Resident Evil: where to start and what to buy

Resident Evil has spent three decades mixing mansions, viruses, and people who really should stay down. In the store you’ll see 90s originals, remakes, Gold Editions, spin-offs, and Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth main entry, out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2.

This guide covers where to start and what to buy.

What Resident Evil is (no spoilers)

Resident Evil (Biohazard in Japan) is Capcom survival horror, sometimes leaning action: tight spaces, limited inventory, puzzles, monsters, and corporations with terrible ideas.

Each entry shifts setting and lead character, but the core stays the same. You don’t need the whole saga to enjoy the latest: there are three narrative blocks, and you can pick where to jump in.

How they connect

Three narrative blocks. You don’t have to play them all; what matters is knowing what comes after what if you want to follow one story line.

1. Raccoon City and surroundings (RE0 through RE3, then Code: Veronica): the origin of the biological disaster, the mansion, and the fall of the city.
2. Global action (RE4 through RE6): years later, more cinematic missions than pure horror; not direct sequels to each other, but they share characters (Leon, Chris, Ada…).
3. Winters saga (RE7 → Village → Requiem): modern first-person line; these do chain together.

Who comes after whom

I’ve tried to simplify in this table which game follows which. Everything is grouped by timeline arc: RE1 for the classic line and RE7 as the starting point for the modern games.

For Requiem, RE7 and Village are enough. The rest adds lore references, not requirements.

Why not everything is in the carousel

• Code: Veronica: Claire and Chris chapter between Raccoon and RE4; not in the carousel (there’s a dedicated section at the end of the article).
• Revelations and spin-offs: not mainline numbering; we left them out of the carousel.

The games that matter (story order)

The cards below follow the table’s chronological order. Screenshots so you can see tone and setting at each stage.

Packs and editions: where to save

Capcom doesn’t sell a “complete saga pack”, but there are bundles worth it if you already know which block you want. Always compare against buying separately on sale. Table prices are Steam list prices (Spain); they drop hard in sales, so keep an eye out.

Some packs include Gold or Deluxe editions, which add extra content.

Where to start

Game Pass and PS Plus rotate catalogs: check today’s listing before paying. More context in Game Pass explained and PS Plus explained.

What you can skip

• The original if you already own the remake of the same game.
• RE0 until the mansion classic itch hits.
• Odd spin-offs (Survivor, Outbreak…): curiosity, not main thread.
• RE5 and RE6 if you want tense horror; they’re action and co-op.
• Revelations until extra lore interests you.
• Code: Veronica HD if you can wait for the Veronica remake (2027).

Resident Evil Veronica (2027)

Capcom announced Resident Evil Veronica, a remake of 2000’s Code: Veronica: Claire and Chris on an Umbrella island, after the Raccoon block and before RE4. Expected in 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC; it’s on our release calendar.

If you haven’t played it yet, better wait for this remake than grab the old HD unless you’re already a completionist.

Bottom line

Pick the classic saga starting with RE1, or the modern line from RE7 through to Requiem.

Resident Evil · Requiem