Resident Evil Games in Chronological Order: The Complete Story Timeline 2026

Resident Evil games in chronological order offer the clearest path through one of gaming's most tangled storylines. Since 1996, Capcom has built a franchise where the narrative is deliberately murky, with sparse details and side information scattered across games. Even the recent remakes and latest entries do little to clarify the convoluted continuity, though there seems to be some will to simplify it.

This guide attempts to shed light on the dark history underpinning Resident Evil's plots by ordering the video games chronologically. Prequels come first, and the rest are arranged to fully understand the story of the colossal clash between Umbrella and S.T.A.R.S., with resurrected dead and colonial mansions in the background. Here are the Resident Evil games in chronological order, with the fictional dates where they take place.

Warning: Naturally, this text contains spoilers of key plot elements from the franchise. Proceed at your own risk.

Resident Evil 0: The Prequel That Sets the Stage

As its title indicates, this game takes place immediately before the original Resident Evil. It follows Rebecca Chambers, a member of the Bravo team of the special operations group S.T.A.R.S., and a convict named Billy Coen, who investigate a series of murders in the mountains. There they encounter a crashed train belonging to the Umbrella Corporation. One of the agents... (the excerpt cuts off, but the game establishes the initial outbreak and Umbrella's bioweapon experiments.)

Resident Evil 0 is crucial for understanding the origins of the T-virus and the fates of key characters. It's set in July 1998, just days before the mansion incident.

Resident Evil (1996/2002 Remake): The Mansion Incident

The original game, set in July 1998, follows Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as they investigate a series of cannibalistic murders in the Arklay Mountains. They take refuge in a mansion that turns out to be a front for Umbrella's illegal bioweapon research. The game introduces the T-virus, zombies, and the evil corporation Umbrella.

The 2002 remake for GameCube (later remastered) is the definitive version, expanding the story and adding new areas. It's the best starting point for newcomers.

Resident Evil 2 (1998/2019 Remake): The Raccoon City Outbreak

Set in September 1998, two months after the mansion incident, Resident Evil 2 follows rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they arrive in Raccoon City only to find it overrun by zombies. The game introduces the G-virus and the iconic Mr. X.

The 2019 remake modernized the gameplay and is considered one of the best remakes ever made. It's essential for understanding the series' shift to a wider conspiracy.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999/2020 Remake): Jill's Escape

Taking place concurrently with Resident Evil 2, this game follows Jill Valentine as she tries to escape Raccoon City while being hunted by the Nemesis, a bioweapon sent by Umbrella to kill remaining S.T.A.R.S. members. The 2020 remake offers a more action-oriented experience but retains the core story.

Resident Evil 3 depicts the destruction of Raccoon City by a missile strike, a pivotal event in the series timeline.

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica (2000): The Ashford Legacy

Set three months after Resident Evil 2, in December 1998, Code: Veronica follows Claire Redfield as she searches for her brother Chris and ends up on a prison island run by the Ashford family, another Umbrella rival. The game introduces the T-Veronica virus and deepens the lore around Umbrella's internal power struggles.

This entry is often praised for its story and atmosphere, though it hasn't received a full remake yet.

Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023 Remake): The Los Illuminados Cult

Set in 2004, six years after Raccoon City, Resident Evil 4 follows Leon S. Kennedy as he rescues the President's daughter from a mysterious cult in rural Spain. The game introduces the Las Plagas parasite and shifts the series toward action, though the 2023 remake balances horror and action more effectively.

Resident Evil 4 is a fan favorite and a turning point in the franchise's gameplay style.

Resident Evil 5 (2009): Chris and Sheva in Africa

Set in 2009, Resident Evil 5 takes Chris Redfield to Africa to investigate a bioterrorism threat and confronts him with his old nemesis, Albert Wesker. The game introduces cooperative play and expands on the Progenitor virus lore.

While controversial for its action-heavy approach, it provides closure to the Umbrella storyline.

Resident Evil 6 (2012): Global Bioterrorism

Set in 2012-2013, Resident Evil 6 features four interconnected campaigns starring Leon, Chris, Jake Muller (Wesker's son), and Ada Wong. The game deals with a global bioterrorist attack using the C-virus.

It's the most divisive entry, but it ties together many loose ends from previous games.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017): A New Beginning

Set in 2017, Resident Evil 7 shifts to first-person perspective and introduces Ethan Winters, who searches for his missing wife in a derelict plantation in Louisiana. The game brings the series back to its survival horror roots and introduces the Mold and the Baker family.

It's a soft reboot that sets up the events of Resident Evil Village. Context on how this played out before sits in Resident Evil Games in Chronological Order: The Complete Story Timeline.

Resident Evil Village (2021): The Winters' Saga Continues

Set in 2021, Resident Evil Village continues Ethan Winters' story as he tries to rescue his daughter from a mysterious village in Eastern Europe. The game introduces new antagonists like Lady Dimitrescu and explores the origins of the Mold. The background to this story is set out in How Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Redefines Game Adaptations. A related thread runs through Resident Evil Review: Zach Cregger's Wild Horror Rollercoaster.

It serves as a direct sequel to RE7 and concludes the Winters family storyline. Earlier coverage in Zach Cregger on Resident Evil Reboot and Weapons Success shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Gaming: latest articles.

Upcoming and Spin-off Titles

Beyond the main numbered entries, the series includes spin-offs like Resident Evil: Revelations (set between RE4 and RE5) and Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (set between RE5 and RE6), which fill gaps in the timeline. Upcoming remakes, such as the rumored Code: Veronica remake, may further refine the chronology. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Bambu Lab A2L Combo Giveaway: What Goldman Media Subscribers Need to Know. The same theme surfaces in Lidl's 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker: Silvercrest With Interchangeable Plates, which takes a different angle.

FAQ

Understanding the chronological order enhances appreciation for the series' intricate lore. As the franchise evolves, new entries and remakes continue to shape the timeline. For a deeper dive into how recent adaptations handle the source material, see how Zach Cregger's Resident Evil redefines game adaptations. His approach to the horror rollercoaster has sparked discussions among fans about staying true to the games. Cregger's insights on the reboot and Weapons success also shed light on the future of the franchise.