"Resident Evil Board Game Series: Ultimate Buying Guide"

In the Steamforged Games library, you'll find a diverse array of adaptations from major video game franchises, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the highly anticipated Elden Ring. However, today we're diving into their Resident Evil series, which includes Resident Evil 2 (2019), Resident Evil 3 (2021), and Resident Evil (2023).

Each game in this thrilling trilogy follows a similar gameplay structure, where players, along with up to three friends, take turns navigating through eerie corridors, blazing streets, and sinister labs, bringing the iconic stories to life. The games are enriched with meticulously crafted plastic miniatures that represent both the monstrous adversaries and the valiant survivor heroes.

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 installment, Resident Evil, refines the mechanics of its predecessors and introduces new elements, creating an immersive and tense experience. Players can take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the mysterious Spencer mansion and surrounding areas. This game introduces special support characters such as Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can undertake missions to gather supplies and assist the team, albeit at personal risk.

The narrative in Resident Evil is flexible, allowing players to explore the mansion's rooms in various orders, with new areas unlocked by specific items and puzzle-solving. The game uses cards to represent locations, an improvement over the paper dashboard used in Resident Evil 3, allowing for quicker setup and a more dynamic experience reminiscent of games like Betrayal at the House on the Hill.

For those not interested in the entire series, this game is the top recommendation due to its refined gameplay and engaging mechanics. Notably, the standard zombies pose a greater threat, as their bodies remain on the board unless burned with Kerosene, potentially reanimating as the more dangerous Red Zombies.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $69.99
See it at Amazon

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

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

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

Resident Evil 2 was Steamforged's first foray into the series, introducing players to the zombie-infested Racoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can choose from Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo to face off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios, from the S.T.A.R.S Office to the Umbrella Laboratory.

Although it lacks some of the refined features found in later games, Resident Evil 2 remains a fun and strategic experience. However, the game's linear scenario structure and some quality-of-life issues, like dark tiles and missing components, can detract from the overall experience.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $54.99 USD
See it at Amazon

The B-Files expansion doubles the number of scenarios, introduces new items, enemies, and the challenging goal 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

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $32.99
See it at Amazon

This small-box expansion is designed to be used with the B-Files expansion, allowing players to face Birkin Stage Three before making their escape.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $54.99
See it at Amazon

The Survival Horror expansion is a must-have, adding five new playable characters, advanced versions of existing ones, new enemies, and a new PVP gameplay mode for those seeking a different challenge.

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

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

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $32.99
See it at Amazon

This expansion introduces fan-favorite characters Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes like fighting through hordes of enemies and the PVP Extreme Battle mode, making it a great addition for fans.

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 the foundation laid by Resident Evil 2, retaining core gameplay elements while introducing more open-ended exploration in the ruins of Racoon City. Players can choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to navigate the city while being pursued by Nemesis.

The game's narrative flow allows for varied exploration, with certain areas only accessible after finding specific key items. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the city's deteriorating condition, making the game progressively harder. The Narrative deck adds replayability by keeping each playthrough unique.

The only drawback is the scenario map, which feels less robust compared to other components. For those looking to skip Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 is an excellent starting point due to its open-ended campaign structure.

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 and advanced versions of the base game's cast, along with new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It introduces new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant for a challenging experience.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $69.99
See it at Amazon

City of Ruin offers nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and bosses, including the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis. New weapons and items are crucial for overcoming these challenges.

Each player's turn in these games consists of three phases: the Action Phase, where players can move, interact with doors, search for items, trade, use inventory items, or attack; the Reaction Phase, where enemies move and attack, requiring players to roll dice to avoid danger; and the Tension Phase, where players draw from the Tension deck, which can result in nothing happening, something bad happening, or something really bad happening. By the end of the first round, players should have a solid understanding of the game mechanics and can focus on surviving the zombie apocalypse.

Combat involves rolling dice and comparing results against the equipped weapon's stats and abilities, determining whether enemies are pushed, killed, or missed. Shooting can attract nearby enemies, adding a layer of strategy to combat decisions and enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.

As campaign board games, each title features multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a connected narrative, with items and conditions carrying over between sessions. Players can also mix and match characters and scenario tiles across the series for a customized experience, although some adjustments may be necessary.

For fans of the Resident Evil video games and tabletop enthusiasts alike, the Steamforged Games' Resident Evil series offers a thrilling and immersive experience that captures the essence of the iconic franchise.