Top 7 Resident Evil Games: Action Meets Horror

Summary

Resident Evil: Revelations aimed to bring back horror after more action-focused releases.
Resident Evil Village seamlessly blends horror with action in a lycan-infested village.
Resident Evil 4 (2023) remake elevates the game with improved combat and darker tone.

The Resident Evil series has built its reputation on giving players heart-pounding scares by suddenly unleashing hordes of zombies, colossal insects, and other terrifying creatures from the shadows. Regardless of being equipped with a vast array of weaponry, these games often challenge one’s bravery to the limit.

However, some games prioritize action-oriented gameplay over horror, suspense, and ambiance, with players primarily focused on defeating adversaries. Ideally, a game would strike a balance between these aspects, and fortunately for enthusiasts, there are excellent Resident Evil titles that masterfully combine these elements.

7. Resident Evil: Revelations

Tried To Bring Back Horror After The Action-Focused Releases

Capcom aimed to revive the frightening foundation that the franchise was recognized for, after the action-filled games Resident Evil 5 and 6. The next game to be launched was Revelations, a side story within the main series. This game features characters from the series past, Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, as they now work for the BSAA. In this installment, Jill embarks on the Queen Zenobia in search of her former partner. However, she doesn’t find him there; instead, she encounters numerous horrifying creatures.

The latest installment, Revelations, certainly revived the confined settings and suspense that characterized its predecessors. However, it didn’t entirely break free from those influences, maintaining a strong presence. Nevertheless, it delivered an impressive punch. The combat was smooth and engaging, even on the portable version, and the boss battles were monumental in terms of scale and difficulty.

6. Resident Evil Village

Horror And Action Meet In The Remote, Lycan-Infested Village

In “Resident Evil Village,” Ethan Winters’ tale carries on and ultimately reaches its end as he embarks on another rescue operation this time for his baby daughter Rosemary. Chris initially took Rosemary, who was later snatched by Mother Miranda and taken to a distant, snow-covered village in Romania. Mother Miranda aims to employ Rosemary within a ritual to revive her deceased daughter Eva. She has delegated the management of separate domains to the Four Lords, whom Ethan must eliminate if he wishes to save his daughter.

In a quaint, snow-covered hamlet, one might find beauty if not for the lurking werewolf-like beings, yearning to dismember poor Ethan. Despite its spooky atmosphere, it’s nothing compared to the Beneviento House. While players are accustomed to blasting bosses with bullets, here they face the hallucinations of a colossal fetus and the pursuit of Donna’s terrifying living doll, Angie. This adds an extra layer of horror to contrast the more action-oriented boss battles.

The peaceful snow village turns scary due to roaming monsters that want to harm Ethan. But nothing compares to exploring the creepy Beneviento House. Instead of shooting bosses, players must deal with hallucinations of a giant baby and hunt a scary doll called Angie, adding more horror for action-packed battles.

5. Resident Evil 0

Two Playable Characters Encourage Combat

After a helicopter accident, Rebecca, a member of S.T.A.R.S.’s Brave Team, stumbles upon an eerily still train on the tracks. Entering the train, she discovers that everyone aboard – passengers and crew alike – have been turned into zombies. Facing no other option, she teams up with Billy Coen, a criminal who had been imprisoned for murdering 23 individuals and managed to escape. Despite her doubts about him, they are compelled to cooperate.

Working in tandem with a partner, each armed, it becomes enticing to obliterate every adversary encountered instead of maneuvering around them, given our enhanced firepower. Yet, the chilling ambiance remains intact; locations like the train and lab are eerily captivating to traverse, even when accompanied by another character.

4. Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Combat Takes An Interesting New Turn

At a TerraSave gathering, Claire Redfield and fresh recruit Moira Burton are abducted by a band of mercenaries. They regain consciousness on Rockfort Island, finding themselves equipped with a high-tech wristband that measures their fear responses, as they’ve been afflicted by a virus sensitive to fear. Facing impending deadlines, Claire and Moira must collaborate to find an exit strategy. Meanwhile, a subsequent narrative unfolds with Barry Burton on the hunt for his missing daughter Moira, eventually crossing paths with a young girl named Natalia during his pursuit.

In Revelations 2, when you play with a friend, there’s an innovative twist: the second player controls Moira or Natalia, engaging in combat uniquely since they don’t use regular weapons. Instead, they employ items like flashlights, bricks, or crowbars to support Claire or Barry. This unconventional method enhances the action without sacrificing the horror element, as the Afflicted are undeniably frightening adversaries.

3. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

The Unstoppable Juggernaut Hunts Jill Throughout The Game

In the third installment of the series, Jill Valentine, a S.T.A.R.S. officer, returns to Raccoon City, enjoying a peaceful time. However, this serenity is shattered when the bio-organic weapon (BOW) called Nemesis appears on the scene. This relentless hunter has been instructed to eliminate any remaining S.T.A.R.S. members, and Jill is his current target. Evading Nemesis isn’t easy, as he is nearly unstoppable. To make matters worse, Raccoon City has succumbed to the devastating effects of the T-Virus.

In Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Jill must fight her way relentlessly through a swarm of enemies and confront Nemesis if required. This game, equal parts thrilling and chilling, was the first in the series to strike the perfect balance. The climactic battle between Jill and her adversary is merely the cherry on top, as she delivers the legendary line “You want S.T.A.R.S.? I’ll give you S.T.A.R.S.” – just like the quintessential horror action heroine she embodies.

2. Resident Evil 4 (2023)

The Remake Adds Some Much-Needed Atmosphere

Initially launched in 2005, “Resident Evil 4” received a critically acclaimed remake in 2023. This updated version not only ported the game onto contemporary devices but took it to unprecedented levels of excellence by refining aspects from the original game. The combat became more fluid, the visuals were breathtaking, and characters underwent modifications to their personalities and appearances, making them more nuanced, intriguing, and endearing.

A significant alteration was the introduction of a more somber mood. The remake of Resident Evil 4 took on a grimmer vibe, merging the combative elements from the original game with the eerie ambiance that has been revived in recent titles like Resident Evil 7. Despite the story remaining largely unchanged, with Leon embarking on a mission to Spain to rescue Ashley Graham, the President’s daughter, the tone is darker and the protagonist is more serious to enhance the overall atmosphere.

1. Resident Evil 7

The Bakers All Deliver Intimidating Boss Fights

Following somewhat ambiguous responses to Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6, Capcom decided to refine their approach for future numbered titles. Enter Resident Evil 7, which introduced a fresh narrative and cast of characters. The story follows Ethan Winters, a new character, on his quest through the swamps of Louisiana to find his missing wife Mia, who vanished three years earlier. Along the way, he encounters the enigmatic Baker family.

Overcome by the strange abilities bestowed upon them by Eveline, the Baker family has lost their human traits, instead becoming unpredictable, hazardous, and downright terrifying in appearance. As Ethan navigates through the unsettling southern gothic environment, he’ll encounter various family members for pulse-pounding, exhilarating, and downright gruesome boss battles – moments when the game’s combat really comes alive. The haunting atmosphere and the chilling design of some of the monsters only add to this game’s unique blend of excitement and fear.

2025-05-04 11:06