1. Introduction: 30 Years of Running from Zombies
The Resident Evil franchise is like a rollercoaster. It has moments that freeze you in terror and moments where you are exhausted by excessive action. Over these three decades, Capcom has reinvented the formula multiple times: from Fixed Cameras and Tank Controls to the revolutionary Over-the-Shoulder perspective, and finally, the terrifying First-Person view.
In this Tekin Plus ranking, we only considered Mainline entries and major Remakes. Spin-offs like Operation Raccoon City or Umbrella Corps were excluded due to their lack of quality and relevance.
2. The Bottom Tier: When Capcom Lost Its Way
Rank 12: Resident Evil 6 (2012)
This game is the definition of an "Identity Crisis." Capcom tried to please everyone: Action fans (Chris's campaign), Horror fans (Leon's campaign), and Melee Brawler fans (Jake's campaign). The result? A bloated mess that pleased no one. The convoluted story, excessive Quick Time Events (QTEs), and zombies turning into gun-wielding soldiers make this the weakest mainline entry. It felt more like a Michael Bay movie than a survival horror game.
Rank 11: Resident Evil 0 (2002)
This game had an interesting concept: controlling two characters (Rebecca and Billy) simultaneously (Zap System). However, the baffling decision to remove the "Item Box" turned the game into a tedious nightmare. You were forced to drop items on the floor and backtrack to retrieve them later. This forced backtracking killed the pacing and tension.
Rank 10: Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)
After the masterpiece that was the RE2 Remake, expectations for Nemesis were sky-high. But this game was a missed opportunity. The removal of iconic locations like the "Clock Tower" and "Raccoon Park," the excessively short campaign (5 hours), and turning Nemesis into a scripted set-piece rather than a dynamic stalker left old-school fans disappointed. It felt more like DLC than a full game.
3. The Mid Tier: Good Games, But Not "Great" Resident Evils
Rank 9: Resident Evil 5 (2009)
If you view this game strictly as a Co-op Action Shooter, it is one of the best in history. Killing zombies (or Majini) with a friend is incredibly fun. But as a "Resident Evil"? It has zero horror. Chris Redfield punching a giant boulder inside a volcano and Sheva's AI constantly wasting ammo destroyed the sense of isolation and fear that defined the series.
Rank 8: Resident Evil Revelations 1 & 2
This spin-off series attempted to strike a balance between modern action and classic horror, and to a large extent, it succeeded. The ghost ship (Queen Zenobia) in the first game and the island prison in the second had excellent atmospheres. However, budget constraints, episodic structures, and repetitive enemy designs prevented them from becoming true masterpieces.
Rank 7: Resident Evil Village (2021)
The eighth installment feels like a "Horror Theme Park." Castle Dimitrescu (Gothic horror), House Beneviento (Psychological horror), Moreau's Reservoir (Body horror), and Heisenberg's Factory (Industrial horror). While highly entertaining and varied, it lacks the narrative cohesion and pure dread of its predecessor (RE7). Ethan Winters felt more like an immortal superhero here than a regular human struggling to survive.
4. The Top Tier: Timeless Classics
Rank 6: Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
This was the savior of the franchise. After the disaster of RE6, Capcom switched to a First-Person perspective and returned to roots (one house, one crazy family, scarce ammo), injecting fear back into gamers' veins. The Baker Family remains one of the most terrifying antagonist groups in gaming history. It proved that RE didn't need a massive scale to be successful; it needed intimacy and claustrophobia.
Rank 5: Resident Evil 2 Original (1998)
The game that made everything bigger. The RPD Police Station, the A/B Scenario system (Leon and Claire), and the introduction of iconic characters. Despite the dated graphics and tank controls, the level design, puzzles, and music of this game are still a masterclass in game development. It expanded the lore from a mansion to an entire city.
Rank 4: Resident Evil 4 Original (2005)
Perhaps the most important action game in history. The Over-the-Shoulder camera, which became the standard for all third-person shooters (from Gears of War to Uncharted), owes its existence to this game. Leon Kennedy struck the perfect balance between a cool agent and a terrified survivor. It revolutionized gameplay but sacrificed some horror elements.
5. The Holy Trinity: The Best of the Best
Rank 3: Resident Evil 1 Remake (2002)
Many still believe this is the "Purest" survival horror experience ever made. The Spencer Mansion with pre-rendered backgrounds remains beautiful and haunting to this day. The addition of "Crimson Heads" (zombies that come back faster and deadlier if you don't burn them) added a brilliant layer of strategy. This is the definitive definition of Survival Horror.
Rank 2: Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)
Capcom showed the world what a "Remake" should be. They didn't just upgrade the graphics; they modernized the gameplay and turned Mr. X into a nightmare stalker whose footsteps in the RPD hallways induced panic. The zombie dismemberment system and the dark, rainy atmosphere of Raccoon City were flawless.
Rank 1: Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
And the King. How do you improve upon a masterpiece (Original RE4)? Capcom did it. RE4 Remake kept all the strengths of the original and fixed its weaknesses (like the Island section and Ashley's AI). The Knife Parry system made gameplay fast and tactical. The story became darker and more logical, and the RE Engine graphics reached their peak. This game is the "Complete Package": Horror, Action, Puzzles, Story, and incredible Replayability.
6. Tekin Plus Verdict: The Future with RE9
The Resident Evil series has shown it can shed its skin multiple times and survive. Now, all eyes are on Resident Evil 9, which rumors suggest will be the series' first fully Open World experience. Can Capcom maintain quality and horror on a massive scale? History shows we should never underestimate them.
What do you think? Do you agree with RE4 Remake taking the #1 spot, or do you miss the Fixed Camera angles?