The Greatest Resident Evil Games, Ranked

Key things

• Some Resident Evil games offer a casual, cozy and comforting experience in the middle of a horror-filled franchise.
• Games like Resident Evil Gaiden, Mercenaries 3D and Operation Raccoon City provide more relaxed gameplay.
• The cozy atmosphere of games like Resident Evil Code Veronica, 2 Remake and 4 make them perfect for nostalgic replayability.

At first it may seem strange that some Resident Evil the game can be considered “cozy” considering it's a franchise firmly rooted in the survival horror genre. While some titles will do their best to keep players on the edge of their seats with horror-filled suspense, this is not necessarily the case for all, as there are a few that are often considered more. casual, relaxed and sometimes even soothing.

This can happen in a few different ways, such as gameplay that's a bit slower and more methodical, a laid-back setting, or a story and characters that are simply more cheerful than the series is usually known for. In any case, there is a possibility and Resident Evil consider the game cozy, as demonstrated by the titles below.

8 Resident Evil Gaiden

It's easy to warm to Gaiden's silly story and stress-free gameplay

Resident Evil Gaiden plays much differently than anything else in the series, not only because of the FPS look, but also because the story is completely non-canon. The plot, which follows Leon and Barry stranded on a zombie-infested ship at sea, could have been much funnier and crazier in its delivery.

The gameplay is also much more straightforward than many of its counterparts, specifically the combat, where players must precisely time the crosshairs on the screen to shoot a zombie or bully. Not having the protagonist suddenly surrounded by hordes of zombies makes the game much less anxiety-inducing and more of a casual and comfortable handheld experience that's still worth checking out today.

7 Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D

Mercenaries 3D is a casual and cozy game that can be played in short bursts

Although there was a lot of skepticism about how well it filled Resident Evil The mercenary-centric entry would run on Nintendo's 3DS, the game proved to exceed many people's expectations as it managed to become a more than worthy handheld spin-off. Running around and throwing Ganada and Majini at the head with some of the series' most iconic characters is a gameplay loop that just never gets old and is easy to play in short but satisfying bursts.

Mercenaries 3D it also has a lot of unlockables, including new costume sets that can be obtained for each character, which makes for fun and easy stress levels. Overall, it's a casual pocket title that many consider a heartwarming love letter to fans.

6 Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

The Co-Op aspect of Operation Raccoon City is a fun and fairly relaxing experience

When Resident Evil the series then began to lean more towards the action genre Resident Evil 4one positive aspect of these titles that many fans appreciated was the ability to play co-op. Operation Raccoon Citydespite being the black sheep of the series, he's an absolute blast to play with up to 3 other friends in a what-if story that takes place during a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City.

The reason it can be considered such a cozy game is because of how easy it is to play through with a few friends. Moving through different scenarios and shooting swarms of zombies or jumping into multiplayer mode to control some of the series' most iconic heroes is a strangely relaxing experience compared to many of the much more stressful mainline games.

5 Resident Evil: Code Veronica

The Over-The-Top moments of Code Veronica are contrasted with periods of calm and ease

Resident Evil Code Veronica is far from an easy game and is also considered to be one of the longest in the entire series. One thing to note about this gothic-inspired entry is how it manages to compliment its chaotic and over-the-top moments with quiet periods that provide warmth and comfort to Claire and the players.

After escaping Rockfort Prison, for example, and fighting her way through a handful of bloodthirsty zombies, Claire eventually reaches the palace's rescue room, which, coupled with the soft music in the back, is one of the most relaxing areas in the series. Code Veronica it also features a fair amount of backtracking, but once all the zombies are taken care of, running around the island instead becomes a soothing stroll through a visually stunning set of locations.

4 Resident Evil 2 remake

Standing within the walls of the RPD is somehow much cozier than being outside

Remake of the iconic Resident Evil 2 manages to capture a unique sense of haunted coziness that other games in the series struggle to replicate. While the RPD is swarming with zombies and hideous Lickers, a lot of the game sees Leon or Claire simply finding their way around the building, learning about the events of the outbreak and picking up keys as they go.

Being inside the RPD rather than out in the dark streets is something that makes the environment eerily calming. On successive playthroughs, the game can be completed in no more than a few hours, which makes it Resident Evil the equivalent of a comfort food that is so enjoyable to snack on over and over again.

3 Resident Evil 4

A casual and hilarious adventure that's perfectly designed for replayability

Resident Evil 4 may be the most playable game ever made. Since the game is essentially divided into many areas that each present a unique challenge, it's almost like completing one minigame after another as part of the journey. Resident Evil 4 it also removes the horror enough to make the game a little more cheerful and fun, especially with the amount of simple things Leon throws around.

All of this makes for a game that experienced players can play through in a single afternoon or evening. It makes sense why so many longtime fans of the series would dip back into Leon's journey at least once every few months or years, considering how utterly comforting and nostalgic this relic really is.

2 Resident Evil Village

The aesthetic and snowy environment, like from a village fairy tale, provides him with an unusual sense of well-being

make no mistake Resident Evil Village it certainly has its fair share of terrifying enemies, but what makes the game strangely soothing are the environments that are loosely based on Romanian folklore. Navigating a large snowy village, solving puzzles and finding key items can actually be a pretty relaxing game loop, at least when the Lycans are taken care of.

The game's fairy-tale aesthetic and tone also make it far more whimsical and magical than its predecessors, almost like a twisted Disney movie. However, in the same vein as these films, the Village atmosphere manages to create a truly cozy gaming experience for most of the playtime.

1 Resident Evil remake

The sound design, music and methodical gameplay make the first game a soothing classic

After Resident Evil's short opening cutscene, players are dropped in the middle of a huge mansion that they are free to explore at their leisure. The game doesn't overwhelm players with hordes of zombies or stalkers, but instead allows them to roam the area at their own pace while being more strategic in how they approach combat.

The lack of music, the rooms lit by fire, and the whistling breeze that can be heard in the background all contribute to the game's calm and soothing atmosphere. Even economy rooms are often considered some of the best because they are simple yet comforting. The game is also extremely simple in terms of its narrative, making it an easy but still enjoyable experience that is easy to come back to.