Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top 14 Resident Evil Games

Resident Evil: Survivor (PS1)

#14

By the year 2000, Resident Evil had already established itself as one of Capcom's most reliable franchises. Not only did everybody love the PlayStation trilogy, but Code Veronica had just proved that the series was ready to make the jump to the next-generation. It felt like nothing could stop this franchise's momentum. And then came Resident Evil: Survivor, a light gun-style game that brought the winning streak to an abrupt end.

I say light gun "style" because Capcom decided to rip the light gun out of the game at the last second. Resident Evil: Survivor was released in the wake of the Columbine school shooting, which spooked Capcom enough to remove the light gun support that was found in the Japanese and European versions of the game. But even if you ignore that terrible decision, Mark argued that the game was bad for a whole host of other reasons: "What kind of problems? You can't strafe, can't look up or down, you turn way too slowly, and the game has a horrible habit of auto-aiming and moving the screen around to where it thinks you should be looking." The other critics agreed, saying that this is the franchise's first major misstep. With an average score of just 4.2 out of 10, Survivor is EGM's worst-reviewed Resident Evil game.

Resident Evil Gaiden (GBA)

#13

One thing you're going to notice about this list is that Electronic Gaming Monthly loved the Resident Evil sequels, but hated most of the Resident Evil spin-offs and side stories. I suppose it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that this includes Resident Evil Gaiden, which literally translates to "side story." This was the ill-fated Game Boy Color installment that proved that some franchises weren't meant to be 8-bit. Mark started his review by saying that "if the horrible PS1 Resident Evil: Survivor game was a slap in the face to fans of the series, Gaiden is a swift kick to the nuts." He hated the bland, lifeless backgrounds, the unmarked locked doors and the lack of ammo. That last gripe was especially annoying because you needed to kill zombies to collect essential items. John liked the game more than Mark, but still complained that "what you're left with is an agonizingly generic, 8-bit Nintendo-era fetch quest adventure game with very little variety or originality." With everybody disappointed, Resident Evil Gaiden averages a terrible looking 4.2 out of 10.

Resident Evil Gaiden (GBA)

#12

Three years after taking the light gun out of Resident Evil: Survivor, Capcom put it back in when they released Resident Evil: Dead Aim. This was a PlayStation 2 shooter that should have been an apology for screwing up the first game, but the EGM critics weren't impressed. For what it's worth, Mark gave the game a much higher score than either Survivor or Gaiden, and even praised the game for getting the atmosphere right. He also thought the new stealth mode was an interesting idea. Crispin wasn't as impressed, mocking the other critic's long-winded reviews: "Snore ... snore ... huh ... whazzat? It's my turn to chime in? Sorry, but the near total lack of horror in this survivor horror gun game bored me plumb to sleep." EGM's review crew may have concluded that it's "way better than Resident Evil: Survivor," but the review scores tell a different story. Resident Evil: Dead Aim manages to eek out a still pretty terrible 4.3 out of 10.

Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2 (PS2)

#11

Speaking of sequels that suck, our next game is Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2. If you're unfamiliar with the Outbreak series, this was Capcom's first (but definitely not the last) attempt to take the Resident Evil franchise online. The result was a mixed bag of ideas that didn't quite come together in the first game. Both critics and fans were vocal in their criticism of the 2004 original, so many hoped that Capcom would listen to criticism and make sweeping changes to the sequel, which was released just thirteen months later. No such luck.

James gave the game a 5 out of 10 and complained that the second Outbreak has all the same problems -- You can only carry four items at once, the A.I. is pathetically awful and you still can't use voice chat. "You're stuck with the same damn macros to communicate with your buds. Only Timmy from Lassie would be able to understand you: 'What's that, boy? Jim is being eaten on the hospital roof by a shirtless man with an ax?'" Mark and Christian didn't like the game much better, which is why Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2 comes in eleventh place with an average score of 4.8 out of 10.

