The most engaging Resident Evil games

Key things

• The Resident Evil games excel at immersion through graphics, sound, and lighting.
• Games like Code: Veronica and RE2 Remake create realistic environments.
• The first-person view and lack of music add to the immersion of games like Village and RE7.

Creating a strong sense of immersion in a horror game is important to make players feel like they are actually living the nightmare. Consequently Resident Evil the series has always done an admirable job of drawing players into the experience, using graphical quality, sound design, and many other clever techniques that combine to create a terrifyingly realistic experience.

While not every game in the franchise has pulled this off, it's clear that when Capcom wants to create an immersive horror experience, they're more than capable. When it comes down to it Resident Evil however, these items in particular do the best job of immersing the player in their scenarios.

8 Resident Evil – Code: Veronica

The Rockfort Island area feels more like a realistic location than the hub world

Although Resident Evil 2 and 3 allowed players to explore Raccoon City, Code: Veronika drops them into a completely new environment: Rockfort Island. Because of how much backtracking is involved in the game, it means that players will get used to the island a lot, and because it consists of so many different departments, such as a palace, a barracks, and a private residence, it feels less like a video game center world and more like a real environment that could exist in real life.

Another way Capcom did it Code: Veronika the use of lighting and how Claire's pocket lighter created shadows of people and objects around her was absorbing. It might seem like a small touch, but it's important to point out that almost no games did this in the early 2000s, and it added a lot to realism Code: Veronikaas a result.

7 Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

An arcade shooter that immerses the player in the action at all times

The Darkside Chronicles is a retelling of both Resident Evil 2 and Code: Veronikaalong with a campaign focused on Leon's mission with Krauser as part of Operation Javier. Since this game is an arcade FPS shooter, players are constantly in the center of the action, with few moments of safety.

What's more, it is The Dark Side ChroniclesCampaigns always increase with enemies being thrown at the player, meaning you never know what monsters will appear around the next corner. The Dark Side Chronicles is an offering that allows players to feel as if they are right there with the main characters during their adventures in Raccoon City and Rockfort Island, an underrated gem that excels in terms of immersion.

6 Resident Evil 4 remake

Resident Evil 4's lack of loading screens and clever AI enemies

Although a remake Resident Evil 4 is still divided into chapters, making the village, castle, and island their own open hubs, avoiding the immersive loading screens that appeared in the original. Another way the remake improves on this area is the enemies. In the original Resident Evil 4enemies would follow specific attack patterns and would always react in a specific way when shot in the head, leg, or arm.

For Resident Evil 4 Remake though the Ganado are much more unpredictable as seen during the chaotic village horde where groups try to ambush Leon and block his path. Of course, thanks to the huge graphical boost that comes with the RE engine, every area and enemy of the classic survival horror gem is even more realistic this time around.

5 Resident Evil 0

Resident Evil 0 modifies the classic game formula to make the game more exciting and realistic

Resident Evil 0 is a fairly unusual game in the series that takes some bold risks in its gameplay, the most obvious of which is that players now control two characters instead of one. Since players will have to think strategically about where to place Rebecca and Billy, this means they must always be aware of their surroundings and constantly focus on the game, as being too reckless can easily get one or the other killed.

This level of immersion is only enhanced by the fact that the game does away with item boxes entirely, meaning players can drop items on the floor to return to later if needed. Not all fans were happy with these changes to the classic formula, but if anything, they do a great job of drawing players into Rebecca and Billy's journey by encouraging them to pay more attention to the game and the areas they explore.

4 Resident Evil

The lack of music, eerie lighting and stunning visuals make the Resident Evil remake an immersive treat

The Resident Evil remake he's taken what made the original so special and given it a fresh coat of paint to create a title that's a masterclass in immersion. Once players arrive at the Spencer Mansion and gain control of their character, all they can hear is a faint wind whistling through the windows along with an eerily ticking clock from one of the rooms. The lack of music makes the mansion itself feel like a haunted abandoned building that also looks amazingly realistic from a visual standpoint.

While the door loading screens may seem a little dated to some these days, they also go a long way in creating an immersive atmosphere, forcing the player to move through each area methodically rather than running and gunning. It's also worth mentioning that the game features some excellent lighting effects, with candles and lightning shining into each room to add even more realism to the Spencer Mansion as an area.

3 Resident Evil Village

The village still feels eerily real despite the storybook aesthetic

As for the gradual immersion into Resident Evil games, the first-person view has really done wonders for the franchise, as perfectly demonstrated in the Resident Evil Village. Despite Village Leaning heavily on its storybook aesthetic, the first-person camera angle coupled with the lack of music and 3D sound makes every area Ethan visits feel like a real place.

Resident Evil Village it also dials down the HUD to avoid breaking player immersion, and tutorials are virtually non-existent. To be fully immersed in Ethan's second terrifying adventure, players should put on their headphones and turn on HDR to enjoy the game in all its terrifying glory.

2 Resident Evil 2 remake

The RE Engine does wonders for the visual and sound design of Resident Evil 2 Remake

One way Capcom succeeded Resident Evil 2 Remake a terrifying but also completely immersive experience was that zombies were scary again. They might just be the most realistic zombies ever seen in the game, slowly shuffling through the narrow corridors of the RPD and only lunging at the player if they end up getting too close.

Couple that with the amazing use of darkness and the vivid screams and howls of the zombies as they slam the door and it's no wonder why Resident Evil 2 remake is considered such a terrifying entry into the franchise. All of this is taken to a whole new level once Mr. X enters the fray, where players can hear his boots stomping on the ground from afar thanks to the impressive audio design that is put to great use here.

1 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The choice of first-person perspective makes Resident Evil 7 a nightmarish, unforgettable and immersive experience

Resident Evil 7 was a turning point for the franchise in many ways. Not only did it introduce a first-person view that allowed players to get up close and personal with the Baker family and their blight-infested estate, it also marked the debut of the RE engine, which drastically improved the graphics. The result is a terrifying adventure that immerses players in the experience from the moment they leave Ethan's car and step into the Baker household.

While the impressive graphics allow players to feel like they are right there with Ethan on his journey to save Mia, Resident Evil 7 feeling so genuine is the amount of attention to detail that goes into the whole experience. Whether it's the small hints of decay in each of the rooms, or even the beeps that play every now and then to remind players that they're being watched, it all adds up to one of the most impressive horror games ever made.