Quick verdict: Resident Evil 7 biohazard is the strongest pure survival-horror game, Resident Evil 4 (especially its remake) leads on action, and Resident Evil 2 (2019) is the best all-round starting point. The ranking below covers the principal saga, Code: Veronica, and major remakes as separate releases; it excludes side series such as Revelations and Outbreak.
How this Resident Evil ranking works
Resident Evil began in 1996. Capcom describes the series’ core as survival horror: you use weapons and other items to escape frightening situations. That formula has never been fixed. Early games emphasize vulnerability, puzzles, fixed-camera tension and backtracking; later entries make combat more frequent, weapons more powerful and set pieces larger.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil 2 Remake - PS5 - UK PAL | $24.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $18.13 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Capcom Resident Evil 2 Remake - PS5 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Each game is judged on the same three axes:
- Survival horror: scarcity, vulnerability, exploration, puzzles and sustained threat.
- Action: combat frequency, weapon power, set pieces and how often the game lets you fight back.
- Story: character development, plot clarity and momentum, and contribution to series lore.
The scores and order are editorial judgments, not an official Capcom rating or a universal critical consensus. A game can rank highly for one axis and poorly for another. Remakes are assessed as their own games because revised pacing, controls, encounters and storytelling can change the experience substantially.
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The overall comparison
| Game | Survival-horror score (5) | Action score (5) | Story score (5) | Best reason to play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 5 | 2 | 4 | The most concentrated modern return to fear, scarcity and first-person vulnerability. |
| Resident Evil 2 (2019) | 5 | 3 | 5 | The most balanced introduction, combining exploration, puzzles, combat and a clear character story. |
| Resident Evil 2 (1998) | 4 | 3 | 4 | The classic police-station-and-city structure in its original form. |
| Resident Evil (2002 remake) | 5 | 2 | 3 | The definitive version of the mansion-era formula. |
| Resident Evil (1996) | 4 | 2 | 3 | The historical starting point for the series’ survival-horror language. |
| Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) | 3 | 4 | 3 | A faster, more combat-oriented classic with an unforgettable pursuer. |
| Resident Evil Village | 3 | 4 | 4 | A broad, cinematic sequel that expands Ethan Winters’ story and raises the action level. |
| Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake) | 3 | 5 | 4 | A modernized action-horror campaign with stronger character and tonal cohesion. |
| Resident Evil 4 (2005) | 2 | 5 | 4 | The over-the-shoulder template that redirected the series toward action. |
| Resident Evil Code: Veronica | 4 | 3 | 3 | A lore-heavy bridge between the early games and the later global conflict. |
| Resident Evil 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | An inventive partner system wrapped in the traditional pre-rendered style. |
| Resident Evil 3 (2020 remake) | 2 | 4 | 3 | A brisk, accessible action-horror interpretation of Jill Valentine’s escape. |
| Resident Evil Requiem | 4 | 4 | 4 | A dual-protagonist design that pairs Leon’s action orientation with Grace’s horror focus. |
| Resident Evil 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | Co-operative, set-piece-driven combat at the series’ most overtly action-first point. |
| Resident Evil 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | The largest and most explosive campaign structure, with several playable routes. |
Best games for survival horror, ranked
- Resident Evil 7 biohazard — First-person presentation, limited resources and close-quarters encounters keep pressure high. Capcom USA staff specifically call it “the scariest one,” an opinion rather than an objective measurement.
- Resident Evil 2 (2019) — The police station and surrounding areas reward careful mapping, item management and puzzle solving while making every fight costly.
- Resident Evil (2002 remake) — Its mansion layout, locked doors, backtracking and constrained inventory remain the cleanest expression of the original formula.
- Resident Evil 2 (1998) — Fixed cameras and tank controls create a slower, more uncertain rhythm than the remake, with excellent route planning.
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica — Exploration and resource management are strong, although longer combat stretches soften the fear.
- Resident Evil 0 — The partner system adds tactical decisions, but dropping items in the environment can make inventory management feel like administration rather than suspense.
- Resident Evil (1996) — Historically essential and still atmospheric, though its controls and presentation are less approachable than the remake.
