Should I Play Resident Evil 1 Before 5? A Survivor’s Dilemma
The Resident Evil franchise has been a staple in the gaming world for over two decades, with seven mainline games and multiple spin-offs. For players new to the series or new to survival horror games in general, the question often arises: Do I need to play Resident Evil 1 to fully appreciate Resident Evil 5? The answer lies in the franchise’s chronological events, plot inconsistencies, and gameplay improvements.
Are the Games Chronologically Interconnected?
Technically, no, you don’t need to play each Resident Evil game in consecutive order to understand the series. Each game has self-contained stories, with RE1 (Spencer Mansion incident), RE2 (Raccoon City incident), and RE5 (the death of Albert Wesker) being the three most crucial events that directly connect each game to each other. The rest of the games can be played at any time, with side stories and prequels providing additional context without interfering with the main storyline. Resident Evil games are designed to be flexible in terms of playorder.
Plot Continuity and Character Developments
While each game does have its own storyline, there are some plots and characters that appear consistently throughout the series. For example, characters like Chris Redfield and Barry Burton appear in multiple games, with their stories spanning across different titles. Characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield were introduced in RE2, but their stories were set before the events of RE1. Character profiles and backstories are maintained across games, ensuring consistent continuity.
Gameplay Innovations
Now let’s talk about gameplay innovations between games. Resident Evil 2 built upon the survival horror mechanics established in RE1, but with improved graphics and pacing. Resident Evil 3 took everything from RE2 and escalated the action, adding motorbike chases and real-time combat. Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, revolutionized the game engine, introducing the over-the-shoulder camera style and quick-time events.
Resident Evil 5, released in 2009, utilized the same engine but with improved graphics and larger environments. This could be seen as a linear, action-oriented take on the survival horror genre.
Should I Play RE1 Before RE5?
In conclusion, no, you don’t absolutely need to play Resident Evil 1 before Resident Evil 5. The storyline is self-contained, but playing RE1, RE2, and RE3 will provide a clearer understanding of the events preceding RE5. Those games will also showcase different gameplay mechanics and introduce classic characters.
Recommended Game Order:
For optimal enjoyment, consider the following game order:
- Resident Evil: The original survival horror classic.
- Resident Evil 2: A refined survival horror experience with improved graphics.
- Resident Evil 3: More intense action and real-time combat.
- Resident Evil 4: A game-changer, introducing the over-the-shoulder camera and QTEs.
- Resident Evil 5: The modern-era action-horror chapter.
In the grand scheme of things, a player can jump into either RE1 or RE5 without feeling lost, with the understanding that both experiences will be different and refreshing
In summary, Resident Evil games are designed with flexibility in mind, ensuring that players can enter and exit the series at different points without disrupting the experience.