Current Events > I have RE7 here, but feel the need to play the earlier games. Where to start?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm dying to play RE7 but I feel like I should start earlier in the series first. The PS1 titles probably feel pretty dated by now, though. Should I start with REmake? 4? Just start with 7?
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Literally play them in the order you just listed
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PS is dated but they are starting to remake all of the originals. First on GC, but now PC as well. It's worth playing all for the storyline, imo.
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I suggest playing Outbreak 1 and revelations 1 at least
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You do NOT have to play any RE games to enjoy RE7


It barely references any of them and is a stand alone game.

Take away a handful of the series signatures like Sound Effects or Herbs and you could have called RE7 anything
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FYI - up until RE4, every Resident Evil game played the same way, where the camera was at a "cinematic" angle and you have tank controls (where you cannot move and look at the same time, you have to rotate your character to the direction you want to go and then run straight).

this is SUPER dated now and for a lot of people it's kind of unplayable. personally i cannot play the old RE games.

4 is a turning point in the franchise though because they moved the camera to a 3rd person perspective and it became a lot more of an action/shooter game than a survival horror one. IMO 4 is a masterpiece so i'd either start with REmake on Gamecube or RE4 on Gamecube/PS2, then jump right into RE7. I didn't play RE7 but I did play the demo and it has the vibe of the original RE games but with modern controls and a few other conveniences, which believe me are a big deal with this franchise.
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REmake. If you like that style of game then you can give RE2 and 3 a try.

If you really are hungry for more Code Veronica X is in the same style. I didn't like Resident Evil 0 personally.

Then you can move onto the modern stuff.

If you're worried about storyline I wouldn't concern yourself too much. The overall storyline is pretty nonsense. I haven't played RE7 but they all pretty much can stand on their own.
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I hate to agree with Unfair but just jump straight to 7. It's a standalone game and none of the core RE characters appear or are involved.

As mentioned, anything pre-RE4 has those shit tank controls. You might just waste money and get really frustrated.

RE4 and RE5 and pretty much third person shooters. I would highly recommend 4 and would even recommend 5 if you have someone to co-op with. Again 7 has NOTHING to do with these games so play 7 since you already own it.

6 was trash. Pretend it never exists.
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Is 5 even any fun single player? Or is it like Left 4 Dead where it was clearly meant to be enjoyed with friends?
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Start with 7.

Play REmake after. I like the original PS1 version best, but the remade one will be an easier transition (not that the game itself is easy).

If you like REmake, go on to 0, 2, 3, and Code Veronica. If you don't, play RE4 and Revelations. Don't play 5 or 6 without a co-op partner.

Also, if you have access to a PS2 and lightgun, Dead Aim is a lot of fun.

thepope_3290 posted...

Is 5 even any fun single player? Or is it like Left 4 Dead where it was clearly meant to be enjoyed with friends?

it's ok single player. you have a co-op buddy with you at all times but if you know a few tricks it's pretty manageable.

gameplay wise it's not that great, about halfway through it just turns into a straight up shooter and isn't fun, although seeing chris redfield uppercut a boulder is worth the entire game
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thepope_3290 posted...

Is 5 even any fun single player? Or is it like Left 4 Dead where it was clearly meant to be enjoyed with friends?

It's okay in single player. It is better in coop but it's not as bad as Left 4 Dead. RE4 is a lot better.
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If you can stomach the controls in one, it might be worth a playthrough. 7 actually has quite a few references to it, though nothing really important plotwise.
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These always amuse me.
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2 and 4 are their respective bests when it comes to the fixed camera and over the shoulder RE games, so either/or on that front.
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As someone who hates to play any game series out of order, you 100% do not need to play them in order to play RE7.

But if you really insist, the order you listed is about right. Playing the original Resident Evil is unnecessary since REmake is what's considered canon, so you can just play that one first. RE0 isn't really necessary either.
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RE7 is pretty much a standalone game.

The numbering should give you a hint on where to start, buddy.......

But like others said, it doesn't matter. RE7 has a couple teases about earlier games, but it doesn't really spoil or make any obvious references, except for maybe the very end of the game. But even that is very open-ended and confusing, hardly something that would even be considered a spoiler for older games.

So if you want to play them in order, just because, then start with the original, and the GC/PS4 versions are better than the original, since the original RE is outdated (still a lot of fun though).
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IMO play them in order of release.

Keep in mind some are harder than other.