Resident Evil Games in Chronological Order: The Complete Timeline
For over two decades, Capcom’s Resident Evil has defined the survival horror genre, weaving a complex and sprawling narrative of bioweapons, corporate conspiracies, and heroic survivors. With numerous mainline entries, remakes, and spin-offs, jumping into the series can be a daunting task. While release order is a perfectly valid way to experience the games, playing them chronologically offers a unique perspective on the unfolding story, from the initial Raccoon City outbreak to the modern-day horrors faced by a new generation.
If you’re looking to experience the entire saga as it happened in-universe, we've broken down the complete chronological timeline of the mainline Resident Evil games.
The Raccoon City Saga (1998)
The story begins in the fateful year of 1998, with a series of connected events that sealed the doom of a Midwestern American town and unleashed the Umbrella Corporation's creations upon the world.
- Resident Evil 0 (July 1998): The official starting point of the timeline, this prequel follows S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team medic Rebecca Chambers and escaped convict Billy Coen as they uncover the horrifying origins of the T-Virus aboard a derailed train and in a sinister training facility. It directly sets the stage for the events of the first game.
- Resident Evil (July 1998): Taking place just hours after Resident Evil 0 concludes, this is the iconic game that started it all. S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team, including Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, investigates the disappearance of Bravo Team and finds themselves trapped in the eerie Spencer Mansion, a house of horrors filled with zombies and monstrous bio-organic weapons (B.O.W.s). The 2002 Remake (and its HD Remaster) is widely considered the definitive way to experience this chilling classic.
- Resident Evil 3 (September - October 1998): The Raccoon City outbreak is in full swing. This story begins shortly before the events of Resident Evil 2 and concludes after them. It follows S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine as she makes a desperate attempt to escape the zombie-infested city while being relentlessly hunted by Nemesis, a highly intelligent and seemingly unstoppable Tyrant. The 2020 Remake is the ideal modern version.
- Resident Evil 2 (September 1998): Occurring concurrently with Jill’s ordeal, this entry introduces two of the series' most beloved protagonists: rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy on his first day on the job and college student Claire Redfield, searching for her brother, Chris. Their paths cross as they navigate the chaos of the Raccoon City Police Department and uncover the depths of Umbrella’s evil. The 2019 Remake is a masterclass in modern survival horror.
- Resident Evil: Code Veronica (December 1998): Three months after surviving Raccoon City, Claire Redfield’s search for her brother leads her to an Umbrella facility on Rockfort Island. This crucial chapter evolves the story significantly, reintroducing Chris Redfield and delving deeper into the twisted history of the corporation's founders.
The Post-Umbrella Era (2004 - 2013)
With Umbrella’s public downfall, the threat of bioterrorism spreads globally, forcing the series’ heroes to combat new plagues and new villains on a much larger scale.
- Resident Evil 4 (2004): Six years after Raccoon City, Leon S. Kennedy is a U.S. government agent tasked with rescuing the president's daughter, Ashley Graham, from a mysterious cult in rural Europe. He discovers a new parasitic threat known as Las Plagas, marking a significant shift in the series toward more action-oriented gameplay. The 2023 Remake is the definitive modern experience.
- Resident Evil: Revelations (2005): Set between the events of RE4 and RE5, this game bridges the gap and sees Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield investigating a new bioterrorist threat aboard a derelict cruise ship.
- Resident Evil 5 (2009): Chris Redfield, now an agent for the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), travels to Kijuju, Africa. Alongside his new partner Sheva Alomar, he uncovers a plot that has deep ties to his past and the legacy of his old nemesis, Albert Wesker.
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2011): This episodic adventure features the return of Claire Redfield, now working for the anti-bioterrorism organization TerraSave. She and Moira Burton (daughter of Barry Burton) are kidnapped and taken to a mysterious island, forcing a familiar hero to come to their rescue.
- Resident Evil 6 (2012-2013): The series' most action-heavy entry, this game features four interconnected campaigns with a massive roster of characters, including Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Sherry Birkin (from RE2). The story follows a global bioterror attack involving the new C-Virus.
The Winters Saga (2017 - 2021)
The franchise took a bold turn by shifting to a first-person perspective and introducing a new protagonist, Ethan Winters, whose personal story becomes central to the modern narrative.
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017): Ethan Winters' search for his missing wife, Mia, leads him to a derelict plantation in Dulvey, Louisiana, where he is captured by the terrifying Baker family. This entry serves as a soft reboot, returning the series to its claustrophobic horror roots while connecting to the larger lore in surprising ways.
- Resident Evil Village (2021): A direct sequel to Biohazard, this game takes place three years later. Ethan Winters' new life in Europe is shattered when his daughter, Rose, is kidnapped, forcing him into a mysterious and monstrous village ruled by four sinister lords and their matriarch, Mother Miranda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Resident Evil game should I play first?
While playing in chronological order is rewarding, it can be a long journey. For newcomers, we recommend one of these three starting points:
- Resident Evil 2 (2019 Remake): This is arguably the perfect starting point. It's a modern game that perfectly balances tense survival horror, action, and storytelling, introducing you to the core themes of the series.
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard: If you want a fresh start, this is your game. Its story is largely self-contained and doesn't require prior knowledge, making it an excellent entry into the world of Resident Evil.
- Resident Evil 4 (2023 Remake): If you prefer more action and a faster pace, the RE4 remake is a critically acclaimed masterpiece that stands on its own.
Do I need to play the originals before the remakes?
No. The modern remakes (RE2, RE3, and RE4) are designed to be definitive, updated versions of the originals. They retell the same core stories with modernized gameplay, enhanced graphics, and slight narrative adjustments, making them the ideal way for new players to experience these classic tales.
Are the movies and spin-off games canon?
The live-action films starring Milla Jovovich exist in their own separate universe. However, the full-length CGI animated films (like Degeneration, Damnation, and Vendetta) are considered canon to the game timeline, often filling in the gaps between major installments. The series has dozens of spin-off titles, but the list above covers the essential narrative arc.