All Resident Evil Games You Should Play Before Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem will be the ninth major installment in the Resident Evil series, and it’s currently scheduled for release in early 2026. That gives players time to experience previous games, and if you’re new to the series and intrigued by Requiem, there are several excellent titles to check out before diving into the story of Grace.

You can play most Resident Evil games in any order, but understanding the backstory is especially useful when playing games with characters that appear in multiple titles. These games often make references to past events and games featuring those characters.

Based on recent leaks, Leon appears to be the main character we’ll see throughout the Requiem series. Plus, Grace seems to have ties to a character from a previous game, so you can get a head start by playing some older titles before Requiem comes out.

5. Resident Evil Outbreak

Where Grace’s Story Actually Starts

Grace Ashcroft is a central character in Resident Evil Requiem, and the game’s preview hints at a mysterious death surrounding her mother. That mother is revealed to be Alyssa Ashcroft, a character from the earlier game Resident Evil Outbreak. Although Outbreak is a side story, it’s popular among Resident Evil fans because it stands out from the main series by focusing on ordinary people rather than professional soldiers or agents.

While you won’t need to play Outbreak to follow Grace’s story in Requiem, experiencing Alyssa’s story there could deepen your understanding of what happens to her. Plus, Outbreak is a great way to see what the Raccoon City outbreak was like for ordinary citizens, offering a different perspective than the one shown in the main Resident Evil games, which focus on the police and STARS team.

4. Resident Evil

Where The Series Began

If you’re just getting into Resident Evil, the first game is the perfect place to start. It really throws you into the origins of everything – you learn how Raccoon City fell apart and get a good look at just how awful Umbrella Corporation really is through their messed-up experiments. Honestly, it sets the whole mood and atmosphere for pretty much the rest of the series, so it’s a must-play.

Compared to what we can expect from the upcoming game, Resident Evil is generally more deliberately paced. The series moved towards more action over time, but the original games focused heavily on puzzles. Newer installments strike a balance between action, puzzles, and stealth, and it’s probable that the upcoming game will follow suit. Despite this evolution, the first Resident Evil remains a standout experience, especially with the help of updated remakes and remasters which offer improved visuals.

3. Resident Evil 2

The Start Of Leon’s Journey

Resident Evil 2 is a beloved game that throws you right into the heart of the Raccoon City outbreak. You play as either Claire Redfield or Leon S. Kennedy, and your goal is to survive the sudden disaster and escape the city before it’s destroyed. Along the way, you’ll meet important characters who appear throughout the series, like Ada Wong and Sherry.

Before playing Requiem, it’s definitely worth trying the remake of Resident Evil 2. You’ll get to see where Leon’s story begins – he’s expected to be a playable character in Requiem – and experience a modern take on the game with improved camera angles and controls, a big change from the older, fixed camera style.

2. Resident Evil 4

The Version Of Leon Likely To Appear

Leon appears in Resident Evil 6, but his portrayal in the upcoming Requiem will likely be closer to his character in the Resident Evil 4 remake. This is because the series generally avoids referencing the events of Resident Evil 5 and 6. Therefore, understanding Leon through the RE4 remake will give you a more accurate idea of his personality and behavior in Requiem.

A key aspect of Resident Evil 4 is seeing Leon Kennedy develop from a new police officer into a skilled agent who undertakes risky, independent missions for the president. Regardless of whether the rumors about Leon appearing in Requiem are true, Resident Evil 4 remains a highly enjoyable game and a great way to spend time while waiting for the release of Requiem.

1. Resident Evil 7

The Modern Style Of Resident Evil

The Resident Evil series has changed a lot over the years. With Resident Evil 7 and 8, the games found a new direction after trying out more action-focused gameplay in earlier installments. These newer games went back to the series’ original survival horror style, telling a focused story within a limited setting, which really makes you feel isolated and trapped.

We don’t yet know the full scope of where the story ‘Requiem’ will unfold, but it begins like the previous one, with Grace learning about a deceased relative and being sent to a risky place to investigate. This time, though, Grace is much better prepared than Ethan was; she’s not entering the outbreaks completely unaware of what’s happening.

The Resident Evil series has many games, and it’s tough to play them all before the new release, especially with everything else life throws at you. This collection is designed to give you a great understanding of the story without taking up too much of your time, so you’ll be fully prepared and can enjoy Resident Evil Requiem to the fullest.

2025-12-10 17:40