Interested in getting into the Resident Evil series

[mushroomqueen4]

Hey everyone,

I've watched plenty of zombie movies and Walking Dead, but the only zombie video game I have played is Dead Island. I love the Resident Evil movies too, so I feel like its about time I actually play one!

So, I have a two questions...

1. I feel somewhat obligated to start with very first Resident Evil game released in 1996 and to play my way up to the latest Resident Evil 6. Do you encourage that? Or is it better if I pick up to a more recent game? (Keep in mind that the story and characters mean a lot to me in games).

2. How freaked out do you get when playing these games? I can totally take the zombies in Dead Island or zombies seen in movies, however, I admit I've never actually played any other survival horror game Is it more action-oriented or does it have that creepy silent-hill/amnesia feel?

I will really appreciate your answers!!

 

[Fat Hippo]

I recommend you start with the Resident Evil Remake. (or RE:make or whatever it's called)

1. The story isn't as stupid as in later games, and it actually looks fantastic. One of the most visually accomplished games of its generation, from my perspective. The gameplay is dated, but if you want to get a good feel for the series, this will show you what people mean when talking about the "Resident Evil Formula." And I think it actually still holds up quite well. This is coming from someone who only played it a year or two back himself, not an old fan of the series, so I think it's a valid judgment of the gameplay from a modern perspective.

2. I doubt you'll get insanely freaked out, but be more in state of constant tension, because in this first game, resources are really damn scarce. This is survival horror at its roots. It's far less action-oriented than its sequels. There aren't a ton of zombies, but they take quite a few shots to go down. Combat isn't particularly fast-paced, but more about knowing when to retreat, and choosing the right position to fight your enemies, since you'll be fighting them in a forced camera perspective. IF you can get around this illogical limitation of the engine, you should enjoy it. But if you can't, you won't.

 

[madwarper]

Personally, I've only played 2 RE games, 4 & 5 (and Chronicles, but that doesn't count).
So, of them, I can fully recommend playing RE 4. The Wii version is the best, with good use of motion control aiming. PS2 coming in second because of the extra content, and GC if you can't get either of the other two.

Now, if you really want to play the original RE games on the PS1, you can... But, I wouldn't recommend it. They rereleased most of them on the GC and would probably offer a better experience. However, if you're just trying to get into the "plot", rather than the pain gameplay that you get the franchise evolved, you'd be better off just going gametrailers and watching the RE retrospective.

As for how scary you might find them... That's up to you. Most of the "scares" come from zombies/creatures popping out of back round. Also, about "survival horror", as I understand it, in RE 1-3, resources were scarce and you spent more time running than fighting. In RE 4/5, resources are more plentiful and you're encouraged to kill everything in sight, and some say that means RE 4/5 are simple action games, rather than "survival horror".

 

[SlaveNumber23]

I don't have all that much experience in the series, having only played the first one as well as Resident Evil 5. I know that a lot of people didn't like RE5 all that much but I can say that I had a ton of fun playing it with a friend so I recommend that as long as you have a buddy to enjoy it with.

As for your questions:

1. I'm pretty sure there is an overall story line with recurring characters so it probably is best just to play them in order if that isn't a problem.

2. I can remember the first one being fairly creepy, and genuinely scary. RE5 wasn't really scary or creepy at all but some parts were very frantic and panic inducing in terms of action.

 

[StupidNincompoop]

Hey mushroomqueen4,

If you want to play the RE series then i'd reccomend (in no order):

RE1
RE2
RE3
RE Outbreak file #1
RE Outbreak file #2
RE Code veronica
RE0
RE4

The RE series is often said as being on par with silent hill in terms of scariness, though silent hill is psychological horror (plays with your personal phobias and fears). All of the RE games with the exception of maybe RE outbreak and RE 4 will probably scare you, but RE 4 isn't really that scary, apart from one monster towards the end.

RE 0 is connected to RE 1, RE 2 and RE 3 are set in the same area but with different characters, and RE 4 is kind of connected to RE 2. RE Outbreak is also kind of connected to RE 2 and 3, but the main series' main characters aren't mentioned in them.

If you'd like to play for the story, then you should play them in chronological order, that is RE 0 to RE 4. RE outbreak and Code Veronica are kind of just spin-offs from the original series, and only Code Veronica actually has characters from the original series as well.


