"Resident Evil Board Game Series: Buying Guide"

In the vast library of Steamforged Games, you'll discover a treasure trove of adaptations from some of the most iconic video game franchises, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the highly anticipated Elden Ring adaptation set to release soon. However, our focus today is on Steamforged's thrilling series of Resident Evil board games, which includes Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3.

The Resident Evil board game series kicked off with Resident Evil 2 in 2019, followed by Resident Evil 3 in 2021, and culminating with the release of the original Resident Evil in 2023. Each game in this trilogy shares a core set of mechanics, allowing players and up to three friends to take turns navigating through eerie corridors, blazing streets, and sinister laboratories, reliving the stories of each game. The games come with meticulously crafted plastic miniatures that vividly represent the monstrous foes and valiant survivor heroes you'll encounter.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

MSRP: $114.99 USD
Players: 1-4 (best with 2)
Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario)
Ages: 14+
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The latest and most polished entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, takes the best elements from its predecessors and introduces new mechanics, resulting in a thrilling and tense experience. Players can embody iconic characters like Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the enigmatic Spencer Mansion and its surrounding areas. This game introduces support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can be dispatched on special missions to gather resources, though at the risk of becoming casualties themselves.

Resident Evil enhances the narrative flexibility, allowing players to explore the mansion in various sequences, with rooms unlocking through items and puzzle-solving. The game utilizes special cards to build the mansion and other locations, streamlining setup and enhancing the dynamic feel similar to Betrayal at the House on the Hill. A notable new feature is the use of Kerosene to burn zombie corpses, preventing their return as more dangerous Red Zombies.

If you're considering diving into just one game from the series, Resident Evil stands out as the most refined and engaging choice.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion

MSRP: $69.99
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The Bleak Outpost expansion adds six new scenarios and introduces two new bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, taking players to new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. This expansion is a perfect complement for fans of the base game, offering the flexibility to play as a mini-campaign or standalone sessions.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge website price)
Players: 1-4 (Best with 2)
Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario)
Ages: 14+
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Resident Evil 2 marked the beginning of Steamforged's foray into Resident Evil board games, immersing players in the zombie-infested corridors of the Raccoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can take on the roles of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios, journeying from the S.T.A.R.S. Office to the Umbrella Laboratory.

Although Resident Evil 2 introduced the series, it lacks some of the refinements and features found in later entries. Its campaign is linear, with scenarios following a set sequence, and there are minor quality-of-life issues, such as overly dark tiles and missing components for life and ammo dials. Despite these shortcomings, Resident Evil 2 remains a fun cooperative experience, demanding strategic planning to survive its challenging scenarios.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

MSRP: $54.99 USD
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The B-Files expansion adds eight new scenarios, new items, enemies, and the challenge of escaping from Mr. X, significantly enhancing the game's replayability and depth.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

MSRP: $32.99
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This small-box expansion, meant to be played alongside the B-Files expansion, challenges players against Birkin Stage Three before escaping.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

MSRP: $54.99
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The Survival Horror expansion introduces five new playable characters and advanced versions of characters from the base game, along with new enemies and a PVP gameplay mode, making it a must-have for fans seeking more variety.

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

MSRP: $32.99
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The 4th Survivor expansion adds beloved characters like Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes that challenge players to fight through hordes of enemies or race to stop an outbreak, with the Tofu miniature being a highlight.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

MSRP: $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 Resident Evil 2, both in narrative and mechanics. It shifts from a linear scenario structure to a more open-ended exploration of the devastated Raccoon City, where players can choose to play as Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to survive the Nemesis's relentless pursuit.

The game introduces a Danger Tracker mechanic, reflecting the city's increasing peril, and a Narrative deck that adds variability to each playthrough. The decision to backtrack for resources or press forward with what you have intensifies the survival horror atmosphere. While the game's components are generally high-quality, the scenario map's material feels less premium compared to other elements.

For those interested in a more flexible campaign structure and wanting to bypass Resident Evil 2, this game offers an excellent entry point into the series.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

MSRP: $44.99
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The Last Escape expansion brings new playable characters, advanced versions of the base game's cast, and introduces new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It also includes new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant, testing players' strategic thinking and survival skills.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

MSRP: $69.99
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City of Ruin offers nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and bosses, including Stage 3 Nemesis. New weapons and items aid players in their battles, providing essential tools to overcome the challenges ahead.

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 move, interact with doors, search for items, trade with others, use inventory items, or attack. In the Reaction Phase, enemies move towards or attack the active player, who must roll dice to evade danger. Finally, the Tension Phase involves drawing from the Tension deck, which can lead to nothing happening, something bad happening, or something really bad happening. By the end of the first round, players will have a solid grasp of the game mechanics and can focus on surviving the zombie apocalypse.

Combat in the Resident Evil board games is dice-based, with outcomes determined by comparing rolls to the equipped weapon's stats and abilities. Shooting can attract nearby enemies, adding strategic depth and enhancing the survival horror experience. As campaign games, each title includes multiple scenarios that can be played independently or as part of a larger narrative, with progress carrying over between sessions.

For enthusiasts who own multiple entries in the series, there's the possibility of mixing and matching characters and scenario tiles across games, though some adjustments may be needed to ensure compatibility. This flexibility allows for creative combinations, such as having Leon navigate the Spencer Mansion with Chris.

Steamforged Games continues to impress with its adaptations, and the Resident Evil series is no exception. Whether you're a fan of the video games or new to the franchise, these board games offer a thrilling tabletop experience that captures the essence of survival horror.