“Enter the survival horror…”
This week on Side 4 is Resident Evil Week; with the imminent release of the Resident Evil 3 remake this upcoming Friday, I thought it would be fun to look about at the previous entries of this long-running and legendary horror franchise and see which I consider the best. This is all my own personal opinion by the way, so do not go raising an army (of the dead) against me if you disagree!
Number 10 - Resident Evil 6
Although it is not as refined nor as compelling and terrifying as 4 and 5, Resident Evil 6 is still an enjoyable entry in the series for a number of reasons. The story is pretty good and it is great to see a wide cast of characters both old and new team up or interact with one another. Graphically, the game looks nice and the action-oriented combat is still a lot of fun, even after all these years.
Number 9 - Resident Evil Code: Veronica
I remember first playing this game back when it was released for the Sega Dreamcast and many of Code: Veronica’s elements have stuck with me since then. The story was dramatic and the action was good, with a wide variety of enemies, and even though Claire was the star of the show, Chris and Wesker continued the next chapter of their rivalry as well. The haunting musical score is probably my favorite aspect of this game, as the elegant yet graciously-dark music suits the story well.
Number 8 - Resident Evil 2 [1998]
As with any great sequel, Resident Evil 2 built upon the strengths of its predecessor and provided gamers with an unforgettable survival horror adventure. It introduced us to fascinating and well-loved characters, the puzzles and setting were mind-boggling, and the monsters and battles were equal parts challenging and terrifying. The eerie music and well-written story are what makes 2 so memorable to me and it’s understandable why it is still one of the most beloved games in the franchise.
Number 7 - Resident Evil Zero
Resident Evil Zero served as a great prequel to the original video game, showing how Rebecca Chambers finds herself in the middle of a nightmare. Although the music was excellent, the monsters were badass, and the gameplay was first-rate, the game’s greatest strength is the astounding graphics: the beautiful painted backgrounds and the grim atmosphere were brilliant back when it was first released and the visuals still hold up very well, even today with the relatively recent high definition remaster.
Number 6 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Largely considered a fantastic return to form for the series, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard managed to masterfully mix both the old and the new, by taking the saga back to its survival horror roots and introducing many new elements at the same time. The shift to a first-person perspective was a fantastic new twist that allowed the player to experience and explore this fresh take on survival horror in an immersive fashion. The new characters, monsters, and horrors were great to follow and I am excited to see where the inevitable eighth installment of the series will take us.
Number 5 - Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Building upon what came before it, Resident Evil 3 is the most technically refined of the first generation of Resident Evil games in many ways. Not only that, it also had a solid story with Jill taking the center stage and a plethora of new and interesting characters join her as they try to escape both Raccoon City and the most iconic and absolutely terrifying villain in the entire saga: the titular bioweapon Nemesis. Each battle with him is a grueling bout, with every victory providing both a sense of accomplishment but also the eerie knowing that he will return soon enough; I absolutely cannot wait to face him once again in the upcoming remake!
Number 4 - Resident Evil 5
Taking what was accomplished with the previous entry in the franchise and enhancing and enriching every aspect, Resident Evil 5 is undoubtedly one of the best of the saga. The story was a grand and thrilling journey that brought back fan-favorite heroes like Chris and Jill but it also introduced us to new ones like Sheva and Josh; it also showed the depths of the darkness within the ultimate antagonist of the series, Albert Wesker. Overall, it was an excellent game with an outstanding campaign, an absolutely fun Mercenaries mode, and an excellent assortment of monsters to mow down.
Number 3 - Resident Evil [2002]
Although the first Resident Evil was a great achievement in the survival horror genre, by the time 2002 rolled around it was already looking outdated. Enter this masterful remake, a visually stunning and technically striking video game, even by today’s standards. The music, the story, the setting, the gameplay, the characters, the terror, all of these elements came together in such an extraordinary way!
Number 2 - Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 is without a doubt my favorite game in the entire series, for a number of reasons. Not only did it manage to maintain the atmosphere of terror from previous games, it also revolutionized the entire franchise with its shift towards a third-person perspective and a shift away from zombies altogether. It was great to see Leon back in action and his journey turned out to be one of the most unforgettable video game experiences ever.
Number 1 - Resident Evil 2 [2019]
It can be said that the Resident Evil 2 remake is without a doubt the pinnacle of entire series: it skillfully maintained the mood of piercing horror of the first entries while at the same time perfecting the third-person action mechanics of later titles. Visually, this remake is both gorgeous and gory, the animation, cutscenes, and acting are all top-notch, and the music and sound design provide the perfect atmosphere for this artful retelling of Leon and Claire’s first battles against the undead. I cannot fully express what a thrill it was to see Resident Evil 2 redone in such a wonderful fashion and I am glad Jill and Nemesis are getting the same treatment with the upcoming Resident Evil 3 remake…
