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Play Resident Evil 2 (2019) first, then Resident Evil 3 (2020). Capcom USA staff recommend RE2 as a starting point for new players, and it gives you a straightforward introduction before RE3 shifts the focus to Jill Valentine’s escape from Raccoon City. The stories overlap, so there is an optional chronology-focused order if you would rather follow events in-world—even though it interrupts RE3’s flow.
If you are asking, “Should I play Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 3 first?” the short answer is RE2 for most newcomers. Choose a different order only if you have a clear preference, such as following the in-world timeline as closely as possible or starting with Jill’s story.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil 2 Remake PS4 | $23.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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Resident Evil 2 Remake - PS5 - UK PAL | $24.75 | Buy on Amazon |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $18.13 | Buy on Amazon |
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Which remake should you play first?
For most players, the clearest order is Resident Evil 2 followed by Resident Evil 3. In an official guide published October 18, 2024, Capcom USA staff said: “If you’re a new player, start out with Resident Evil 2 (2019). It’s a great jumping-on point for the series.” The guide does not name an individual speaker.
That recommendation also works well if you are deciding between the two games rather than planning a full series playthrough. RE2 introduces the Raccoon City disaster through Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield; RE3 then follows Jill Valentine as she tries to escape the city, with Nemesis pursuing her. You can understand the broad premise of either game on its own, but playing RE2 first gives you the more natural first step into this pair of remakes.
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- 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.
There are two useful reasons to treat RE2 as the default. First, it is Capcom USA’s explicit recommendation for a new player, rather than merely an order inferred from the games’ numbering. Second, playing the 2019 remake before the 2020 remake follows release order and lets you experience each game’s campaign without stopping partway through to switch titles. That is a simple, low-friction plan if you do not have a strong reason to do otherwise.
This does not mean RE3 is a bad starting point or that you need to know every event in RE2 to follow Jill. The available descriptions establish different protagonists and story emphases, not a rule that one game cannot be understood without the other. If Jill and Nemesis are what draw you in, starting with RE3 is a reasonable personal choice. It just differs from the newcomer order Capcom USA recommends.
How do the stories fit together?
The games do not tell two wholly separate episodes in release order. PlayStation’s official overview says the events of RE3 take place in the hours leading up to and following RE2. So RE3 begins before RE2’s events and continues beyond them.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThat overlap can make the question “What order should I play the RE2 and RE3 remakes?” sound more complicated than it needs to be. Release order gives you a straightforward sequence: RE2, then RE3. The timeline, however, is not a simple line in which every RE3 event happens after the whole of RE2. RE3’s story straddles the period covered by the other game.
For a first playthrough, that overlap is a reason to play in release order, not a problem you need to solve. RE2 first keeps each game’s story intact and avoids switching back and forth. If following in-world chronology matters more to you than uninterrupted pacing, you can use the optional split below.
Optional chronology-focused order
- Start Resident Evil 3 and play until Carlos becomes playable.
- Pause RE3 at that transition and play Resident Evil 2.
- Return to RE3 and continue from where you stopped.
GamesRadar describes this order because RE3’s story straddles RE2’s timeline. It is an editorial option, not an official or required sequence. The trade-off is that stopping partway through RE3 breaks the momentum of that game’s escape story. Choose it only if chronological placement is more important to you than playing each campaign straight through.
If you choose the split, the practical steps are simple: start RE3, stop at the point when Carlos becomes playable, launch RE2, finish it, and then return to your saved RE3 progress. You do not need to alternate between games repeatedly. The suggested split is a single pause, with RE2 placed between the opening portion of RE3 and its continuation.
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There is no need to make the split your first-time default just because it follows chronology more closely. The order comes with a real pacing cost: you leave Jill’s story midstream and later have to re-enter it. If you prefer to stay immersed in one campaign at a time, complete RE2 and then play RE3 from beginning to end. If chronology is the main pleasure for you, accept the interruption and use the split.
What is different about the two games?
| Question | Resident Evil 2 (2019) | Resident Evil 3 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Main characters | Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield | Jill Valentine |
| Story focus | The Raccoon City disaster seen through Leon and Claire | Jill’s attempt to escape Raccoon City while Nemesis pursues her |
| Place in the timeline | Events occur during the period covered by RE3 | Events begin in the hours leading up to RE2 and continue afterward |
| Package content noted by PlayStation | Standalone game; also included in the Raccoon City Edition listing | Standalone game; also included in the Raccoon City Edition listing with Resident Evil Resistance |
| Original game revisited | Remake of the 1998 Resident Evil 2 | Reimagining of the 1999 Resident Evil 3: Nemesis |
These are different emphases, not a simple ranking. PlayStation’s official RE3 description highlights action, escape, exploration and puzzles, as well as an over-the-shoulder camera and updated controls. If Jill’s pursuit story and that stated focus are what interest you most, starting with RE3 is a reasonable personal choice. It just is not Capcom USA’s recommended starting point for newcomers.
