 1998 game. Those facts provide context, but they do not establish that every player who dislikes 5 and 6 will prefer the same alternative. Capcom’s series portal
#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.
Choose by what you want from the next game
| If you want… | Try… | Why it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| A modern survival-horror direction | Resident Evil 2 (remake) | Its official premise centers on Leon and Claire trying to survive the Raccoon City outbreak. |
| A different horror setting | Resident Evil 7 biohazard | Ethan searches for his wife at the Baker residence in Louisiana, where Capcom says he takes his first steps into survival horror. |
| Action with a focused premise | Resident Evil 4 | Leon confronts a dangerous cult and mind-controlling parasites. It remains an action-oriented choice, not the most horror-focused recommendation here. |
| A follow-up after enjoying Ethan’s story | Resident Evil Village | It follows the Baker House incident and has Ethan trying to save his daughter. |
| More of the Raccoon City story | Resident Evil 3 (remake) | Its story takes place around the events of Resident Evil 2; Capcom identifies it as a remake of the 1999 game. |
These plot and chronology details come from Capcom’s official series history. The recommendations are not Capcom ratings of each game’s tone or suitability.
What if you dislike 5 and 6 for different reasons?
The games you are moving away from can mean different things to different players. Use the distinction that matters most to you:
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.
- If you want a clearer survival-horror direction: start with Resident Evil 2, or consider Resident Evil 7 biohazard for its Baker residence premise.
- If you want a different setting: Resident Evil 7 biohazard moves Ethan’s search to Louisiana. That makes it a plausible change of pace, though a different setting alone cannot guarantee it will suit you.
- If you still want action: consider Resident Evil 4, while keeping in mind that its premise is action-oriented.
- If story continuity matters: play Resident Evil 7 biohazard before Resident Evil Village to follow Ethan’s story in sequence.
The camera perspective, action intensity and survival-horror emphasis are useful comparison points when deciding; the official premises establish the stories, not a definitive ranking of how frightening or action-heavy each game feels.
Should you play the remakes or the originals?
For this set of recommendations, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 refer to their remakes. Capcom’s history connects them to the 1998 and 1999 original games respectively. The games in the table are not all remakes: Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil Village are presented here by their own titles and premises.
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.
Capcom’s lineup lists games and supported platform categories, but support, editions and regional availability can vary. Before buying, check the current local listing for the specific title and platform you want. Capcom’s lineup
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical playing order
- Begin with Resident Evil 2 (remake) if you want the strongest general recommendation for a survival-horror direction.
- Choose Resident Evil 7 biohazard instead if the Louisiana and Baker residence premise sounds more appealing.
- Continue to Resident Evil Village if you like Ethan’s story and want its continuation.
- Pick Resident Evil 4 if action is still welcome and its cult-focused premise appeals to you.
- Add Resident Evil 3 (remake) if you want another story around the Raccoon City outbreak.
Capcom’s portal describes the series as having sold “over a 100 million copies,” but the page does not give a publication year for that figure. Capcom also says it “released Resident Evil in 1996 and forever defined the world of survival horror”; that is the company’s promotional description, rather than an independent assessment. Capcom’s Resident Evil portal
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.