In my opinion here's the order of the best game in the series to the worst:
RE Outbreak file #2 (This is the only RE where you can walk and aim/shoot at the same time..)
RE 3
RE Outbreak file #1
RE 2
RE 1
RE 0
RE Code Veronica
RE 4

Also, i wouldn't reccomend RE 5 and RE 6. They pretty much have nothing to do with the storyline of the previous games, the characters are "the same" but they're completely changed and not exactly the same characters, and the gameplay is totally different from the previous games as well. They're also completely action oriented and not actually horror games. RE 5 isn't as bad as RE 6 from what i've heard, but i still personally wouldn't reccomend them.

 

[Chester Rabbit]

I recommend you start with the Resident Evil Remake. (or RE:make or whatever it's called)

1. The story isn't as stupid as in later games, and it actually looks fantastic. One of the most visually accomplished games of its generation, from my perspective. The gameplay is dated, but if you want to get a good feel for the series, this will show you what people mean when talking about the "Resident Evil Formula." And I think it actually still holds up quite well. This is coming from someone who only played it a year or two back himself, not an old fan of the series, so I think it's a valid judgment of the gameplay from a modern perspective.

Yes! For the love of god if you are just entering the series do yourself a favor and do not start with the original version. Get yourself a Game Cube and get the Remake. I would have given anything for my first resident evil experience to have been that game instead of the first one.

And if you play that one I guarantee in the beginning you will be jumping at shadows. The atmosphere and Zombies are absolutely terrifying. Oh and don?t cheat yourself, turn the lights off when you play it

And as for making your way through the series...if anything I would just say stop at 5 seeing how that seemed like a solid ending for the story. Or you could just watch every cutscene on youtube and not bother with it beca....that's going to turn into a RE5 not being a survival horror rant, okay I'm done.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

I've only played the first few, but I'd recommend them. They're pretty fun, the first game and the second. Not all that engaging, but good fun all the same. The first game can be pretty hard in places though. As for scaryness, eh, they scared me when I was much younger, but not anymore.

I've also played Code Veronica: X, which was decent. Never finished it though, too fucking hard.

 

[Gypsyssilver]

So, I have a two questions...

1. I feel somewhat obligated to start with very first Resident Evil game released in 1996 and to play my way up to the latest Resident Evil 6. Do you encourage that? Or is it better if I pick up to a more recent game? (Keep in mind that the story and characters mean a lot to me in games).

2. How freaked out do you get when playing these games? I can totally take the zombies in Dead Island or zombies seen in movies, however, I admit I've never actually played any other survival horror game Is it more action-oriented or does it have that creepy silent-hill/amnesia feel?

It's fine to play it in order. That's how I did it (through sheer chance).

The earlier ones are showing their age, however, so use your best judgement there. If you try the first couple and aren't too impressed - I'd skip ahead to Resident Evil 4 or even Resident Evil: Code Veronica X.

Resident Evil 1: - Unintentionally hilarious. We had a blast with it, but definitely didn't take it very seriously. A lot of the 'plot' and the character's actions/lines make no sense at all.

Resident Evil 2: - I liked this one a lot better, had a great time traipsing around the police station killing zombies and solving puzzles.

Resident Evil: Nemesis - I remember this one being similar to the second one in terms of gameplay, graphics and enjoyability (it's been a few years since I last played this one so the details are hazy). My overall impression was positive.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X - This is my favourite of the older games. The gameplay was great, I loved the story and the cutscenes were amazing. That scene where the female antagonist walks down the stairs? Wow. I still love watching that clip. It gave me goosebumps the first time I saw it. The boss fights were a lot of fun as well.

Resident Evil 4: - This is probably the best of the series in a lot of respects, but it was also a bit of a departure from the main formula up until that point so your mileage may vary. I loved it. The Resident Evil 'plot' up until this game was a huge many-headed beast that often didn't make a lot of sense. This game kicked the whole convoluted backstory to the kerb and came up with a plot that was only tangentially related - so it doesn't matter if you've never played any of the others. You can play this one without needing to know anything about the series. The graphics and gameplay got a huge reboot (helped by advances in the consoles) and it's just a great game in general.

Resident Evil 5 and 6: I can't really comment on these. I did own RE5 briefly, but got bored with it pretty close to the start and just... stopped playing. Which is a shame, but I just can't bring myself to try again. I've read reviews of RE6 - they weren't complimentary. I might try it one day. Probably not though.


TL;DR - If you're looking for characters and story you may be barking up the wrong tree. A convoluted tree with pretty one-dimensional characters. If you just go into it looking for a bit of fun, however, you might have a pretty good time.

As far as freak-out factor goes - meh. I'd say low to middle when it comes to scary-level. Most of the scares are from things jumping out at you rather than pure atmosphere. That said, there were a few times when - due to the sounds I could hear/music that was playing/past experiences with the games - I genuinely didn't want to enter that room/open that container etc