With Resident Evil Requiem dominating 2026 sales charts and the Code Veronica remake just announced at Summer Game Fest, the RE franchise is hotter than it's been in decades. But with 10+ mainline games across 28 years, where do you actually start?
This guide ranks every mainline Resident Evil game with honest BUY, WAIT, SKIP, or DEPENDS verdicts. We've organized them by recommendation order — not release order — so you can jump straight to the best ones.
QUICK GUIDE
New to RE? Start with RE4 Remake or Requiem Want pure horror? RE2 Remake → RE7 → Village Want the full story? RE1 HD → RE0 → RE2 → RE3 → RE4 → RE5 → RE6 → RE7 → Village → RequiemEvery Resident Evil Game, Ranked by Verdict
1. Resident Evil Requiem (2026)
BUYThe crown jewel. Requiem ties together decades of RE lore with the best survival horror gameplay in the franchise. The definitive modern RE experience and the best-selling game of 2026. Start here if you only play one.
Who it's for: Best entry point for newcomers who want modern gameplay.
2. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
BUYCapcom rebuilt RE4 from the ground up and somehow made a masterpiece even better. Tight over-the-shoulder action, incredible atmosphere, and Ashley is no longer insufferable. This is peak action-horror.
Who it's for: Best for players who prefer action over pure horror.
3. Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)
BUYThe gold standard remake. Raccoon City has never looked this terrifying. Mr. X stalking you through the police station is one of gaming's most memorable experiences. Two campaigns (Leon and Claire) with different perspectives.
Who it's for: Best pure survival horror experience in the franchise.
4. Resident Evil Village (2021)
BUYEthan Winters returns in a gothic horror adventure that shifts between horror subgenres — from vampire castles to puppet houses to full-blown FPS. Lady Dimitrescu alone sold millions of copies. The Shadows of Rose DLC wraps up Ethan's story.
Who it's for: Most accessible RE for horror-averse players.
5. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
BUYThe game that saved the franchise. First-person survival horror in a Louisiana bayou with the Baker family. Genuinely terrifying in the first half, with a weaker second half. The foundation for everything that came after (Village, Requiem).
Who it's for: Play before Village — they're a connected story.
6. Resident Evil HD Remaster (2015)
BUYThe original Spencer Mansion incident, remastered beautifully. Fixed camera angles, tank controls (optional), and genuine scares. This is where the franchise mythology begins. Still holds up thanks to gorgeous pre-rendered backgrounds.
Who it's for: For purists and lore completionists.
7. Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)
WAITSolid but short — you can finish it in 5-6 hours. Nemesis doesn't stalk you as persistently as the original. Good action, but light on content compared to RE2 Remake. Best bought on deep sale.
Who it's for: Fun but doesn't justify full price.
8. Resident Evil 5 (2009)
DEPENDSPeak co-op RE. Playing with a friend is a blast — playing solo with the AI partner is frustrating. More action than horror. Chris punches a boulder. It's exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.
Who it's for: BUY if you have a co-op partner. SKIP if solo.
9. Resident Evil 6 (2012)
SKIPThe franchise's identity crisis. Four campaigns trying to be four different games and not excelling at any of them. Bloated, confusing, and the furthest the series has strayed from what makes RE great. Only for completionists.
Who it's for: The low point that led to RE7's soft reboot.
10. Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster (2016)
WAITThe prequel to RE1. Partner-swapping mechanic between Rebecca and Billy is interesting but the item management is brutal. For hardcore fans who've played everything else and want more classic-style RE.
Who it's for: Play after RE1 HD if you want the full origin story.
Where to Start in 2026
If you want modern gameplay: Start with RE4 Remake. It's the most polished, accessible, and fun RE game ever made. Then play Requiem.
If you want pure survival horror: Start with RE2 Remake. It's the perfect balance of tension, puzzle-solving, and resource management. Then play RE7 and Village in order.
If you want the full lore experience: Start with RE1 HD Remaster and work through chronologically. It's a commitment, but the franchise rewards it.
What About the Remakes?
With the Code Veronica remake announced at Summer Game Fest 2026, Capcom is clearly working through the back catalog. Our advice: play the remakes when available, original when not. The remakes aren't just visual upgrades — they're rebuilt from scratch with modern design sensibilities.
More RE Content
For our detailed review of the latest entry, see Should I Buy Resident Evil Requiem? and our comparison RE Requiem vs Silent Hill 2 Remake.