Resident Evil: The Board Game Series Buying Guide

Steamforged Games boasts a remarkable collection of board game adaptations based on iconic video game franchises. From *Monster Hunter* and *Devil May Cry* to *Sea of Thieves* and *Gears of War*, their catalog is impressive, with the highly anticipated *Elden Ring* adaptation on the horizon. However, today we're focusing on their acclaimed *Resident Evil* trilogy: *Resident Evil*, *Resident Evil 2*, and *Resident Evil 3*.

Launching with *Resident Evil 2* in 2019, followed by *Resident Evil 3* in 2021, and culminating with *Resident Evil* in 2023, this trio shares a core set of mechanics. Up to four players collaborate, navigating perilous environments – dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs – to unravel the narrative of each game. Each title features meticulously detailed plastic miniatures representing both the terrifying creatures and the heroic survivors.

Featured in this article

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### Resident Evil: The Board Game

1See it at Amazon

### Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

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

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### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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

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### Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

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### Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

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### Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

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Gameplay unfolds across three phases per turn: Action, Reaction, and Tension. Players have four actions to move, interact with doors, search for items, trade, use items, or attack. Enemies react, moving and attacking, requiring dice rolls to evade danger. The Tension phase involves drawing cards that introduce unpredictable events, ranging from benign to catastrophic. By the end of the first round, players grasp the core mechanics and can focus on survival strategies.

Combat utilizes dice rolls, comparing results against weapon stats and abilities. Outcomes range from pushing enemies to killing them or missing entirely, highlighting the challenge even basic zombies pose. Successful attacks can trigger enemy movement from adjacent rooms, adding a tactical layer to combat decisions, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.

As campaign board games, each title offers multiple scenarios playable as standalone experiences or linked together to create a cohesive narrative mirroring the video games. Levels are built using tiles with tokens representing doors, items, and other elements. After each scenario, players track inventory, health, and other data impacting future sessions. Standalone scenarios also provide starting equipment and information.

The series allows for crossover between games. While not explicitly stated in the rules, players can mix and match characters and scenario tiles from different games, though thematic consistency might be compromised. This creative freedom adds replayability.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

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### Resident Evil: The Board Game

1See it at Amazon

**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 refined entry, *Resident Evil*, builds upon its predecessors, introducing compelling new mechanics. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and surrounding areas as iconic characters like Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield. New support characters, including Albert Wesker, can be deployed on missions, offering benefits at the risk of elimination.

Borrowing from *Resident Evil 3*, the narrative is flexible, allowing players to explore rooms in various orders, unlocking areas by solving puzzles and collecting items. The game utilizes cards to represent the mansion and locations, a significant improvement over the previous game's paper map, creating a dynamic playing field similar to *Betrayal at House on the Hill*. This results in quicker setup times.

Standard zombies pose a greater threat; upon death, their corpses remain on the board, potentially reanimating as more dangerous Red Zombies unless burned using a new resource, Kerosene. *Resident Evil* refines gameplay in numerous ways, making it a strong standalone recommendation.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

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### Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

0See it at Amazon

**MSRP**: $69.99

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This expansion introduces six new scenarios and two bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), adding locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. It's a perfect complement to the base game, offering both standalone and campaign play.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

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### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

**MSRP**: $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

The series' inaugural title, *Resident Evil 2*, immerses players in the Raccoon City Police Station, facing Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. Players assume the roles of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo.

While chronologically second (or third, excluding *Zero*), it's recommended to start with *Resident Evil* instead. *Resident Evil 2* lacks the refinements and features of its successors. Minor issues include dark tiles and missing components in some copies, though these are minor drawbacks.

Despite these minor flaws, *Resident Evil 2* remains a fun and strategic experience, demanding careful planning to overcome challenges.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

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### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

0See it at Amazon

**MSRP**: $54.99USD

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Doubles the number of scenarios, adding new items, enemies, and the challenge of escaping Mr. X.

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

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**MSRP**: $32.99

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A companion expansion to *B-Files*, introducing a confrontation with Birkin Stage Three.

### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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**MSRP**: $54.99

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Highly recommended, adding five characters, advanced versions of existing characters, new enemies, and a PvP mode.

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

0See it at Amazon

**MSRP**: $32.99

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Adds playable characters Hunk and Tofu, new modes, and the Extreme Battle PvP mode.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

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### Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

**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 *Resident Evil 2*, offering a more open-ended campaign. Players choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills. The game's difficulty increases as Raccoon City deteriorates, influenced by player actions.

The Danger Tracker reflects the escalating threat, while the Narrative deck adds replayability. The game's map, however, uses less robust card stock compared to other components.

If you prefer a more open-ended experience, *Resident Evil 3* is a strong starting point for the series.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

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### Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

0See it at Amazon

**MSRP**: $44.99

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Adds new characters, advanced versions of existing characters, new enemies (Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, crows), and a permadeath variant.

### Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

0See it at Amazon

MSRP: $69.99

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Includes nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and a Stage 3 Nemesis.