"Resident Evil Board Game Series: Ultimate Buying Guide"

Steamforged Games has brought some of the video game world's most iconic franchises to life on the tabletop, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and their upcoming massive Elden Ring adaptation. However, our focus today is on their thrilling 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 Resident Evil in 2023, each game in this trilogy shares core mechanics, offering a cohesive experience across the series. In these games, you and up to three friends take turns navigating through dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs, recreating the stories from each corresponding video game. Each title comes with a rich set of highly detailed plastic miniatures representing both the horrifying creatures and the brave survivor heroes you'll control.

Featured in this article

### Resident Evil: The Board Game

1See it at Amazon### Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

0See it at Amazon

Each player's turn in these games is divided into three phases: the Action Phase, the Reaction Phase, and the Tension Phase. During the Action Phase, players have four actions to spend on moving, opening or closing doors, searching for items, trading with other players, using items from their inventory, or attacking enemies. In the Reaction Phase, enemies move towards or attack the active player, prompting a dice roll to evade danger. The Tension Phase involves drawing from a special Tension deck, which can lead to nothing happening, something bad happening, or something really bad happening. By the end of the first full round, players should have a good understanding of the game mechanics and can focus on surviving the zombie apocalypse.

Combat in the Resident Evil series is dice-based, with outcomes determined by comparing dice rolls to the stats and abilities of your equipped weapons. Depending on the result, you might push an enemy away, kill it, or miss entirely. Even the simplest 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 decisions and enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.

As campaign-style board games, each Resident Evil title features multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a connected storyline, where progress carries over between sessions. Scenarios are constructed using tiles marked with locked doors, items, and other interactable elements. At the end of each scenario, players assess their inventory, health, and other factors that might influence future games. For those preferring standalone play, each scenario provides starting gear and information, ensuring a versatile gaming experience.

For fans who own multiple entries in the series, there's the possibility of cross-game integration, though some adjustments might be necessary. Due to the shared mechanics, characters and scenario tiles can be swapped between games, allowing for creative combinations like having Leon navigate the Spencer Mansion with Chris.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

### Resident Evil: The Board Game

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

The latest and most polished entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, refines the best elements of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics. Players take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the enigmatic Spencer Mansion and surrounding areas. A new feature allows players to utilize support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can be sent on missions to gather resources, though at the risk of being compromised.

Resident Evil enhances the narrative flow by allowing players to explore the mansion in various sequences, with rooms unlocked by specific items and puzzle-solving. The game uses special cards to construct the environment, streamlining setup compared to previous titles. If you're only looking to dive into one game from the series, Resident Evil is the top pick, as it introduces a new mechanic where standard zombies remain on the board after being killed, becoming more dangerous Red Zombies unless burned with Kerosene. This entry refines and evolves the gameplay, making it a standout choice.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion

### Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $69.99See it at Amazon

The Bleak Outpost expansion introduces six new scenarios and two formidable bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, taking players to new areas like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. This expansion is perfect for fans of the base Resident Evil game, offering both a mini-campaign and standalone sessions.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $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, the first in Steamforged's Resident Evil board game series, plunges players into the zombie-filled corridors of the Raccoon City police station and beyond, confronting horrors from the Umbrella Corporation. Players take on the roles of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing challenges such as Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. These missions guide players from the S.T.A.R.S Office to their escape from the Umbrella Laboratory.

While Resident Evil 2 may be the second game chronologically, it's recommended as a starting point due to its lack of some refinements found in later games. The game follows a linear narrative without the flexibility seen in subsequent titles. Some quality-of-life issues, such as overly dark scenario tiles and missing components for life and ammo dials, are present but can be worked around. Despite these, Resident Evil 2 remains an enjoyable cooperative experience, with scenarios that demand careful planning and strategy.

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 AmazonMSRP: $54.99USDSee it at Amazon

The B-Files expansion doubles the number of scenarios for Resident Evil 2, introducing new items, enemies, and 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

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $32.99See it at Amazon

Designed to complement the B-Files expansion, Malformations of G challenges 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 AmazonMSRP: $54.99See it at Amazon

The Survival Horror expansion is highly recommended, adding five new playable characters and upgraded versions of two base game characters, along with new enemies and a PvP gameplay mode for a fresh twist on the experience.

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

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

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $32.99See it at Amazon

The 4th Survivor expansion brings beloved characters Hunk and Tofu into the mix, along with new gameplay modes that challenge players to fight through hordes of enemies and compete in a PvP race to prevent an outbreak. The Tofu miniature alone makes this expansion a must-have.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

### Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $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 foundations laid by Resident Evil 2, both in storyline and mechanics. It moves away from the linear scenario structure, offering players choices in how they explore the devastated Raccoon City. Players can choose to play as Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to navigate the city while evading the terrifying Nemesis.

Resident Evil 3 introduces a more dynamic narrative, with areas becoming accessible as players find key items. The game escalates in difficulty as the city deteriorates, influenced by player actions and success in objectives. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the worsening situation, and the Narrative deck keeps each playthrough fresh and unpredictable. The survival horror tension is heightened as players decide whether to backtrack for resources or push forward with what they have.

While the game's components are generally high quality, the scenario map's material feels less durable compared to other elements. If you're interested in a more open-ended campaign and want to bypass Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 is an excellent entry point into 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 AmazonMSRP: $44.99See 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 also introduces new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant, challenging players to use their skills to survive.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

### Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $69.99See it at Amazon

City of Ruin offers nine new scenarios, taking players to locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, where new enemies and bosses await. New weapons and items are crucial for facing the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis, ensuring an intense and engaging experience.