Resident Evil Outbreak (PS2)

#10

We already know that EGM didn't care much for the sequel, but I think it's fair to say that they were a little more forgiving of the first Resident Evil Outbreak when it hit PlayStation 2 in 2004. You can sense the editor's frustration as they tried to wrap their heads around the dubious online decisions, but seeing as this type of multiplayer game was still relatively new, they were much more forgiving. In fact, Mark heaped a fair amount of praise on the game, noting that Resident Evil Outbreak "is absolutely gorgeous. Its fully 3D environments allow for dramatic camera pans and zooms, yet still somehow pack in all the detail of RE's traditional gameplay. Branching paths, tons of unlockables, and secrets galore encourage replay."

Obviously, the big problems that all of the editors complained about was the communication, or lack thereof. As James mentioned in his review of the sequel, the game uses only a few different macros, which forces the other players to guess what they need to do. Yeah, that's annoying, but Chris managed to find a silver-lining in his review: "Single-player action redeems the faulty online setup with five unrelated scenarios in which you really have to work with the A.I. characters to succeed." He ended up giving the game a surprisingly high score of 7 out of 10, which really helped to boost the average up to a 6.3, making Resident Evil Outbreak the first game on this list to have an above average score.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (DS)

#9

In an effort to not be too redundant, I've decided to include only the first release of each game. About half of the Resident Evil games that EGM reviewed over the years ended up being ports that were virtually identical to the original, often with similar scores and write-ups. Resident Evil: Deadly Silence posed an interesting question: Is it possible for a port to have enough new content to warrant being included on this list? In the case of this Nintendo DS game, I decided the answer was yes. Sure, it's a handheld port of the original Resident Evil (complete with the same voice acting), but there's enough new and unique to this version of the game to warrant being included on this list.

Shane had another question in mind: "It's time to ask yourself whether you really need to play through Resident Evil again. Sure, the game's a modern classic that helped birth the whole survival-horror genre, but if you want the consummate RE experience, tackle the lushly revamped GameCube edition. The ever-present mansion map makes navigation too easy, and first-person challenges where you have to stab enemies with your stylus feel tacked-on and cheesy." Milkman liked it more than Shane, noting that "it's actually pretty impressive for a handheld title, though, and the new stuff gives Deadly Silence some legs. Not essential, but worthwhile for anyone who hasn't play the original Evil in ages." That's far from a ringing endorsement, but Deadly Silence does manage to squeak by with a so-so average of 7 out of 10.

Resident Evil:
The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii)

#8

After a few failed attempts at bringing the light gun genre to Resident Evil, Capcom finally found the right concept and venue for this idea. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles was one of two on-rails shooters released on the Wii, and the EGM editors were mostly impressed. Giving it a 7.5 out of 10, Nick argued that Chronicles isn't quite a light gun game nor a first-person shooter, but rather a whirlwind tour of the original trilogy. "It's also a surprisingly meaty game and having a second player gunning alongside allows you even more time to shoot up the environment for hidden goodies. Series fans will devour it as an excuse to flesh out the Resident Evil canon, but it features enough casual slaughter of the undead for anyone to enjoy."

Michael was less impressed: "I find it just a little funny that Sega's classic light gun series House of the Dead has way more life than Umbrella Chronicles. Sure, it's great to take a gun-toting trip through the Resident Evil saga, but the actual creature-killing lacks the ghastly whimsy of the HOD games." The editors also complained about the terrible voice acting and cheesy cut scenes, but c'mon, those are par for the course. Even with Michael's lower score, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles still managed to average score of 7 out of 10.

Resident Evil Zero (GCN)

#7

We're halfway through our look at the best and worst reviewed Resident Evil games, which means that we're finally at a point where all of the games are their good or great. According to EGM, that cut-off line is Resident Evil 0, which was released in the year between the Resident Evil 4 and the Resident Evil remake. This was an unexpected surprise for many, as it originally started its life as an exclusive for the Nintendo 64. And though it may have been announced five years earlier and came out on a completely different Nintendo system, the EGM critics were still impressed.

