Is it Necessary to Play Resident Evil in Order?
The Resident Evil franchise has been a staple in the gaming world for over two decades, with its first game released in 1996. With 25 games in the main series, plus numerous spin-offs and remakes, it can be overwhelming for newcomers to know where to start. One of the biggest questions on many players’ minds is whether it’s necessary to play the games in order to fully understand the story and characters. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide insight into the Resident Evil universe.
Direct Answer
No, it’s not necessary to play the Resident Evil games in order. While the series does feature a complex narrative with connections between games, each installment can be enjoyed as a standalone experience. The stories are designed to be relatively self-contained, with minor connections between games. This means that new players can jump into the series at any point and still enjoy the gameplay and story.
Playing Out of Order: Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are some benefits and drawbacks to playing the Resident Evil games out of order:
Benefits:
• New players can jump in at any point: As mentioned earlier, the games are designed to be standalone, so new players can start with any game in the series.
• More flexibility: Players can choose which games they want to play and in what order, allowing them to focus on specific titles or characters.
• Different perspectives: Playing games out of order can offer different perspectives on the characters and story, as the player’s understanding of the universe evolves.
Drawbacks:
• Confusion: Playing the games out of order may lead to confusion regarding characters, plotlines, or events, especially for fans of the series.
• Missed connections: Some connections between games might be missed, which could impact the overall understanding of the story.
• Disconnection from the broader narrative: Playing games out of order may disconnect the player from the broader narrative and character arcs, reducing the emotional impact of key events.
A suggested order for new players
If you’re new to the Resident Evil series and want to play the games in a specific order to get the most out of the story, here’s a suggested order:
1. Resident Evil (1996): Start with the original game to get a feel for the series’ early days.
2. Resident Evil 2 (1998): Play the original Resident Evil 2, which is a significant turning point in the series’ narrative.
3. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999): Continue with the original Resident Evil 3, which builds upon the events of Resident Evil 2.
4. Resident Evil: Code Veronica (2000): Play this game, which serves as a bridge between the original series and the new millennium.
5. Resident Evil 4 (2005): Jump into the more action-oriented Resident Evil 4, which sets the tone for the series’ shift towards action.
6. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017): Experience the more horror-focused Resident Evil 7, which rebooted the series with a new narrative and characters.
Table: Connection between games
Here’s a table highlighting the connections between games in the Resident Evil series:
| Game | Connection to Previous Game(s) |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil 0 | Prequel to the original Resident Evil |
| Resident Evil 1 | Original game, introducing the series’ narrative and characters |
| Resident Evil 2 | Direct sequel to Resident Evil 1, introducing new characters and plotlines |
| Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | Direct sequel to Resident Evil 2, continuing the story |
| Resident Evil: Code Veronica | Prequel to Resident Evil 4, setting the stage for the next generation |
| Resident Evil 4 | Direct sequel to Resident Evil: Code Veronica, introducing new characters and gameplay mechanics |
| Resident Evil 5 | Sequel to Resident Evil 4, continuing the story of Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar |
| Resident Evil 6 | Sequel to Resident Evil 5, introducing new characters and plotlines |
| Resident Evil 7: Biohazard | Reboot of the series, introducing new characters and a new narrative |
In conclusion, while playing the Resident Evil games in order can provide a richer understanding of the series’ narrative and characters, it’s not necessary to play the games in order to enjoy them. New players can jump into the series at any point and still appreciate the gameplay and story. However, for those interested in exploring the series’ complex narrative, a suggested order is provided above to help guide their journey through the Resident Evil universe.