Over Nearly 30 Years and Nine Main Entries, Some are Bound to be Better Than Others
The Resident Evil franchise is one of the longest ongoing horror game series. The series is soon approaching its 30th anniversary, occurring on March 26th, 2026. Rumors are already flying about what Capcom will do for the anniversary or what they will release next — the fanbase anticipates a second remake (called REmakes due to the series’ abbreviation, RE) of the original Resident Evil or Resident Evil 9. Not only does it have nine mainline games but well over 15 spinoff games, 10 films, two animated series, novels, comics, and even a few stageplays.
The mainline games are the centerpiece of the Resident Evil franchise. The mainline games carry out a dark, twisted story with a very clear-cut villian in the Umbrella Corporation. These games set the atmosphere and define how a world rampant with zombies and bio-organic weapons (also known as BOWs) functions. But as with all franchises, Resident Evil has its favored games. So which Resident Evil entries sit at the top? Which is the best?
5. Resident Evil 3 (1999/2020)
At the bottom of the list is Resident Evil 3, with both its original 1999 version and 2020 REmake. It is the only game in the series to occur concurrently with another installment, Resident Evil 2 (1998/2019). As the protagonists of Resident Evil 2 venture further into the overrun and infected Raccoon City, the protagonists of Resident Evil 3 make a mad dash to escape. They player controls ex-elite Special Tactics and Rescue Service (also known as S.T.A.R.S) agent Jill Valentine, who joins up with mercenary Carlos Oliveria in search for a cure and freedom from the zombie outbreak. Resident Evil 3 also introduced one of the franchise’s most prevalent and popular villains — the supermutant Nemesis.
Across both its original and REmake, Resident Evil 3 has grossed $707M in sales. The REmake is praised for taking the original story and making it more linear. The REmake gives Carlos much more relevance and consolidates the original multiple endings into one singular ending, as well as cutting out confusing or unnecessary story beats and locations. However, all of these changes made the game much shorter and removed beloved characters such as Barry Burton. The original Resident Evil 3 game takes around eight hours to complete, whereas the REmake takes around six and a half hours. Critics were disappointed at how much Nemesis was toned down from the first game. Where in Resident Evil 3 (1999) he was an ever-present threat that could appear at any moment, he only appears in select areas and cutscenes in the REmake. Overall, though, Resident Evil 3 has received positive reviews throughout the years.
4. Resident Evil 5 (2009)
Next up is Resident Evil 5 (2009). It features Resident Evil’s most frequent protagonist, Chris Redfield, as a new agent of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (also known as the BSAA). He is sent on a mission in West Africa and is accompanied by a new partner, Sheva Alomar. Shortly after arriving, the two find that the locals have been infected with the same parasite from Resident Evil 4. Chris discovers his former partner Jill Valentine may still be alive, despite being presumed dead after an encounter with main antagonist Albert Wesker. As Chris and Sheva search for Jill and Sheva’s mentor Josh Stone, they discover the true intentions of those behind the BSAA and Wesker’s next scheme. Chris must face off against Wesker one last time, lest the world itself fall into his grasp.
Resident Evil 5 is one of two mainline games to implement co-op play, where one player controls Chris and the other controls Sheva. Resident Evil 6 is the other game to utilize this feature. It is still possible to play single-player, but is highly recommended to be multiplayer. Resident Evil 5 grossed $782M with its original release and $182M with its Gold Edition, making it the best-selling Resident Evil game outside of remakes. The game received positive reviews, praised for its high replayability due to two player characters and phenomenal graphics for its time. However, its control scheme was deemed not user-friendly, and critics claimed it more an action game than a survival-horror game. The biggest hit to Resident Evil 5 was the allegations of racism against it upon the release of its E3 trailer. The producers were quick to remedy this in its second trailer, where enemies and player characters were made to be more diverse, especially with the reveal of Sheva. Critics were quick to insist that Sheva was only added to address the issue, but her voice actress Karen Dyer said that Sheva was part of development before the E3 trailer’s release. Despite the controversy, Resident Evil 5 remains a strong entry in the franchise.
3. Resident Evil 2 (1998/2019)
Resident Evil 2 (1998) introduced some of the series’ most popular characters, the rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and younger sister to Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield. They meet as Leon is heading in for his first day on the job at the Raccoon City Police Department, while Claire arrives to search for Chris. They join forces when they are overrun by a zombie horde and head to the police department for answers. Their search leads them all over Raccoon City, encountering characters like mercenary Ada Wong and the daughter of two Umbrella Pharmaceuticals scientists, Sherry Birkin. Together, Leon and Claire uncover the conspiracy Umbrella is hiding and put a stop to their schemes before the zombie outbreak spreads outside of Raccoon City.
