Resident Evil: The Board Game Series Buying Guide

In the Steamforged Games library, you'll discover adaptations of some of the video game world's biggest franchises, from Monster Hunter to Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves to Gears of War, and the highly anticipated Elden Ring adaptation set to release soon. However, our focus here is on the company's Resident Evil series, which includes Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3.

Starting with Resident Evil 2 in 2019, followed by Resident Evil 3 in 2021, and culminating with Resident Evil in 2023, these games share many similar mechanics. In each title, you and up to three friends take turns navigating dark passages, burning streets, and nefarious labs, playing out the stories of each respective game. Each game is accompanied by a wealth of intricately detailed plastic miniatures that depict the gruesome creatures you'll face, as well as the survivor heroes you'll control.

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Resident Evil: The Board Game

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Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

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Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

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Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

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Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion

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Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

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Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

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Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

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Each player's turn in these games consists of three phases: the Action Phase, the Reaction Phase, and the Tension Phase. During the Action Phase, you have four actions to perform tasks such as moving, opening or closing doors, searching areas for items, trading with other players, using items from your inventory, or attacking. In the Reaction Phase, enemies move towards or attack the active player, prompting a dice roll to avoid danger. The Tension Phase involves drawing from the Tension deck, which can lead to various outcomes, from nothing happening to facing severe consequences. By the end of the first round, players should have a solid understanding of the gameplay and can focus on strategies for survival and success in the zombie apocalypse.

Combat is resolved by rolling dice and comparing the results with your equipped weapon's stats and abilities. Depending on your roll, you might push an enemy, kill it, or miss. Even basic zombies can be challenging to defeat if luck isn't on your side. Firing a weapon can also attract enemies from adjacent rooms, adding a strategic layer to combat that enhances the survival horror atmosphere.

As campaign board games, each title includes multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a connected narrative, where elements carry over from one session to the next. Levels are constructed using tiles, with tokens indicating locked doors, items, and other discoveries. At the end of each scenario, players assess their inventories and health, which can impact future games. Whether you play these scenarios as standalone experiences or as part of a continuous campaign, the setup is flexible and accommodating.

For those who own multiple entries in the series, there's potential for crossover, although some adjustments might be necessary. Due to shared mechanics, you can mix and match characters and scenario tiles across the games, creating unique experiences. While the rules don't explicitly allow this, it's feasible with minor adjustments.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

Resident Evil: The Board Game

1See it at Amazon MSRP: $114.99 USD Players: 1-4 (best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon

The latest and most refined entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, builds upon and enhances the best features of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics. In this game, players can take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the mysterious Spencer mansion and its surroundings. New support characters, such as Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, can be sent on missions to gather supplies, adding a strategic layer at the risk of their own survival.

Resident Evil's narrative flow is flexible, allowing players to explore the mansion's rooms in various orders, with rooms unlocked by specific items and puzzle-solving. The game uses special cards to create the mansion and other locations, improving setup times compared to previous entries. If you're not interested in collecting the entire series, this game stands out as the best standalone option.

Standard zombies pose a greater threat in this game, as their bodies remain on the board after being killed unless burned with a new resource, Kerosene, which could otherwise see them return as more dangerous Red Zombies. Resident Evil refines and evolves its gameplay, making it a highly recommended choice for those looking to dive into the series.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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The Bleak Outpost expansion adds six new scenarios and two new bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, taking players to new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. It's a fantastic addition for fans of the base game, offering both standalone and mini-campaign play options.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge website price) Player: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon

Resident Evil 2 introduced players to the zombie-infested hallways of the Raccoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can control Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo as they face Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios, from the S.T.A.R.S Office to their escape from the Umbrella Laboratory.

While Resident Evil 2 may be the second chronologically, it lacks some of the refinements found in later titles. Its campaign is linear, with scenarios following a fixed order, and some quality-of-life issues, such as overly dark tiles and missing components, can detract from the experience. However, the gameplay remains engaging, requiring strategic planning to avoid being overwhelmed by enemies.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

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The B-Files expansion doubles the number of scenarios, introduces new items and enemies, and adds the challenge of escaping from Mr. X.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

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Designed to complement the B-Files expansion, Malformations lets players confront Birkin Stage Three before escaping.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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The Survival Horror expansion adds five new playable characters, revamped versions of existing ones, and introduces new enemies and a PVP gameplay mode, making it a highly recommended addition for those seeking variety.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion

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This expansion introduces Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, along with new modes like fighting through hordes of enemies and a PVP race to prevent an outbreak. The Tofu miniature alone is a compelling reason to add this to your collection.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge’s website) Players: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon

Resident Evil 3 builds upon Resident Evil 2, introducing non-linear exploration of Raccoon City's ruins. Players can choose to play as Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to survive while being hunted by Nemesis. The game's new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the city's deteriorating state, increasing difficulty as the campaign progresses. The Narrative deck adds variability, enhancing the survival horror experience.

The only downside is the quality of the scenario map, which feels less durable than other components. If you prefer a more open-ended campaign and want to skip Resident Evil 2, this game is an excellent starting point for the series.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 See it at Amazon

The Last Escape expansion adds new playable characters, advanced versions of existing ones, and introduces new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It also includes new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant, challenging players' survival skills.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

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City of Ruin offers nine new scenarios, taking players through locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory. New enemies and bosses await, along with new weapons and items to aid in your battle against the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis.