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Resident Evil

Resident Evil is a survival horror franchise by Capcom spanning games and films, known for its bioweapon outbreaks and iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine.

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Resident Evil

Format

game

Release Year

2020

Current Status

Unknown

Country of Origin

Japan

Creator

Shinji Mikami, Capcom

Publisher

Capcom

Original Work

game

Genre

other

Where to Start & Recommended Order

A beginner-friendly guide for starting Resident Evil without spoilers.

Best starting point

Start with the earliest core game (around 2020), then expand to other official releases as needed.

Recommended order

If multiple formats exist (anime, manga, films, games), follow the official release order within each format to avoid spoilers and missing context.

Fast-track option

To catch up faster, focus on the main story / questline first, then return to side content later.

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Resident Evil.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

Resident Evil is a survival horror franchise by Capcom spanning games and films, known for its bioweapon outbreaks and iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

A reality where pharmaceutical giants like Umbrella Corporation conduct unethical genetic experiments, leading to T-Virus outbreaks that turn humans into zombies and animals into monsters.Bioterrorism...

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Fear and isolation, Resource management, Corporate corruption, Biological evolution, Partner dynamics

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Resident Evil's global influence.

Creation

1996 - Resident Evil debuts on PlayStation

Evolution

From fixed-camera tank controls to over-the-shoulder action to first-person VR horror

Key Milestones

1996: Original Resident Evil defines survival horror,1998: Resident Evil 2 sets sales records,2002: Resident Evil (Remake) sets visual benchmark,2005: Resident Evil 4 revolutionizes third-person shooters,2017: Resident Evil 7 returns to horror roots in VR,2019: Resident Evil 2 Remake achieves critical acclaim,2021: Resident Evil Village continues the success,2023: Resident Evil 4 Remake becomes a modern classic

Legacy

The father of survival horror and one of gaming's most enduring franchises

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Resident Evil.

Leon S. Kennedy

“No thanks, bro.”

A rookie cop turned government agent who survived the Raccoon City outbreak and has saved the President's daughter.View Profile

Jill Valentine

“You want S.T.A.R.S.? I'll give you S.T.A.R.S.!”

One of the original S.T.A.R.S.View Profile

Chris Redfield

“I'm going to stop Umbrella.”

A former S.T.A.R.S.View Profile

Claire Redfield

“I have to find my brother.”

Chris's younger sister who survived Raccoon City and became a human rights activist for TerraSave.View Profile

Ethan Winters

“Why does everyone die around me?”

An ordinary systems engineer who goes to hell and back to save his wife and daughter from bio-horrors.View Profile

Alice

“My name is Alice... and this is my story.”

A former Umbrella Corporation security operative who turns against the company and fights the undead.View Profile

Explore all Resident Evil characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best order to play the games?▼

Starting with the Remakes of RE2, RE3, and RE4 is popular for modern audiences. For the full story, playing in numerical order (0, 1, 2, 3, Code: Veronica, 4, 5, 6, 7, Village) is recommended.

Are the live-action movies connected to the games?▼

The Paul W.S. Anderson movies (starring Milla Jovovich) are a separate universe loosely based on the games. The CGI animated movies (Degeneration, Damnation, Vendetta, Death Island) are canon to the game timeline.

Who is the most recurring character?▼

Chris Redfield has appeared in the most main entry games, followed closely by Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine.

What is the T-Virus?▼

The Tyrant Virus, developed by Umbrella Corporation. It causes necrosis, mutation, and aggression, effectively turning hosts into zombies.

Is Resident Evil 7 connected to the rest?▼

Yes, while it introduces a new protagonist (Ethan Winters) and first-person perspective, it takes place in the same universe and features connections to the broader lore, including Chris Redfield.