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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFor a practical story-first route through the main Resident Evil games, play Resident Evil 0 → Resident Evil → Resident Evil 2 → Resident Evil 3 → Code: Veronica → Resident Evil 4 → Resident Evil 5 → Resident Evil 6 → Resident Evil 7: biohazard → Village → Requiem. Resident Evil 0 is a prequel to the original, while Resident Evil 2 and 3 take place during overlapping Raccoon City events. You can choose either an original or remake edition of a game without playing both.
What is the Resident Evil story order?
The list below follows the main series’ in-universe story sequence. Capcom describes Resident Evil 0 as taking place on the eve of the Mansion Incident covered in the first Resident Evil, which puts the prequel first in strict chronology. The remaining games follow the broad progression of the central series.
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- Resident Evil 0 — optional prequel set immediately before the Mansion Incident.
- Resident Evil — the Mansion Incident.
- Resident Evil 2 — the Raccoon City outbreak.
- Resident Evil 3 — another story during the Raccoon City crisis.
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica — the next main-story chapter after the Raccoon City events.
- Resident Evil 4
- Resident Evil 5
- Resident Evil 6
- Resident Evil 7: biohazard
- Resident Evil Village
- Resident Evil Requiem — the ninth main installment, released February 27, 2026.
Capcom describes Requiem as a Raccoon City story drawing on the series’ lore, but its official material cited here does not give a precise in-universe year. Its placement at the end of this route reflects its position as the latest main installment, not a confirmed calendar date within the fiction. See Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem site for current game information.
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Should you play Resident Evil 0 before the original?
Choose based on what you mean by “story order.” For strict in-universe chronology, play Resident Evil 0 first. For the order in which players originally encountered the story—and the order in which the series introduced its mysteries—start with Resident Evil, then play Resident Evil 0. Since the prequel was released after the original, either approach is reasonable; Resident Evil 0 is also optional if you want to begin with the core game that launched the series.
#1 Best Overall
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind what led to the horrors at the Mansion in Resident Evil in this fan-favorite and popular prequel title to the series.
- Completely enhanced visuals - New high-resolution textures have been created from scratch, including 1080p support on next-gen consoles, while still preserving the classic appearance of the original release.
- Fan-favorite Resident Evil characters - Rookie S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca Chambers and wanted criminal Billy Coen combine skills and buddy up to survive the undead and infected nightmares that await them.
- All original difficulty levels plus new Very Easy Mode for novice players
How should you handle Resident Evil 2 and 3?
For most players, finish Resident Evil 2 and then play Resident Evil 3. Their events overlap during the Raccoon City period, so this is a convenient story route rather than a claim that every scene in one game happens after every scene in the other.
Players who want to arrange events more closely can split the Resident Evil 3 remake around Resident Evil 2. A GamesRadar chronology guide suggests that approach, but it is an optional, more cumbersome exercise—not a required way to understand the plot. The straightforward RE2-then-RE3 order works well for a first playthrough.
Rank #2
- Return to the series' origins
- Enhanced visuals
- remastered sound effects
- Wesker mode
Original games or remakes: which should you play?
Treat a remake and its original as alternate editions of the corresponding story, not as consecutive entries in the timeline. You do not need to play both to follow the main route. Pick an edition that suits your platform and preference, and check current regional store listings because availability can change. The titles and editions available on each platform may differ.
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Capcom has announced Resident Evil Veronica, a reimagining of the 2000 game Code: Veronica, for 2027. It is upcoming, not part of the currently playable route as a newly released remake; Capcom says the release date and further details will be announced later. Until then, the existing Code: Veronica game is the entry to use in this story sequence. Details are in Capcom’s announcement.
Rank #3
- Expand the nightmare with two thrilling expansions, combining Survival Horror and Malformations of G B-Files into one immersive bundle.
- Introduces fearsome new bosses including Birkin Stage One and the monstrous Birkin Stage Five mutation, filling entire tiles with danger.
- Play as new survivors with advanced versions of Leon and Claire plus five additional characters, each bringing unique abilities to the fight.
- Adds new weapons, enemies, Hard Mode challenge, and an intense player versus player game mode for ultimate replayability.
- Includes highly detailed miniatures, scenario booklets, cards, and all components needed to escalate tension and terror on the tabletop.
Where do Revelations, DLC and other side stories fit?
The route above is deliberately limited to the central main-game sequence. Revelations and other side stories can add context, but an exhaustive placement of every spin-off and DLC is not established by the official material cited here. Their position may depend on the specific game or expansion, so do not treat this list as a definitive, scene-by-scene canon chronology. If your goal is to follow the central storyline, the numbered and core entries above are a clear starting point.
How do story order and release order differ?
The clearest difference is the first game: Resident Evil 0 happens before Resident Evil in the fiction, but it was released later. That makes release order a sensible alternative for players who prefer to meet the series as its audience did: begin with Resident Evil, then go back to Resident Evil 0, and continue through the main sequence. Capcom’s 2025 Integrated Report describes its approach as evolving story, visuals and game elements while retaining a connective throughline, saying, “This approach has been widely embraced by users.”
Rank #4
- Intense horror experience with dark narrative
- Improved images and refined game mechanics included
- Players take on the role of Leon S Kennedy
- Mission to save the president's daughter from danger
- Challenging environments and strategic combat scenarios await
What is new in the series?
Resident Evil Requiem was announced as the ninth main installment and released on February 27, 2026. Capcom lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC among its platforms; check your region’s store for edition and availability details. Capcom reported more than 201 million cumulative Resident Evil game sales as of March 31, 2026. That is a company-reported lifetime franchise total, not a count of active players or a measure of current sales pace. See Capcom’s 2025 announcement for its guide to choosing a first or next Resident Evil game, and Capcom’s 2026 corporate update for the current franchise and Veronica announcements.
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Best Value
- Expansion for Resident Evil: The Board Game; requires the base game to play
- Adds six new scenarios in the Third Floor and underground cave system
- Introduces rotating tiles, boulder traps, poison, and giant Yawn & Black Tiger bosses
- Includes 2 boss miniatures, 11 double-sided game tiles, a rulebook, and 100+ cards
- Expands campaigns with 8+ hours of new board game content or standalone scenarios
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