8 Best Resident Evil Games That Prioritize Horror

Summary

Resident Evil’s roots lie in survival horror experiences, offering iconic horror games in the franchise’s expansive history.
Capcom’s horror-focused titles elicit unbridled terror, showcasing mastery in level and monster design.
The original Resident Evil game of 1996 was revolutionary, introducing chilling elements like zombies and eerie environments.

Though Resident Evil has diverged into more action-oriented games with some of its more recent outings, its roots as a survival horror franchise cannot be forgotten. Earlier games in the franchise relied on a more slow-paced, horror-heavy experience, featuring creepy enemies, eerie locations, and a tense atmosphere that had players white-knuckling their controller as they braved that next corner.

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Best Resident Evil Games, Ranked

The Resident Evil series is expansive, housing some of the best action and horror games ever made.

These horror-focused titles show what Capcom is truly capable of, as they can elicit feelings of unbridled terror even when the player is armed to the teeth with weaponry, thanks to their mastery over level and monster design. These Resident Evil titles in particular are notorious for scaring the living hell out of their players.

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Resident Evil

The Game That Started It All

It would be remiss to talk about Resident Evil without mentioning the game that started it all: the original game released back in 1996. It introduced players to the world of morally bankrupt scientists, BOWs, and the heroes who would stand against them, such as Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, both playable in this game. Seeking the safety of the mysterious mansion after being beset by a pack of rabid dogs, Jill, Chris, Barry, and Wesker all separate and explore the mansion, meeting the horrors within.

Though many might prefer to check out more modern titles and remakes, the original still stands as a great game, even if just for nostalgia more than anything. At its time, it was revolutionary — and downright scary. Who could forget scares such as that slow-turn of the original zombie, or the jumpscare of zombie dogs leaping through the windows? Horror was the aim of the game here, as combat was more discouraged than anything due to scant resources. This meant players more often than not had to brave corridors full of the shuffling undead.

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Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

This Series-Famous Monster Terrorized Players

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis brought back series icon Jill Valentine from the first game, this time off-duty in Raccoon City — or so she thinks. Her R&R is interrupted when the hulking juggernaut known as Nemesis is unleashed, along with the virus that mutates the citizens into zombies. Not only does Jill need to escape these monsters and leave the city while she still can, as the American government deem it unsalvageable and have determined to turn it into glass.

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Resident Evil 3 was definitely more cinematic than its predecessors thanks to the setting and more notable Nemesis. From the player’s first encounter with him, he becomes one of the scariest stalker enemies in all of gaming. Armed, dangerous, and nigh on unkillable, his inclusion in this game made Resident Evil 3 the terrifying game experience it is.

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Resident Evil: Revelations

Brought Back Survival Horror

After the divisive horror-action titles Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 came Revelations, which did help the series get back on track. Bringing back playable characters Jill and Chris, and teaming them up with new partners, Jill’s campaign in particular was fraught with tension fans had been hoping would return to the franchise.

Aboard an abandoned cruise ship called the Queen Zenobia in search of Chris, the creaky derelict is dark, claustrophobic, and everything a survival horror setting should be. Populated by terrifying enemies such as the mutated Rachel Foley and Scagdead, Revelations was the true horror experience fans needed after their jaunts into Capcom’s more action-oriented games.

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Resident Evil Village

House Beneviento Dove Deep Into Psychological Horror

Resident Evil Village

Released: May 7, 2021
ESRB: m

After the success of Resident Evil 7 came Resident Evil Village, continuing Ethan’s story as he tries to settle down with his family in Romania. That is, until Chris shows up one night, guns down “Mia” and kidnaps his daughter without offering any sort of reason. The convoy is attacked, and Rosemary is taken deep into a remote, snow-capped village, where Ethan begins his search.

While Village does have smooth combat mechanics designed to be used, there is one particular area where the player is stripped of equipment and must go through a mind-bending experience completely vulnerable. That place is, of course, House Beneviento, the part of the game in which Capcom thought it would be fun to inject some true psychological horror. It was fun indeed, but also truly horrifying when a giant fetus drags itself out of the pitch black towards Ethan, whose only defense is to run and hide.

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Resident Evil Remake

New Monsters & Improved Graphics Elevate The Terror Of This Title

Resident Evil

Systems

Released: April 30, 2002
ESRB: Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence

The original Resident Evil game was revolutionary, popularizing survival horror, zombies, and kicking off a legendary franchise. It is no surprise fans still laud the game decades later, but the 2002 remake is also deserving plenty of accolades. Remaining faithful to the story of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team exploring the Spencer Mansion as they investigate the Arklay Mountains, the remake breathes new life into this classic title.

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The graphics were truly impressive, still holding up by today’s standards, and there were some additions that made the game that much scarier. Now, players have the chance to encounter Crimson Heads, the more powerful and dangerous versions of zombies, and the tragic yet terrifying Lisa Trevor. Resident Evil was already a frightening enough outing, but these new dangers raise the bar.

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Resident Evil 4 (2023)

The Remake Favored A Darker Aesthetic

While Resident Evil 5 and 6 are known for being the most action-heavy titles from the main franchise, Capcom did initially tread those waters with Resident Evil 4, resulting in a game that straddled the line between them, as there was a village filled with angry infected people between him and the exit, all deadset on taking Ashley back to their leader. But then came the remake, inspired by their earlier remakes that resulted in some truly terrifying experiences.

Resident Evil 4 followed in their footsteps, resulting in a game that was far grittier, scarier and more serious than the original, although it did still contain that one iconic Leon line fans know and love. While it still maintained a healthy dose of combat as each area swarmed with enemies, there were still plenty of scary moments that had players perched on the edge of their seats, such as falling through the floor right in front of the garrador — and that infamous first glimpse of a regenerator.

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Resident Evil 2 (2019)

A Near-Perfect Remake

After the success of the (numerous) Resident Evil remakes, Capcom decided to shift their focus onto other titles in the franchise, slapping Resident Evil 2 into the brand-new engine to give it a modern makeover. The story is much the same, with student Claire and rookie cop Leon fleeing inside the police station after witnessing the zombie outbreak ravaging the streets, and seeing that inside isn’t that much safer.

There was some trimming done to Leon and Claire’s campaigns, but this cut content allowed them to make a more streamlined experience fraught with terror and tension. Zombies, lickers, William Birkin, and Mr. X are all here ready to terrify the players. Seeing any of their shapes lunging out of the shadows is truly terrifying, especially the latter stalker enemy. Only the safe rooms offer a reprieve from his relentless pursuit, but players know eventually, they need to work up the nerve to leave.

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Resident Evil 7

The Baker Family Are As Relentless As They Are Deadly

Resident Evil 7 was one of the most anticipated Resident Evil games leading up to its release, as it was marketed brilliantly with its playable teaser, which promised to bring new heights of horror into the franchise. And then, when players finally got to step into the shoes of new protagonist Ethan Winters, they were not disappointed. The backwater Louisiana setting was perfect for its southern gothic aesthetic, creating a sense of isolation.

Unfortunately, players aren’t at all alone here, as there are plenty of mold-zombies and the Baker family to keep them company. The Bakers are relentless in their pursuit of the player, especially the patriarch, Jack, who chases them in the most nerve-wrecking game of cat and mouse, constantly returning even after players think they have finished him off for good. Though there is a good amount of action in this game, it never releases the players from its icy grip of unrelenting terror.

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The Scariest Horror Video Games Of All Time, Ranked

From the torture of Doki Doki Literature Club to the eerieness of Resident Evil and Silent Hill, here are the scariest horror video games of all time.