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- Based on the release of 1998 but completely rebuilt for a deeper narrative experience
- new over the shoulder camera mode and modernized control scheme
- a more modern take on the survival horror experience
- RE engine, Resident Evil 2 delivers breathtakingly photorealistic visuals in 4K
- zombies are brought to life with a horrifyingly realistic wet gore Effect.zombies react in real time taking instant visible damage, making every bullet count.engage in frenzied combat with enemies, explore dark menacing corridors & solve puzzles.a terrifying constant fight for survival.enjoy separately playable campaigns for both Leon and Claire
Choose by the kind of story that appeals to you
RE2 is the choice to make if you want to meet this pair of games through Leon and Claire and then move on to Jill’s account of the city’s disaster. Its 2019 remake revisits the 1998 Resident Evil 2, and Capcom says it was rebuilt from the ground up. The source material establishes those characters and its place in the overlap, but it does not provide a side-by-side breakdown of campaign structure or a basis for declaring one protagonist’s story better.
RE3 is the more direct fit if Jill Valentine is the character you want to follow. Its central setup is her attempt to escape Raccoon City while Nemesis pursues her. PlayStation’s description emphasizes action and escape alongside exploration and puzzles, so it is not useful to reduce the game to pursuit alone. The official description presents a mix of those elements and notes an over-the-shoulder camera and updated controls.
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Is one remake much shorter?
GamesRadar’s March 18, 2026 guide characterizes RE3 as “far shorter” than RE2. That is a broad editorial description, not a documented side-by-side completion-time measurement. The available figures do not establish a reliable number of hours or an exact length ratio, so treat the comparison as a general expectation rather than a guarantee for your playthrough.
Your experience of either game’s length can depend on how you play, and the cited comparison does not specify a completion route or conditions. If campaign length is the deciding factor, the defensible takeaway is simply that GamesRadar describes RE3 as the shorter game; there is no source-backed exact time comparison to plan around.
That distinction matters when comparing value. “Shorter” by itself does not tell you how many hours you will spend, how much you will enjoy either campaign, or whether one purchase is better value at the price available to you. No exact completion-time figures or current, stable price comparison are established here. Check the platform store you intend to use for the price and edition, and treat the length description as broad context rather than a promise.
Does Resident Evil 3 include a multiplayer mode?
PlayStation describes Resident Evil Resistance as an asymmetrical online multiplayer mode included with RE3. It sets one Mastermind against four Survivors. That makes RE3’s package more than its single-player campaign, but the description of an included mode does not establish whether online play or matchmaking is useful for you now. Check the current platform listing and service availability if Resistance is a major reason for your choice.
The one-versus-four format is the key distinction: one player takes the Mastermind role, while four take the Survivor roles. It is an online mode, so its inclusion is not the same as a guarantee that it will suit someone looking only for a solo campaign or that it will be active and convenient to access on every platform at the time you play. If you want the two single-player stories and have no interest in online play, you can base your order on the campaigns instead.
Before treating Resistance as a deciding factor, verify the current store description and any platform-specific online requirements or service availability. The cited product description identifies the mode and its format; it does not establish present-day player activity, matchmaking quality, or all the requirements for connecting online. Those details can change and vary by platform.
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Platforms, editions and release dates
Capcom announced RE3 for PS4, Xbox One and PC when it released on April 3, 2020. RE2, the remake of the 1998 game, released on January 25, 2019; Capcom says it was rebuilt from the ground up. These dates explain the recommended release order as well as the numbering, while the story chronology overlaps.
The official PlayStation US listing has shown PS4 and PS5 editions and a Raccoon City Edition bundle containing RE2, RE3 and Resident Evil Resistance, alongside separate RE3 editions. Storefront listings, editions and prices can change, so confirm what is currently available for your platform before buying. The PlayStation US listing does not establish availability in other regions, and the listed bundle is not evidence that the same edition is offered on Xbox or PC.
If you want both remakes, compare the current standalone listings with the bundle available in your region and on your platform. The Raccoon City Edition is a PlayStation US listing, not a universal bundle guarantee. Check exactly which games and mode the listing includes, whether it is for PS4 or PS5, and what the current price and offer terms are before paying. Its displayed sale price and end date are time-sensitive, so they should not be treated as permanent facts.
No specific current price can be recommended from the information here: prices and availability can vary by storefront, region, edition and date. The practical buying checklist is to confirm the platform, edition, included games, online-mode details if Resistance matters, and the live price in your own store. If you are buying only one game now, the order recommendation still applies: RE2 first for most newcomers, then RE3 when you are ready to continue.
How do the remakes compare as releases?