- Resident Evil Requiem — GamesRadar’s coverage describes Grace as the horror-oriented counterweight to Leon’s action-oriented play. That split gives the current entry a credible survival-horror lane without abandoning momentum.
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) — More ammunition and a faster pace reduce vulnerability, but the Nemesis encounters preserve pursuit-driven tension.
- Resident Evil Village — It retains horror set pieces and exploration, yet Capcom explicitly describes it as having a higher degree of action than Resident Evil 7 biohazard.
- Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake) — It restores some unease and resource decisions to an action framework, but combat remains the dominant solution.
- Resident Evil 3 (2020 remake) — Strong atmosphere and a dangerous opening give way quickly to a short, linear action-horror campaign.
- Resident Evil 4 (2005) — Its tension comes mainly from enemy pressure and encounter design rather than helplessness or puzzle-led isolation.
- Resident Evil 5 — Weapon abundance, co-operative play and constant combat leave little room for sustained vulnerability.
- Resident Evil 6 — It offers horror imagery, but its movement system, ammunition supply and blockbuster pacing place action first almost throughout.
Best games for action, ranked
- Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake) — Deliberate aiming, parries, crowd control and upgraded encounters make every fight active without becoming a pure shooter.
- Resident Evil 4 (2005) — The over-the-shoulder viewpoint, dramatic arenas and weapon-upgrade economy established the modern action-horror template.
- Resident Evil 5 — Designed around frequent firefights and co-operative tactics, it puts combat ahead of exploration.
- Resident Evil 6 — Multiple campaigns, evasive movement and large set pieces produce the franchise’s most expansive action package.
- Resident Evil Village — Its weapons, enemy variety and spectacle make it more combat-forward than its direct predecessor while retaining horror chapters.
- Resident Evil Requiem — The Leon sections give the current game an action spine, while the Grace sections prevent it from becoming action-only; GamesRadar characterizes the protagonists as complementary.
- Resident Evil 3 (2020 remake) — Dodges, scripted pursuits and a quicker campaign make it approachable for players who want momentum.
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) — More aggressive encounters and a faster pace mark it as the action-leaning entry of the original trilogy.
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica — It has substantial combat and larger enemy encounters, but retains older movement and exploration conventions.
- Resident Evil 2 (2019) — Gunplay is satisfying and more flexible than in the classics, but ammunition and route planning still discourage indiscriminate shooting.
- Resident Evil 2 (1998) — Combat is clearer and more frequent than in the mansion game, though fixed cameras limit the fluidity of modern entries.
- Resident Evil (1996) — Weapons matter, but awkward controls and deliberate pacing make fighting a defensive tool.
- Resident Evil (2002 remake) — Its purpose is evasion, conservation and puzzle solving, not a high-volume combat loop.
- Resident Evil 0 — Partner commands and item juggling create tactical choices, but the game rarely delivers the fluidity of the later action entries.
- Resident Evil 7 biohazard — Combat is tense and occasionally forceful, yet the design usually wants you to avoid danger, conserve supplies and feel exposed.
Best stories, ranked
- Resident Evil 2 (2019) — Leon and Claire provide accessible personal stakes, clear escalation and a strong balance between a self-contained crisis and wider series lore.
- Resident Evil 7 biohazard — Ethan Winters’ search for Mia gives the series a focused emotional engine and a clean entry into a new storyline.
- Resident Evil Village — As the direct sequel to Resident Evil 7, it continues Ethan’s arc rather than resetting it. Capcom identifies Village as that sequel, with Ethan returning.
- Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake) — Its relationships and character motivations are given more room than in the 2005 original while preserving a propulsive rescue plot.
- Resident Evil 2 (1998) — The original has memorable protagonists and excellent scenario structure, even if some exposition reflects its era.
- Resident Evil 4 (2005) — Leon’s transformation and the rescue mission are easy to follow, with a strong sequence of escalating locations.
- Resident Evil Requiem — GamesRadar describes it as more narrativized, with Leon and Grace serving complementary roles. Its placement is necessarily more interpretive than entries with decades of established commentary.
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica — It advances important series mythology and family connections, but its plotting can feel crowded.
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) — Jill’s escape gives the game a direct, urgent through-line, though it contributes less character depth than the top entries.