Resident Evil 2 (1998/2019) is one of, if not the bestselling Resident Evil game as of July 2024. Across all of its ports, along with the remake sales, it has sold just over 20 million units, grossing over $1.2B. Reviews of the game explain its hit success — Electronic Gaming Monthly claimed that the original Resident Evil 2 was “flawless,” praising everything about it, from its gameplay to its graphics to story and atmosphere. OpenCentric deemed the remake the “gold standard” for remakes and “everything a survival-horror game should be.” Unlike Resident Evil 3, critics and players alike had no issues with the changes made to the Resident Evil 2 REmake, such as the removal of several enemy types and changes to certain scenarios. The original Resident Evil 2 was nominated for several awards but did not win any. Reversely, the REmake won five awards throughout 2018 and 2019 and was nominated for ten others between 2018 and 2020. Resident Evil 2 is one of its most known and acclaimed entries, and this list is only halfway done.
2. Resident Evil Village (2021)
Resident Evil Village (2021) and its prequel, Resident Evil 7 (2017) take a departure from the S.T.A.R.S and BSAA-centric storyline to focus on a civilian named Ethan Winters, who finds himself stuck between BOWs and a cult in a mysterious village for which the game is named. After the events of Resident Evil 7, Ethan and his wife Mia flee America to live in Europe to try and re-establish normal lives with their daughter, Rosemary. After Mia is shot by none other than Chris Redfield and Ethan and Rosemary are abducted by unknown forces, Ethan finds himself in a small village. As he looks for his daughter, he discovers the cult holding the village together, as well as those who run it. Throughout the game, Ethan defeats the four Lords of the village, hoping they will have clues and whereabouts to where his missing daughter is. Resident Evil Village gives insight into the game’s universe through the eyes of someone with minimal knowledge and training and just how terrifying it truly is.
Resident Evil Village is tied with Resident Evil 2 (2019) for the fastest selling Resident Evil title, selling three million units within four days of its release. It was also the eighth best-selling game in America in 2021. As of March 2024, over 10 million units of the game have been sold. Resident Evil Village is praised for its variety of gameplay in the different sections and how each was terrifying in their own unique ways. For example, the Reservoir area utilizes thalassophobia as its main horror element, while the House area is a suspense horror area. Much like Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil Village was criticized for how heavily it leaned into action gameplay, especially during the attack on the village at the end. Resident Evil Village was nominated for a total of 21 awards between 2021 and 2023 and won nine of them. The game’s awards and accolades alone prove it to be one of the strongest Resident Evil entries to date.
1. Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)
At the top of the list, and the most recent entry in REmake format as of July 2024, is Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023). Leon S. Kennedy returns, now a jaded government agent after the outbreak in Raccoon City and years of training. He is sent to a remote village in Spain to find the President’s missing daughter, Ashley Graham. While searching for clues, Leon stumbles upon the townspeople, who he comes to learn are infected with a parasite called Las Plagas. He learns that the cult infecting the townspeople, Los Illuminados, are the same people who kidnapped Ashley. Leon travels to the cult’s stronghold, fighting both the infected people around him and his own infection. He is assisted by newcomer and comedy relief Luis Serra and returning femme fatale Ada Wong, while also finding himself face-to-face with his ex-brother in arms Jack Krauser. Leon has to put a stop to the diabolical schemings of Los Illuminados before they send an infected Ashely back to America to destroy the entire government.
Upon its release, Resident Evil 4 (2005) was deemed one of the best video games ever made. Critics praised how in-depth the characters were, as well as the battle choreography and 3D modeling. The game was specifically applauded for its voice acting and performances, despite how goofy and unserious some thought the dialogue was. Reviews for the Resident Evil 4 REmake are much the same. Across both installments of the game, it has sold over 21 million units, just barely overtaking Resident Evil 2’s collective 20 million units sold. Resident Evil 4 (2005) was nominated for a total of 17 awards between 2004 and 2006 and won a shocking 10 of them. Resident Evil 4 (2023) was nominated for 11 and won three, making it the most accoladed Resident Evil title to date. Such high praise from critics combined with it being a fan-favorite title makes Resident Evil 4 the top Resident Evil mainline entry.
While all Resident Evil titles have made their marks in gaming history, Resident Evil 4 takes the cake as the top Resident Evil game. The steady story and gameplay combined with well-timed humor makes the game feel alive in a gritty, grim world flooded with the undead.
Resident Evil 4 Official Trailer
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Author
Cailen Fienemann is a current student at Le Moyne College pursuing her BA in English and Communications with a film studies minor and a creative writing concentration. Though uncertain about her career end-goals, any job that allows her to write is a cherished one indeed.