The Worst Resident Evil Games for Newcomers

Summary

Resident Evil 5 relies heavily on previous game storylines, making it inaccessible to newcomers.
Mercenaries 3D is a standalone game that differs greatly from mainline RE series.
Resident Evil Village, while unique and lore-rich, may be overwhelming without prior series knowledge.

The fan base of the Resident Evil series has been steadily expanding since the debut of its first game, attracting new players daily to this terrifying universe. However, it’s worth noting that not all titles in this cherished survival horror franchise were designed with beginners in mind. Their intricate narratives, challenging gameplay, and distinct mechanics might make them a hard sell as an entry point for someone just starting out.

These games aren’t necessarily poor; quite the contrary, they often seem more fitting to enjoy following some of the earlier versions to continue what has been developed. However, it’s worth mentioning that these specific titles might not be ideal for newcomers to the Resident Evil series. They could potentially find them challenging until they have played a few games and familiarized themselves with the universe and characters.

8. Resident Evil 5

The Story Is Focused On Wrapping Up Loose Ends Set Up In Previous Games

While playing Resident Evil 5 remains enjoyable for co-op play, whether the players are fans or not, it’s its storyline that can make it a challenging entry to grasp within the franchise. The narrative of Resident Evil 5 references many plot points from earlier games, such as Chris’ conflict with Wesker and his connection with Jill, which are all significantly resolved in this game.

In a simpler and more conversational way, one could say: “Resident Evil 5” doesn’t really capture the essence of what long-time fans adore about the series. While its action-packed gameplay makes it accessible for an enjoyable playthrough, it falls short in recreating the eerie ambiance and visual style that the earlier games were famous for, which are more representative of the series as a whole.

7. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

Essentially In An Entirely Different Genre From The Main Series

In the world of gaming, I’ve come across this thrilling bonus mode called “The Mercenaries” in the third mainline game of the Resident Evil series. At first, it was just an entertaining action-packed side mission to pass the time after the credits. However, when they added high scores and leaderboards, it became a real hit, especially with Resident Evil 5’s release.

Capcom opted to offer fans a unique gaming experience by releasing Mercenaries 3D, a third-person shooter action game that deviates significantly from the standard playstyle of most mainline Resident Evil games. Notably, this title lacks any horror elements and may not be immediately recognizable for newcomers, as characters like Claire and HUNK are only familiar to those well-versed in the Resident Evil series. It’s advisable to get acquainted with at least a couple of other Resident Evil games before diving into this one.

6. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

This Non-Canon Story Isn’t An Essential Play When Getting Into The Series

Operation Raccoon City presents an alternate, speculative narrative of the collapse of Raccoon City, offering a fresh perspective on events that deviate significantly from the original storyline in Resident Evil 2 and 3. Consequently, this game features various altered occurrences and character deaths that do not happen in those games, as it is based on them.

In essence, Operation Raccoon City presents a distorted and somewhat unclear image of the events that transpired in Raccoon City. Despite effectively creating an atmosphere of fear and horror associated with that incident, it doesn’t contribute significantly to the overall narrative arc of the series. Moreover, the gameplay style during this period was heavily focused on action, which is not representative of the series as a whole.

5. Resident Evil Village

Village Incorporates Story Elements From 7 And The Classics, All In One Terrifying Package

In contrast to Resident Evil 7, which serves as a great starting point due to its role as a soft reboot, the sequel, Resident Evil Village, might not offer the same experience for newcomers. While Village delves deep into the series’ lore, revealing intriguing aspects like Umbrella’s origins and the purpose of the titular village, these revelations could be missed by those who aren’t fully caught up on the build-up leading to these unexpected twists.

Connecting with Ethan and Chris, two primary characters in the game, might be challenging if you haven’t encountered them before in their individual games. This is particularly true for Chris, whose character development leads up to this point. The game titled “Village” surpassed many people’s expectations and is arguably more rewarding to experience after getting familiar with the characters.

4. Resident Evil 0

The Most Difficult Game In The Series Can Make Gameplay Unapproachable For Newcomers

Resident Evil 0 is an innovative game that deliberately reverses many fundamental mechanics of the series to offer a distinctive, yet demanding, gaming experience. This game lets players control characters named Billy and Rebecca concurrently, each with their unique advantages and disadvantages. For instance, Rebecca can heal more but also sustains greater damage. Due to numerous enigmatic puzzles that may require keeping both characters alive while quickly thinking on your feet and avoiding zombies all at once, some sections can prove quite challenging to navigate.

In the game 0, several bosses are notorious for their toughness, particularly the giant scorpion and bats. These enemies often lead to game-overs. Despite being enjoyable to confront in a boss rush, the game is challenging, offering a sense of satisfaction upon victory. However, its complexity and distinctive mechanics might make it a tricky choice for beginners.

3. Resident Evil: Gaiden

Gaiden’s Bizarre Gameplay And Story Are Unlike Anything Else In The Series

Building upon the success of the initial three Resident Evil games, Capcom felt it was the right moment to venture into something different, leading to the creation of Resident Evil: Gaiden. This tale, distinctly non-canon and somewhat peculiar, centers around Leon and Barry – characters who never interact in the original storyline – being trapped on a zombie-ridden ocean liner.

Instead of sticking to set camera angles, the game adopts a dynamic perspective, following the player’s actions as in a classic side-scroller. When combat ensues, however, the game switches to a first-person shooter viewpoint reminiscent of an arcade shooter, offering an unprecedented experience for the series. Gaiden becomes more engaging once players have experienced some of the mainline games, realizing just how unconventional it can be.

2. Umbrella Corps

The Gameplay Is Far From Representative Of The Mainline Series

Umbrella Corps” is a side game that several fans believe was Capcom’s effort to join the popular trend of third-person shooters in the mid-2010s. Despite being enjoyable in brief play sessions, it doesn’t offer much in terms of story or universe development for those aiming to delve deeper into the “Resident Evil” world.

This game has a strong resemblance to arcade shooters, featuring numerous elements similar to “Resident Evil” such as settings and adversaries. However, it doesn’t contribute anything new or substantial to the series. It wouldn’t be considered essential to play, and it’s not recommended for beginners.

1. Resident Evil 6

Many Big Payoffs Rely On Fans Already Being Familiar With The Characters

In Resident Evil 6, players are immediately plunged into the heart of the story, with allusions to past organizations and figures abounding as if there’s no day after tomorrow. This game marked a rare occasion for fans where they got to witness some characters interacting after quite a while, such as Leon and Sherry, or the much-anticipated encounter between franchise icons Chris and Leon.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t stress enough that to truly appreciate some of the characters in this series, like Sherry, who was initially a timid child in the second installment, or Jake, the son of the infamous villain Albert Wesker, you should have some background from previous games. Although Resident Evil 6 has gained favor among fans over time, its chaotic gameplay and story references might be a bit challenging for newcomers to fully grasp.

2025-01-24 15:34