Resident Evil: The Board Game Series Buying Guide

In the expansive library of Steamforged Games, you'll find adaptations of some of the video game industry's most iconic franchises, ranging from Monster Hunter to Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves to Gears of War, and the eagerly anticipated Elden Ring adaptation set to release soon. However, today we delve into their thrilling Resident Evil series, encompassing Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3.

The Resident Evil series kicked off with Resident Evil 2 in 2019, followed by Resident Evil 3 in 2021, and culminating with Resident Evil in 2023. Each game shares a common set of mechanics, allowing you and up to three friends to navigate through dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs, reenacting the stories of these classic titles. The games are enhanced with intricately designed plastic miniatures that bring to life both the monstrous creatures you'll face and the resilient 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 structured into three phases: the Action Phase, the Reaction Phase, and the Tension Phase. During the Action Phase, you can perform four actions such as moving, opening or closing doors, searching for items, trading with other players, using items from your inventory, or attacking. Enemies respond in the Reaction Phase, moving towards or attacking you, prompting a dice roll to evade them. The Tension Phase involves drawing from the Tension deck, which could result in nothing, something bad, or something really bad happening. After the first round, players will have a solid understanding of the game mechanics and can focus on strategies to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Combat involves rolling dice and comparing the results against your weapon's stats and abilities. Outcomes can range from pushing enemies back, killing them, or missing. Notably, even basic zombies can be challenging to defeat, especially with poor dice rolls. Firing a weapon can also alert enemies in adjacent rooms, adding a layer of strategic decision-making that enhances the survival horror experience.

As campaign board games, each title features multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a continuous narrative, with elements carrying over between sessions. Levels are constructed using tiles, with tokens marking locked doors, items, and other interactables. At the end of each scenario, players review their inventories and health, which can affect future games. These games can be enjoyed as standalone sessions or as part of a larger campaign, with each scenario providing starting gear and information.

For fans who own multiple entries in the series, there's room for crossover. While the rules don't explicitly support it, players can experiment by mixing characters and scenario tiles between games, adding a creative twist to their gameplay.

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 refined of the trilogy, Resident Evil, builds on the successes of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics, resulting in a tense and enjoyable experience. Players take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton, exploring the mysterious Spencer Mansion and its surroundings. New support characters such as Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers can be dispatched on missions to gather resources, adding a layer of strategy at the risk of their own safety.

Resident Evil offers a flexible narrative flow, allowing players to explore the mansion in various orders, unlocking rooms with items and solving puzzles. The game uses special cards to construct the mansion and other locations, streamlining setup compared to previous entries. If you're considering just one game from the series, Resident Evil stands out as the top choice. Zombies are more threatening now, as their corpses linger on the board until burned with Kerosene, potentially returning as more dangerous Red Zombies.

This game refines and evolves gameplay from its predecessors, offering a comprehensive experience for both new players and series veterans.

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 six new scenarios and two new bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, taking players to new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. This expansion is perfect for fans of the base game, offering both standalone and mini-campaign play.

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 introduced players to the zombie-filled corridors of the Racoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can choose from Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo as they face Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios, navigating from the S.T.A.R.S Office to their escape from the Umbrella Laboratory.

While Resident Evil 2 is the second game in the series, it may be better to start here due to its simpler mechanics and linear campaign structure. Some quality-of-life issues, like dark scenario tiles and missing parts for life and ammo dials, can detract slightly from the experience, but the game remains enjoyable and challenging.

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, 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 be played with the B-Files expansion, Malformations challenges players to confront Birkin Stage Three before escaping.

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, advanced versions of base game characters, new enemies, and a new PVP gameplay mode, providing a fresh twist on the classic cooperative 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

This expansion introduces fan-favorite characters Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes that challenge players to fight through hordes of enemies and a PVP race to prevent an outbreak. The Tofu miniature alone is a compelling reason to add this expansion to your collection.

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 picks up where RE2 left off, both in storyline and game mechanics, introducing more open-ended exploration of the burned-out ruins of Raccoon City. Players can choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to navigate the city while evading the relentless Nemesis.

Unlike its predecessor, Resident Evil 3 offers players options in how they explore the city, although some areas remain locked until specific items are found. The game's increasing danger level, influenced by player actions, is reflected in the new Danger Tracker mechanic, while the Narrative deck adds variability to each playthrough. Choosing whether to backtrack for resources or push forward with what you have enhances the survival horror atmosphere.

The only notable flaw in Resident Evil 3 is the scenario map's material quality, which feels less durable than other components. If you prefer a more open-ended campaign and want to skip Resident Evil 2, this game 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 playable characters and advanced versions of the base game's cast, along with new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. New rules, cards, and a permadeath variant challenge players' survival skills.

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, City Park, and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and bosses, including the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis. New weapons and items are crucial for overcoming these challenges.