"Resident Evil Board Game Series: Ultimate Buying Guide"

Steamforged Games has carved out a niche in the board game industry by adapting popular video game franchises into engaging tabletop experiences. Among their impressive lineup, which includes titles like Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, and Gears of War, their Resident Evil series stands out with its detailed adaptations of Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3. These games, released in 2019, 2021, and 2023 respectively, offer a cooperative horror experience where players navigate through iconic settings, facing off against gruesome creatures brought to life through high-quality plastic miniatures.

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

In each Resident Evil board game, players take turns navigating through eerie environments, from dark passages to burning streets and sinister labs, embodying the narratives of the original video games. Each player's turn is structured into three phases: the Action Phase, where players can move, interact with the environment, or engage in combat; the Reaction Phase, during which enemies respond and possibly attack; and the Tension Phase, where drawing from the Tension deck can lead to various outcomes, adding unpredictability to each session.

Combat in these games relies on dice rolls, matching the outcomes against weapon stats and abilities. This system introduces a level of strategy and tension, as even basic enemies can pose a significant threat if luck isn't on your side. Moreover, the noise from gunfire can attract additional enemies, heightening the survival horror atmosphere.

Each game in the Resident Evil series is designed as a campaign with multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a larger narrative. The scenarios use tiles to construct levels, with tokens marking key elements like locked doors and items. At the end of each scenario, players assess their inventories and health, which can carry over to future games, enhancing the continuity of the experience.

For fans who own multiple entries in the series, there's an opportunity to mix and match elements between games, such as using characters or tiles from one game in another. This flexibility allows for creative play experiences, although some adjustments may be necessary to ensure compatibility.

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 entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, refines and builds upon the mechanics of its predecessors. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and its surroundings as characters like Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, with support from characters like Albert Wesker. A new mechanic involves managing Kerosene to burn zombie corpses, preventing them from becoming more dangerous Red Zombies. This game introduces flexible narrative flow and uses cards for map construction, making setup more efficient. For those looking to dive into the series, this is a highly recommended starting point.

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 adds depth to the base game with six new scenarios and two formidable bosses, Neptune and Plant-42. Players venture into new areas like the Guard House and Aqua Ring, making it an excellent addition for fans of the core game.

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

Launching Steamforged's Resident Evil board game series, Resident Evil 2 immerses players in the eerie corridors of the Raccoon City police station. As characters like Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, players face off against iconic enemies over eight scenarios. While lacking some refinements found in later games, Resident Evil 2 remains a thrilling cooperative experience, though its linear narrative and darker tiles might be less appealing compared to its successors.

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 enriches Resident Evil 2 with additional scenarios and introduces new enemies and items, including a challenging escape 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 adds encounters with Birkin Stage Three, enhancing the game's intensity.

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 introduces new characters, revamped versions of existing ones, and a PvP mode, offering a fresh twist to the cooperative gameplay.

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

This expansion adds beloved characters like Hunk and Tofu, along with new game modes that challenge players to survive intense enemy encounters, making it a must-have for fans of the series.

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 foundation laid by its predecessor, introducing a non-linear approach to exploring Raccoon City. Players can choose from characters like Jill and Carlos, each with unique abilities to combat the Nemesis and other threats. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the city's deteriorating state, and the Narrative deck adds variability to each playthrough. While the game's components are generally high quality, the scenario map's material feels less durable, but this does not detract significantly from the overall experience. For those interested in a more open-ended campaign, 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 introduces new characters and monsters, including Brain Suckers and Giant Spiders, along with new rules and a permadeath variant, intensifying the challenge for players.

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 expands the game with nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis, along with new weapons to aid in survival.