Resident Evil: The Board Game Series Buying Guide

Steamforged Games' Resident Evil board game trilogy – encompassing Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3 – offers a captivating tabletop experience for fans of the survival horror genre. Each game shares core mechanics, allowing players (1-4, ideally 2) to navigate perilous environments, battling hordes of terrifying creatures with detailed miniatures. Gameplay unfolds across three phases: Action, Reaction, and Tension, introducing strategic depth and suspense.

Featured Games & Expansions:

Resident Evil: The Board Game (MSRP: $114.99)

• Highlights: The most refined entry, featuring improved mechanics, support characters (Wesker!), and a card-based map system for faster setup. Burning corpses with kerosene adds a strategic layer. Highly recommended as a standalone purchase.

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion (MSRP: $69.99)

• Highlights: Six new scenarios, two new bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), and new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. A great addition for base game owners.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game (MSRP: $114.99)

• Highlights: The series' origin point, introducing players to Raccoon City Police Station. Features Leon, Claire, Ada, and Robert Kendo battling Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. While fun, it lacks the refinement of later entries.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game: B-Files Expansion (MSRP: $54.99)

• Highlights: Doubles the number of scenarios, introduces new items, enemies, and the goal of escaping Mr. X.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion (MSRP: $32.99)

• Highlights: Played alongside B-Files, offering a challenging encounter with Birkin Stage Three.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion (MSRP: $54.99)

• Highlights: Adds five new characters, advanced versions of existing characters, new enemies, and a PvP mode. Highly recommended.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion (MSRP: $32.99)

• Highlights: Introduces Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, adding new horde-based and PvP modes. The Tofu miniature is a highlight.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game (MSRP: $114.99)

• Highlights: Builds upon RE2's mechanics with a more open-ended campaign structure, featuring Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, and Nikolai facing Nemesis in the ravaged Raccoon City. The Danger Tracker mechanic adds escalating tension.

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion (MSRP: $44.99)

• Highlights: Adds new characters (Barry Burton, Brad Vickers, etc.), monsters (Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders), and a permadeath variant.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion (MSRP: $69.99)

• Highlights: Nine new scenarios across locations like the City Hospital and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and a Stage 3 Nemesis.

Gameplay Overview:

Dice rolling governs combat, with weapon stats and character abilities determining outcomes. The tension mechanic adds unpredictable events, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere. Scenarios can be played individually or linked together for a cohesive campaign experience. Some crossover between games is possible, allowing for character and tile mixing.

The Resident Evil board game series provides a thrilling and replayable experience, capturing the essence of the video games with strategic gameplay and a chilling atmosphere. While Resident Evil is the most polished, each game offers unique strengths and expansions to further enhance the gameplay.