Mark called the game formulaic, but felt that Capcom still pulled it off better than anyone else out there. "The razor-sharp visuals and lifelike backgrounds add to the chilling atmosphere that make RE games worth playing. It's all about the glorious decay of dusty floorboards and darkened secret labs that create that wonderfully spooky feeling." He also liked the co-operative element to the game, though wished that Zero would have gone more into the backstory rather than give us a "lame new plot." Che not only liked it more than the other editors, but started his review stating that Zero is the most fun installment of the entire series. "In addition to the strategies introduced by 'zapping' back and forth between characters, the new weapons give this RE refreshing ways to dispatch zombies and leeches." Lame new story or not, Resident Evil 0 still managed to average an impressive 8.3 out of 10.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS1)

#6

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis has a bit of a reputation for being the worst of the original PlayStation trilogy. Not a bad game, per se, but definitely a noticeable step down after the stellar Resident Evil 2. Even with a strong score of 8.6 out of 10, there was a tinge of disappointment in the reviews. A great example of that comes from John, who gave the game an 8.5: "On one hand, Nemesis is a beautifully crafted example of its genre with excellent presentation and wonderful set-pieces that'll make you jump. On the other hand, it's a collection of lost opportunities."

Chris gave it the highest score, but even he agreed that "Capcom should have kept Nemesis as a side story. While RE3 is perhaps the most visually stunning entry in the series yet, I kept wishing there was more of it." Che summed it up this way: "The wide variety of monsters and, of course, the omnipresent Nemesis makes this RE a truly frightening experience. Still, I'm waiting for Code Veronica and a true 3D environment." Don't worry, Che, we're getting there. With an average of 8.6, Nemesis is the lowest scoring entry in Resident Evil's PlayStation trilogy.

Resident Evil (PS1)

#5

Before all the sequels, spin-offs and remakes, there was just Resident Evil. The original game in the series was first reviewed all the way back in the May 1996 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, at a time when nobody had any idea how big and influential the franchise would become. Looking back at them now, you can't help but notice that a lot of the reviews revolve around convincing the reader that it's not like that other survival horror game. Sushi-X explains that "at first glance, Resident Evil may appear to be a clone of Alone in the Dark, but in reality, it is a totally new experience where the player must fight for his or her life in a horrifying setting." He concluded that "as PlayStation titles start to expand into the next realm, Capcom leads the way by bringing players a great adventure with an unbelievable story."

Mark went even higher than Sushi, noting that Resident Evil was one of his most anticipated PlayStation games. "As a serious gamer, have had my share of 'kiddie' games and have been waiting for a title just like Resident Evil. It has a great plot, an adult theme and more action than you'll be able to deal with." Andy, on the other hand, was the lone critic who didn't give the game a 9 or above. "At first look, Resident Evil is beautiful with detailed rooms that are set up in a realistic fashion. When looking closer at the game, I was a little disappointed to find the limitations of exactly what I could interact with. RE is a visual feast, but the gameplay will turn off some players." Even with Andy's lower score, the first Resident Evil managed to average a scary 8.9 out of 10. That said, it's worth mentioning that when Capcom released Resident Evil: Director's Cut one year later, the magazine dropped the score down to a 4.4 out of 10. We talk more about that in our list looking at Electronic Gaming Monthly's Worst Reviewed Games of 1997.

Resident Evil (GCN)

#4

Six years after introducing the world to the thrills of survival horror, Capcom returned to Raccoon City with the Resident Evil remake. This was a big step up from the original, both in story and presentation. It not only looked and sounded better than ever, but it also gave the developer a chance to fix a lot of the problems with the original, including the voice acting. The EGM staff was stunned by how good the game looked, especially when compared to the PlayStation original.

As Jonathan puts it, "Cripes, this remake makes the new E.T. look like a steaming bowl of ass gumbo. A handful of familiar hooks keeps the game grounded in the original RE mold, but it's an otherwise brand-new experience." The other John, Ricciardi, agreed, saying that "when a game is so scary it makes you want to pause every five minutes for a breather, you know the developers have done something right. That's the kind of feeling you'll get from playing Resident Evil." The editors agreed that if you didn't like the original then this remake probably won't win you over, but everybody was impressed by the look and atmosphere of the game. With an average score of 9.2 out of 10, this remake remains one of the best-loved Resident Evil games of all time.

