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 the thrilling hunts of *Monster Hunter* to the stylish action of *Devil May Cry*, the high-seas adventures of *Sea of Thieves* to the gritty combat of *Gears of War*, and the highly anticipated arrival of their massive *Elden Ring* adaptation, their catalog is impressive. But today, we're diving into their acclaimed *Resident Evil* trilogy: *Resident Evil*, *Resident Evil 2*, and *Resident Evil 3*.

Beginning 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 gameplay loop. Up to four players cooperatively navigate terrifying environments – dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister laboratories – reliving the stories of each game. Each title features exquisitely detailed plastic miniatures, bringing the gruesome creatures and iconic survivors to life on your tabletop.

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

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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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Gameplay unfolds across three phases: Action, Reaction, and Tension. Players have four actions per turn, allowing them to move, interact with doors, search for items, trade, use items, or attack. Enemies react during the Reaction Phase, moving and attacking, prompting dice rolls to determine success or failure. The Tension Phase introduces unpredictable events via a dedicated card deck, ranging from benign to disastrous outcomes. After the first round, players quickly grasp the mechanics and focus shifts to survival and strategic planning within this zombie apocalypse.

Combat utilizes dice rolls, comparing results against weapon stats and abilities. Outcomes vary from pushing enemies to outright kills, with even basic zombies proving surprisingly resilient. Shooting also triggers enemy movement in adjacent rooms (if doors are open), adding a layer of tactical depth and reinforcing the survival horror theme.

As campaign-driven games, each *Resident Evil* board game offers multiple scenarios playable individually or sequentially, creating a narrative arc that mirrors the video games. Modular tile placement builds levels, featuring tokens representing locked doors, items, and other elements. Between scenarios, players track inventory, health, and other carry-over information. One-off games also provide pre-set starting gear and information, ensuring replayability and flexibility.

The series' shared mechanics allow for cross-game integration. Players can mix and match characters across titles (e.g., