Summary
Resident Evilbegan its life as a survival horror game, introducing players to the Spencer Mansion, heroes like Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, and the world of morally bankrupt scientists creating creatures known as BOWs. Horror was the name of the game here, immersing players in a world teeming with monsters that were best just avoided rather than engaged with.
But that was then, andResident Evilgames have morphed over the years from entry to entry, spinning new stories with either new or returning characters and new threats to contend with. Some of those games took a step back from a focus on horror, opting for more action-packed gameplay. For those looking to get in on this kind of action, here are thebestResident Evilgames that prioritize combat.
One of Capcom’s forgotten games,Resident Evil Gaidenis a spin-off title set aboard a passenger ship that is beset by a viral zombie outbreak, featuring Leon Kennedy and Barry Burton as the primary protagonists alongside a one-off character named Lucia. The trio team up together on some occasions in hopes of bettering their chances of survival and making it off the ship safely.
For the most part, players explore their surroundings through a top-down perspective, but this all changes when they cross paths with an enemy. Then, the perspective changes to first person, and players have to time their attack to the moving target when it’s on an enemy’s body, which was a bold new direction for the series to take. As such, combat definitely becomes the primary focus during these segments of gameplay. It was not loved by all fans, but it was refreshing nonetheless.
Although it’s far from being the bestResident Evilgame of all time, that is not to sayResident Evil 6is without any redeeming qualities, as it does bring fan-favorite characters from previous games back into the fold, including Leon, Chris, Sherry, and Ada, each of them starring in their own scenario. Some of these characters definitely deserved another shot in the limelight, and it was a joy to have the chance to play some of them once more.
Resident Evil 6does tread the waters of horror once again, as seen in Leon’s campaign, in which not even the President is safe, but it never quite takes the dive, instead remaining a combat-first horror game. The inclusion of co-op gameplay returns from its predecessor, and this was the way this game was designed to be experienced. The AI is passable enough that players could go alone if they wanted to, but the game’s flaws are more easily missed with a friend joining in on the zombie-shooting fun.
Resident Evilgames are mostly known for being survival horror or action horror games, putting the player in the role of the unfortunate protagonist they control over the course of the game. Butit isn’t immune to spin-off games, as the series spawned some light-gun titles likeThe Darkside Chronicles.
A reimagining ofResident Evil 2andCode: Veronica, players will no doubt recognize some familiar faces and story beats, albeit wrapped up in a completely different style of game. As an on-rails shooter, there is no possibility for exploration, placing the sole focus of the gameplay on mowing down zombies and boss monsters in each scenario. It’s just a bit of fun for players who are looking for satisfying combat and not a full-on horror game experience.
ThoughResident Evil 4was the first to shift further into the realm of combat,Resident Evil 5took things even further, placing combat as its main focus. The brightness of the setting and the constant companionship of Sheva dispelled almost all the tension, making combat and action the core elements of this game, especially if the player had a friend join in.
Searching for a black-market dealer of BOWs, Chris and Sheva find themselves enmeshed in a plot that brings back series-famous villainAlbert Wesker at his absolute best. His antics were totally over-the-top, befitting of a cheesy action game rather than straight-edged horror. He is one of the saving graces of this divisive title, and so is the option to share the action with a friend, as the game was definitely designed for co-op play.
Asthe next game to receive a remakeafter 2019’sResident Evil 2, many fans were expecting it to be a similar experience with a tense atmosphere and a focus on horror. However,Resident Evil 3defied these expectations by making it more combat-focused and almost like a cinematic action piece. Nemesis was too scripted to be an effective stalker, and more often than not, Jill was forced into physical confrontations.
But that is not to say it was all bad. A shorter experience than many expected, it shed some sections fans liked from the original game, but it did result in a more tight-knit experience that didn’t outstay its welcome, remaining exciting until the end. Each encounter with Nemesis provided a thrilling battle, which made up almost all the boss fights, right until the very last fight with the mutated creature.
Ethan’s storyline culminated inResident Evil Village, a game that saw him tracking down another member of his whisked away family, this time his and Mia’s infant daughter Rosemary.Cult-leader Mother Miranda intended to use her as part of a ritualto bring back her own dead daughter Eveline, but of course, Ethan wasn’t about to sit back and let that happen.
Villageoverall straddles the line between horror and combat, as the enemies are genuinely frightening, but fighting is more or less encouraged with its smooth gameplay and relentless enemies. Then, players will reach the gameplay section that has them controlling Chris Redfield, pushing the game straight off the fence onto the side of combat. Playing as a legacy character was an exciting opportunity for many fans, and it showcased that Chris still had some years of fighting left in him.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesisis the definitive way to experience Jill’s solo-outing as she does her best to evade the dangers of Raccoon City and the titular monster that relentlessly pursues her throughout the game. He always has a way of showing up just when players are starting to feel freed from his oppressive hunt, usually inducing genuine shocks as he does so.
But there is no mistake to be made; the originalRE3is still an action horror game through and through. Jill jumps from action sequence to action sequence with hardly any breathing room, racing against the clock before the US government turns the city to glass, as the zombie infestation has rapidly spun out of control. For those looking for an action-packedResident Evil, this entry is a must-play.
After a successful trio of horror experiences cameResident Evil 4, which brought back the rookie cop from the second game, who had since been promoted to an agent under the direct orders of the president. His latest mission tasks him with traveling to a remote Spanish village where the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, was last seen. Entering the village, he tries to question the locals about her location, and that is when things take a turn from the worst.
Everyone in the village is infected with a parasite called Las Plagas, and Leon now has to fight his way through the enemies to safely extract Ashley. The gun gameplay is a core part of the title, especially the Wii version, which usesmotion controls for a more immersive combat experience. Combine that with sequences such as the knife fight with Krauser and the laser room, and this game has all the makings of an action extravaganza.
