"Resident Evil Board Game Series: Ultimate Buying Guide"

Steamforged Games is renowned for transforming iconic video game franchises into engaging tabletop experiences, with notable titles like Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the upcoming Elden Ring adaptation. Among their portfolio, the Resident Evil series stands out, featuring adaptations of the first three games released in 2019, 2021, and 2023 respectively. Each game in this trilogy offers a similar gameplay experience, allowing you and up to three friends to navigate through eerie environments, from dark corridors to burning streets and sinister labs, as you reenact the narratives of Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3. These games come with a rich assortment of highly detailed plastic miniatures that bring to life both the monstrous adversaries and the resilient heroes you'll control.

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Resident Evil: The Board Game

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Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

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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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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 execute, such as moving, opening or closing doors, searching for items, trading with others, using items, or attacking enemies. The Reaction Phase sees enemies moving toward or attacking the active player, prompting a die roll to evade danger. The Tension Phase adds an element of unpredictability, as players draw from a Tension deck, which can result in nothing happening, something bad occurring, or something really bad transpiring. By the end of the first full round, players should have a solid understanding of the gameplay mechanics, allowing them to focus on survival strategies within this thrilling zombie apocalypse.

Combat in these games is resolved through dice rolls, where the outcome depends on the player's equipped weapons and abilities. A successful roll can push an enemy, kill it, or result in a miss. The challenge of taking down even basic zombies adds to the survival horror atmosphere, as does the rule that gunfire can attract nearby enemies. This system encourages players to carefully consider their combat choices, enhancing the game's tension.

As campaign board games, each title in the Resident Evil series includes multiple scenarios that can be played as standalone adventures or linked together to form a continuous narrative, with elements like inventory and health carrying over. Scenarios are built using tiles with various tokens, and at the end of each session, players assess their progress and resources. This format works well whether you're playing through the campaign or enjoying individual scenarios.

For those who own multiple entries in the series, there's potential for crossover, although some adjustments may be necessary. Shared mechanics allow for mixing characters and scenario tiles between games, enabling creative combinations like having Leon navigate the Spencer Mansion with Chris.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

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+ See it at Amazon

The latest and most refined game in the trilogy, Resident Evil, builds on the best elements of its predecessors and introduces new mechanics, resulting in a tense and enjoyable experience. Players can take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the Spencer Mansion and surrounding areas. This entry introduces support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can undertake special missions at the risk of being eliminated.

Resident Evil offers a flexible narrative flow, allowing players to explore the mansion in various orders, with rooms unlocked by items and puzzles. The game uses special cards for building locations, improving on the paper dashboards of earlier games and resembling setup mechanics found in games like Betrayal at the House on the Hill. If you're considering purchasing just one game from the series, this one stands out as the most refined and engaging option. Standard zombies pose a greater threat here, as their bodies remain on the board until burned with Kerosene, potentially returning as more dangerous Red Zombies.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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The Bleak Outpost expansion adds six new scenarios and two new bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, introducing 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 options.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

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

As the inaugural title in Steamforged's Resident Evil series, Resident Evil 2 introduces players to the zombie-filled corridors of the Raccoon City police station and beyond. Players can embody Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. The game's campaign follows a linear path, with each scenario leading directly into the next, which can feel limiting compared to the flexibility offered in subsequent titles.

While Resident Evil 2 lacks some of the refinements found in later games, it still offers enjoyable gameplay, particularly in scenarios that require strategic planning to avoid being overwhelmed. However, issues such as overly dark tiles and missing components for dials can detract slightly from the experience.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

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The B-Files expansion for Resident Evil 2 doubles the number of scenarios and introduces 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

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This small-box expansion is designed to be used with the B-Files expansion, challenging players to confront Birkin Stage Three before making their escape.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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The Survival Horror expansion is highly recommended, introducing five new playable characters and enhanced versions of two characters from the base game. It also adds new enemies and a PvP mode, offering a fresh gameplay experience.

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

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

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This expansion adds beloved characters like Hunk and Tofu to the roster, along with new gameplay modes such as fighting through hordes of enemies to escape the police department and the PvP Extreme Battle mode. The Tofu miniature alone is a compelling reason to pick up this expansion.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

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 its predecessor's mechanics while introducing a non-linear scenario approach, allowing players to explore Raccoon City in various ways. Players can choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to aid survival amidst the ruins of the city, all while being pursued by Nemesis.

The game's new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the city's deteriorating state, with player actions influencing the speed of decay. A Narrative deck adds variety and unpredictability to each playthrough, enhancing the survival horror experience. The only minor flaw is the somewhat flimsy scenario map dashboard, which feels less robust than other components. If you prefer a more open-ended campaign, Resident Evil 3 is an excellent starting point for the series.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

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The Last Escape expansion introduces new playable characters, including advanced versions of the base game's cast, and new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It also includes new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant, challenging players to test their survival skills.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

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The City of Ruin expansion offers nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, with new enemies and bosses to overcome. New weapons and items are crucial for facing the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis, ensuring players have all the tools they need to succeed.