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Ultimately, the horror varies from game to game. Some leave players shaking in their boots, while others don’t even make them jump once. However, scary or not scary is not indicative of the game’s quality. Except for one game, just about every mainline Resident Evil game is a classic. To find a good measure of which entries will give players the most nightmares and ultimately find out what the scariest Resident Evil game is, read on below.
Updated on November 22, 2021, by Jason Wojnar: A new Resident Evil movie is coming out. Unlike the prior film series starring Milla Jovovich and spearheaded by Paul W.S. Anderson, this new film, called Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, more closely follows the events of the video games. Perhaps it will inspire a new legion of moviegoers to check out the games. If they are, this list should help them determine what are the scariest titles in the series. Many might want to play the games in chronological or release order, but it is also acceptable to jump around entries.
14 Resident Evil 6
Resident Evil 6 is not only tame in terms of scares, but it will also likely bore players throughout the campaign. It goes too big and ends up feeling dull despite attempts at epic set pieces.
In the massive 20-hour campaign players are not likely to feel scared even once, despite some segments seeing the heroes take on hordes of freakish monsters. Thankfully, Capcom learned their lesson after this title and toned down the scope of the action for Resident Evil 7.
13 Resident Evil 3 Remake
While not considered as good as Resident Evil 2’s remake, the Resident Evil 3 remake is still a fantastic title from 2020. However, it leans more into the action than its predecessor. Running away from Nemesis is generally void of danger, and the bosses are not particularly threatening.
Play it on a higher difficulty for a more tense journey. Despite the lack of scares, it earns commendation for not simply trying to do what the Resident Evil 2 remake did.
12 Resident Evil 5
Things are almost always less scary with friends by your side. However, the scares were a worthy tradeoff in Resident Evil 5’s case, because it offers one of the finest linear co-op campaigns available.
It makes more sense narratively, too. Chris Redfield already has plenty of experience dealing with BOWs so he would not feel the same way he did when he went to the Mansion back in the first Resident Evil. He’s more capable now, and less terrified to face these fearsome foes.
11 Resident Evil 0
This list is not about the quality of a game, but when an old-fashioned Resident Evil game does not have scares, it deflates the whole experience. Resident Evil 0 for the GameCube introduces a new mechanic of controlling two different characters and switching between them on the fly.
Unfortunately, it just ends up making puzzles and item management more frustrating. Worst of all, the game simply is not that scary. Playing it reminds players that the series was certainly ready for the change that came shortly afterward with Resident Evil 4.
10 Resident Evil 3
Of all the Resident Evil games utilizing tank controls, Resident Evil 3 is the most action-packed. It is also one of the least celebrated of the PS1 trilogy, but it is still a must-play for any fan of the series.
Seeing more of Raccoon City is enough reason alone to play through this game’s story. It also includes segments absent from the remake. Resident Evil 3 lacks the tension of the prior two entries, however, even though Nemesis is an iconic monster.
9 Resident Evil 4
Some fans are still sore over the changes Resident Evil 4 made to the franchise, becoming more action-oriented. Even so, the fourth mainline entry is one of the greatest games of its generation and still holds up more than 15 years later.
Though it lacks the terror of earlier games, there is still a layer of tension permeating through the whole campaign. The enemy AI and the sheer amount of enemies on the screen feels overwhelming at times. Resident Evil 4 was recently released in VR, a change that so heavily modifies the experience, it is deserving of its own entry later down on the list.
8 Resident Evil - CODE: Veronica
While not numbered, CODE: Veronica is still considered a part of the mainline franchise since it pushes the story forward and takes place after Raccoon City’s destruction. It is also the biggest of the games using the classic formula, taking about 11 hours to beat.
Some of the creative enemy designs are effective, especially the Bandersnatch. The second half of the game takes place in an arctic environment, in which the isolation helps contribute to the terror that the player feels.
7 Resident Evil Village
The newest entry in the series certainly lives up to the franchise’s name in an honorable way. All the same, it is notably less terrifying than its predecessor. It still manages to be scarier than more than half the games on this list, but it won’t keep fans awake at night the same way the next games do.
Still, anyone with a particular fear of vampires, werewolves, and witches might beg to differ. Despite these types of creatures feeling somewhat incongruous to the series, Resident Evil Village ultimately ends up tying into the series’ lore in interesting ways. The journey with Resident Evil Village is not done yet, since Capcom has announced that single-player DLC is on the way for the title.
6 Resident Evil 4 VR
VR breathes new life into many games, and it did so for Resident Evil 4. The fourth mainline entry in the series is not super scary, but putting players directly into Leon Kennedy’s shoes absolutely enhances the scares.
Many people reading this might know Resident Evil 4 like the back of their hand, but playing it in VR is a whole new ball game. It is just unfortunate players need a whole VR headset to play it.
5 Resident Evil 2
The first sequel was directed by Hideki Kamiya, who went on to make action games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta. Resident Evil 2 is very much a survival horror title, retaining the slow pace and tension of the debut entry.
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New iconic enemies were introduced here, mainly the absolutely grotesque-looking licker. The creative use of two campaigns makes the game significantly longer than most PS1 games. To see all possible scenarios, one has to beat the game four times, meaning the game has fantastic replay value.
4 Resident Evil
Don’t let the quaint visuals fool you. The original Resident Evil from 1996 is still one of the scariest games to play today. The lack of resources, mysterious setting, and gruesome sound effects create a terrifying atmosphere regardless of graphics.
The iconic moment when the dogs jump through the window is still an incredibly effective jump scare. Even knowing it is coming does not make the abrupt ambush any less scary. All in all, it’s a great horror game, and it’s no wonder it spawned such a huge franchise.
3 Resident Evil Remake
The Resident Evil remake came out only six years after the original, but Shinji Mikami saw an opportunity to do things he could not do with the original game due to technical limitations.
Not only is Resident Evil on the GameCube terrifying, but the graphics are also gorgeous. One of the scariest additions to the remake is the character of Lisa Trevor. The encounter with her is unsettling, and her story is simply tragic.
2 Resident Evil 2 Remake
Resident Evil 2’s remake was desired by fans for years before it was announced. The finished product surpasses all expectations, delivering everything fans wanted and more.
The most notable part of the campaign is Mr. X. He dynamically chases Leon and Claire through the police station, being wildly unpredictable at times. On a first playthrough, it is difficult to know from where he will attack. The RE Engine’s visual fidelity significantly lends to the terror.
1 Resident Evil 7
After the bombastic action of Resident Evil 6, the series went back to its roots with a smaller, more intimate setting. It also is played from the first-person perspective. By introducing a new protagonist, the game puts players into the shoes of an inexperienced everyman thrown into a waking nightmare.
Being hunted by the Baker family is an unforgettably scary experience that will haunt players long after they put down the controller. Furthermore, everything is heightened tenfold for those playing in VR. Though the visual fidelity decreases when playing through PSVR, it is a worthy tradeoff to be fully immersed in the world. Some might not even have the stones to finish it.
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