- Resident Evil (2002 remake) — A compact mansion mystery with strong atmosphere and memorable character beats, but less narrative momentum.
- Resident Evil 0 — Rebecca and Billy make an appealing pairing, while the prequel setup adds useful context without matching the later games’ emotional focus.
- Resident Evil (1996) — Its mansion incident establishes the series’ foundational conflict, but storytelling is sparse by modern standards.
- Resident Evil 3 (2020 remake) — Jill and Carlos remain effective leads, yet the shorter, more linear structure leaves less room for development.
- Resident Evil 5 — It moves major lore forward and reunites Chris with long-running threads, but the campaign’s action emphasis often overwhelms character work.
- Resident Evil 6 — Its intersecting campaigns attempt the broadest mythology, but multiple tones and simultaneous plots make the overall story less coherent.
Where to start if you are new
Best all-round starting point: Resident Evil 2 (2019)
Capcom USA staff recommend Resident Evil 2 (2019) as a starting point for new players. That is staff guidance, not a claim that every reader will prefer it, but it is a sensible choice: the remake explains its immediate situation clearly, teaches exploration and resource management, and modernizes controls without discarding the series’ survival-horror identity.
#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.
The remake is listed for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC. Check the store in your region for the exact edition and current availability before buying.
Choose Resident Evil 7 for maximum fear
Start with Resident Evil 7 biohazard if your priority is dread, first-person immersion and a compact story. You do not need to play earlier games to understand its central setup, although later playing Village is more rewarding after completing it.
Rank #2
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Choose Resident Evil 4 for action
Pick Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake) if you want demanding combat, frequent encounters and modern controls with more horror texture than a conventional action game. The 2005 original remains valuable when you want to see the design that shifted the franchise toward over-the-shoulder action.
Choose the classics for puzzle-led tension
The original-era games use fixed camera angles, tank controls, puzzles and backtracking, a formula GamesRadar identifies as central to the early series. The 2002 remake of Resident Evil is the most polished way to experience that structure; the 1996 original is best approached as a historical artifact as well as a game.
Rank #3
- 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.
How the series’ tone changes
The central trade-off is not simply “old versus new.” Resident Evil 2 (2019) modernizes presentation while preserving scarcity. Resident Evil 4 shifts toward over-the-shoulder action-shooter play. Resident Evil 5 places action foremost. Resident Evil 7 returns to horror through a first-person perspective. Village then increases the action component again while continuing Ethan’s story. Requiem, according to GamesRadar’s description, combines Leon’s action orientation with Grace’s horror orientation rather than choosing only one mode.
That movement explains why no single game can be called the best at everything. If your ideal Resident Evil is a locked-room puzzle box, choose the mansion or police-station entries. If it is a combat-driven campaign, choose either version of Resident Evil 4. If you want the strongest sustained fear, choose Resident Evil 7. If you want a bridge between those priorities, choose Resident Evil 2 (2019).
Rank #4
- 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.
What sales figures do—and do not—tell you
Capcom reported more than 157 million cumulative Resident Evil game units sold worldwide as of March 31, 2024. The company also said Resident Evil Village passed 10 million units in its first three years. Those figures show the franchise’s reach, not the quality or position of any individual game in this ranking.
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Best Value
- A spine-chilling reimagining of a horror classic - Based on the original PlayStation console release in 1998, the new game has been completely rebuilt from the ground up for a deeper narrative experience
- A whole new perspective New over-the-shoulder camera mode and modernized control scheme creates a more modern take on the survival horror experience and offers players a trip down memory lane with the original gameplay modes from the 1998 release
- Terrifyingly realistic visuals Built on Capcoms proprietary RE Engine, Resident Evil 2 delivers breathtakingly photorealistic visuals in 4K whilst stunning lighting creates an up-close, intense and atmospheric experience as players roam the corridors of the Raccoon City Police Department (RPD)
- Face the grotesque hordes Zombies are brought to life with a horrifyingly realistic wet gore effect as they react in real time taking instant visible damage, making every bullet count
- Iconic series defining gameplay Engage in frenzied combat with enemies, explore dark menacing corridors, solve puzzles to access areas and collect and use items discovered around the environment in a terrifying constant fight for survival
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.