RE2 arrived first, on January 25, 2019, and RE3 followed on April 3, 2020. The source material also gives two different commercial milestones, but they should not be used as a direct verdict on which game to play. Capcom’s 2019 case study says RE2 exceeded four million copies approximately one month after release. Capcom’s February 8, 2022 announcement reported more than five million units shipped worldwide for RE3.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThose measurements are not worded the same way: RE2’s figure is described as copies sold, while RE3’s is a worldwide shipment milestone. They also refer to different reporting dates. They provide a little release context, but not a like-for-like comparison of quality, current popularity, or the experience a new player should expect. Capcom’s RE2 case study also notes that its one-shot demo drew five million downloads, a launch-era figure rather than a measure of campaign length or a reason to choose one game over the other.
For the play-order decision, the release dates are more useful than the sales figures. They establish that RE2 is the earlier remake, while PlayStation’s timeline description explains why the story events do not line up as a simple “all of RE2, then all of RE3” chronology. You can use release order for a smooth first pass or the one-time split if the in-world sequence matters more.
Choose your order by what matters most
- You are new to the series: Start with RE2, following Capcom USA’s explicit newcomer recommendation, then play RE3.
- You want to follow the timeline as closely as possible: Play RE3 until Carlos becomes playable, pause for RE2, then resume RE3. Expect an interruption to RE3’s pacing.
- You are more interested in Jill and Nemesis: RE3 centers on Jill’s escape and Nemesis’s pursuit, so it may better match your immediate interest even if you choose not to follow release order.
- You prefer Leon and Claire: Begin with RE2, which tells the Raccoon City story through their perspectives, and continue to RE3 afterward.
- You want an included online mode: RE3’s package includes Resistance, but check current platform and online availability rather than assuming the mode will meet your needs.
- You are comparing value or length: GamesRadar broadly calls RE3 much shorter, but the cited material gives no exact completion times. Confirm current regional prices and editions directly with the storefront you use.
- You want to buy both together: Check whether the PlayStation US Raccoon City Edition listing, or an equivalent current offer on your platform, is actually available where you shop. Do not assume its price or availability is permanent or universal.
Sources and scope
The newcomer recommendation comes from Capcom USA’s official guide of October 18, 2024. The timeline, game descriptions, Resistance details and PlayStation US edition listing come from PlayStation’s official material. Release details and RE2’s development description come from Capcom; GamesRadar’s March 18, 2026 guide supplies the optional chronology split and the broad length characterization. None of those length claims provides an exact playtime comparison.
Capcom producer Tsuyoshi Kanda described the project in a PlayStation Blog post dated June 13, 2022: “After the Resident Evil 2 remake, we set out to revisit the next chapter in the series which once again saw Raccoon City face disaster.” That comment places the remakes in their production context; it does not change the practical advice to play RE2 first if you want the recommended newcomer order.
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- 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.
For the central choice, the strongest direct answer remains Capcom USA’s advice: RE2 is a good jumping-on point for a new player. The chronology split is available if you prefer that approach, while the descriptions of the stories, online mode and editions help you decide which features matter to you. Store details and online availability should be checked at the time of purchase or play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I play Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 3 first?
For most new players, play Resident Evil 2 (2019) first and then Resident Evil 3 (2020). Capcom USA staff explicitly recommend RE2 as a jumping-on point for new players. RE3 first is a reasonable personal choice if Jill’s story interests you most.
Do I need to play Resident Evil 2 before Resident Evil 3?
The game descriptions establish overlapping events and different protagonists, but do not make RE2 a required prerequisite for understanding RE3’s broad premise. RE2 first is the recommended newcomer order; choose it for a straightforward introduction and release-order sequence.
What order should I play the RE2 and RE3 remakes for chronology?
For the optional chronology-focused order, play the opening of RE3 until Carlos becomes playable, pause and play RE2, then return to RE3. GamesRadar describes this split because RE3’s story begins before and continues after RE2. It is an editorial option, not a required order, and interrupts RE3’s flow.
Which remake is shorter?
GamesRadar’s March 18, 2026 guide broadly describes RE3 as “far shorter” than RE2. The cited comparison does not give exact completion times or a precise ratio, so it cannot reliably tell you how many hours either game will take.
Does Resident Evil 3 come with Resident Evil Resistance?
PlayStation describes Resident Evil Resistance as an asymmetrical online multiplayer mode included with RE3. It is one Mastermind against four Survivors. Check your current platform listing and online service availability if this mode is important to you.
Can I buy Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 together?
The official PlayStation US listing has shown a Raccoon City Edition bundle containing RE2, RE3 and Resident Evil Resistance. Editions, prices and availability are time-sensitive, and that listing does not establish that the same bundle is offered in every region or on Xbox and PC. Check your storefront before buying.
What platforms are the remakes available on?
Capcom announced RE3 for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The official PlayStation US listing has shown PS4 and PS5 editions, but check the current storefront for your region and platform because listings and editions can change.
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Start with Resident Evil 2, then play Resident Evil 3. That follows Capcom USA’s newcomer recommendation and keeps the campaigns in release order. If you care more about chronology, start RE3, pause when Carlos becomes playable, play RE2, and then return to RE3—but expect the interruption. Check current platform, edition, price and online details before buying.
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