Every Mainline Resident Evil Game, Ranked From Worst to Best

After decades of cinematic misfires, we finally have a genuinely exceptional video game film adaptation—well, to an extent. Zach Cregger’s interpretation of Resident Evil has won over critics, who have lauded the horror picture for its delightfully whimsical spirit. The sole caveat is that it bears very little resemblance to the established canon and characters of the original games. Instead, it charts an independent course within the lore, which is arguably for the best given how labyrinthine the franchise’s overarching narrative has become.

However, if experiencing the film has sparked your curiosity about diving into that expansive multimedia saga, you have plenty of paths to choose from. The franchise offers numerous entry points spanning dozens of mainline titles and spin-offs. If you want to experience the core narrative arc without getting bogged down in supplemental world-building, there are 11 primary installments to tackle—though the quality fluctuates significantly across the board. To help you navigate this sprawling catalog, we have curated an updated ranking of the mainline series, featuring this year’s Resident Evil Requiem. Please note that original releases and their respective remakes are grouped together here, as our focus rests entirely on where each story arc fits into the overarching timeline.

11
Resident Evil 5

Image: Capcom

There are certainly purists who will passionately defend Resident Evil 5 as a misunderstood masterpiece. They will argue that its narrative possesses far more subtlety than its poor reputation suggests, or that its flaws miraculously vanish when played in co-op. To each their own, naturally—yet I would willingly face a pack of infected hounds rather than endure a replay of Resident Evil 5. If you remain an ardent champion of the title, I strongly urge you to revisit it for a stark reminder of just how agonizingly clunky a third-person shooter can feel after aging like forgotten provisions.

10
Resident Evil 6

Image: Capcom

To be entirely transparent, I suppose I qualify as a Resident Evil 6 apologist. I recognize the sheer hypocrisy of that stance immediately after dismissing Resident Evil 5 defenders, but hear me out: Resident Evil 6 genuinely understands the franchise’s intrinsic tonal identity. It embraces the delightfully campy, B-movie sensibilities of the earliest entries and elevates them to dizzying, absurd heights. While the mechanics feel rough and certain plotlines are utter misfires, Leon’s campaign delivers an underrated dose of quintessential franchise eccentricity that truly deserves recognition.

9
Resident Evil 0

Resident Evil 0 boasts a phenomenal initial premise that the actual gameplay struggles to sustain. Kicking off aboard a runaway train, the prequel brilliantly subverts—or at least dramatically extends—the intricate puzzle-box mechanics established by its predecessors. Yet, beyond that unforgettable opening set piece, Resident Evil 0 ultimately functions primarily as supplemental fan service designed to complement the GameCube’s magnificent Resident Evil remake.

8
Resident Evil Code: Veronica

Image: Capcom

Code: Veronica belongs to that rare echelon of titles whose ultimate legacy will likely be defined by a long-overdue modern remake. Upon its original release, it was celebrated as a crowning triumph for a franchise riding the crest of its success. Revisit it today, however, and you will find yourself grappling with archaic tank controls just to experience Claire Redfield’s harrowing journey. The friction is well worth enduring, though we can safely expect Code: Veronica to spark a well-deserved critical reappraisal in the near future.

7
Resident Evil Village

Image: Capcom

Depending on how your personal tastes align with Resident Evil Village’s distinct set pieces, this entry could comfortably land near the top or the bottom of any ranking. The terrifying dollhouse sequence? Easily some of the finest hours the series has ever produced. The industrial Frankenstein factory? Considerably less so. It is undeniably a disjointed experience, but that erratic nature forms the core of Village’s idiosyncratic charm; its rollercoaster-like storytelling ensures an eclectic adventure where virtually everyone will find at least one segment to adore.

6
Resident Evil 3

Image: Capcom

Although its 2020 remake didn’t quite capture the transformative magic of 2019’s Resident Evil 2 overhaul, the original Resident Evil 3: Nemesis remains an extraordinary achievement. The relentless, stalking presence of Nemesis introduced an iconic template for psychological terror that the series continues to leverage brilliantly. Furthermore, it stands as one of the few installments to place Jill Valentine firmly in the spotlight, and her fierce resilience elevates both the classic title and its modern reimagining.

5
Resident Evil Requiem

Image: Capcom via Polygon

A bit more time must inevitably elapse before we can accurately gauge how Resident Evil Requiem stacks up against the pantheon of franchise greats, but for now, it comfortably secures a spot in the upper echelons. This is largely attributable to a compelling dual-protagonist structure that expertly balances Grace Ashcroft’s deeply personal nightmare while confronting the lingering trauma of Raccoon City’s destruction through Leon S. Kennedy’s experienced gaze. Its seamless oscillation between these dual perspectives—fluidly transitioning from harrowing survival horror to breathless action—makes for a brilliantly executed narrative capstone.

4
Resident Evil 7

Capcom

Following a string of critically disappointing releases, the franchise appeared entirely dead in the water by 2017, making Resident Evil 7 a desperately needed transfusion of vitality. By pivoting away from blockbuster action back toward visceral survival horror, the sequel delivered hands-down the most terrifying experience in series history. While Ethan Winters’ grim struggle against the Baker family’s fungal menace may lack the historical weight of the Raccoon City arc, Resident Evil 7 definitively proved that this infected universe still held boundless potential for fresh, inventive storytelling.

3
Resident Evil

Image: Capcom

Whether you choose to experience the seminal PlayStation original or its masterful GameCube remake, overlooking the franchise’s inaugural outing is simply out of the question. It deserves your attention not merely for laying down the foundational narrative and mechanical blueprints, but because it remains the most laser-focused entry in the entire canon. The Spencer Mansion endures as an architectural marvel dripping with oppressive atmosphere, punctuated by unforgettable jump scares, iconic boss encounters, and arguably the finest ensemble cast ever assembled within the franchise.

2
Resident Evil 2

Capcom

Prior to the magnificent 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2, I likely would have given the original title a slight edge here. However, Capcom’s phenomenal modern revisit served as an exquisite reminder that Leon and Claire’s harrowing ordeal within the Raccoon City Police Department stands as an all-time classic horror narrative. It successfully broadened the scope of the mythos while retaining an intimate, claustrophobic sense of dread. Furthermore, it serves as a brilliant introduction for Leon, establishing him immediately as a compelling, greenhorn protagonist thrust hopelessly out of his depth. It is difficult to envision the franchise achieving its current cultural footprint without his unforgettable debut.

 

Source: Polygon