Resident Evil 2 (PS1)

#3

After being impressed by the first Resident Evil game, the EGM critics were blown away by the sequel. Instead of being just more of the same, Resident Evil 2 built on the formula in just about every way possible. It was bigger, scarier and more ambitious, offering what many saw as two games in one. It was a chance for Capcom to really show off what they had learned, and, as you will see from the reviews, the developer was more than up for the task. In fact, the game was so good that it actually surprised the review crew. As Dan puts it, "RE2 thoroughly surprised this reviewer, one who wasn't that wild about the original. The game is horrifyingly intense. The menu system still sucks, but everything else is just about perfect."

Shawn was also surprised, starting his review by saying that all he can say is "WOW." Of course, that's not all he could say, because he went on to explain that "Everything from the awesome graphics to the layout of the game is flawless. Gone are the days of cheesy actors and horrible dialogue. Now we have incredible rendered sequences with above average voice-overs." That was just part of the excitement for the critics, who also loved the new locations, the number of zombies on screen, the eerie music and the additions made to the gameplay. Hell, even Kraig, who flat out says that he didn't like the first Resident Evil, ended up adoring the sequel. With an average score of 9.4 out of 10, Resident Evil 2 is easily the best-reviewed entry in the PlayStation trilogy.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica (DC)

#2

After the critical and financial success of the PlayStation trilogy, there was one name on the tip of everybody's tongue -- Code Veronica. This was the Resident Evil game to watch, not only because it was the first next-generation installment, but also because it was a chance for Capcom to ditch the prerendered backgrounds and create a gorgeous 3D world. We take that for granted now, but that was a big deal back in the Dreamcast era. You don't need to take my word for it, because here's Chris explaining why that matters: "What a difference real-time graphics make. Not being able to see around corners, watching as the camera pans to reveal a horde of undead ... it creates real tension. I never thought the DC would've been capable of this level of graphic clarity outside of Soul Calibur."

Crispin echoed those thoughts, saying that "this is vintage RE gameplay packaged with 3D visuals so slick you gotta wonder if PS2 games could really look much better. Despite some lovey-dovey sappiness, the plot is pure dynamite, and the overall adventure runs longer than past RE games." While the editors all loved Code Veronica, they did complain about some of the trickier puzzles and the familiar locations we visit. This was also the first Resident Evil game to receive a 10 from one of the critics, boosting the score up to a staggering 9.7 out of 10.

Resident Evil 4 (GCN)

#1

For five long years, Code Veronica stood as the best Resident Evil had to offer. While spin-offs, side-stories and remakes came and went, it looked like that 9.7 score was simply too high to be topped. It was going to take a special kind of game to impress the critics as much as that Dreamcast installment. Well, as it turns out, Resident Evil 4 was a very special kind of game. In fact, I think it's fair to say that it was a turning point for the franchise. It was the game that ditched most of the Resident Evil cliches and showed players everywhere that you can do something new with the franchise. This was more than just a sequel; it was a brand-new age for Resident Evil.

Mark sums it up this way: "Forget what you know, or think you know, about Resident Evil, RE4 not only brings the series out of its creative rut, it also packs the most refined graphics and gameplay in survival-horror since ... well, ever. I don't care how sky-high your expectations are, RE4 will blow them away again and again. 2005's Game of the Year might have come out just 11 days into it." Milkman also gave the game a perfect 10 and started his review with a bunch of words: "Abandoned, hopeless, miserable, afraid, outnumbered, underpowered, lost, and handsome as hell: These are the words to describe how I felt while playing RE4 -- and that's just in the first 15 minutes. It's not enough that every person you come across wants to put a pitchfork in you, but should you let Mr. Chainsaw get within striking distance, you'll find that this is not your daddy's Resident Evil." That's for sure. With an average score of 9.8 out of 10, Resident Evil 4 was both the best-reviewed game of 2005 and, as Mark predicted, Electronic Gaming Monthly's Game of the Year. Sadly, we'll never know if it could be topped, but I have my doubts.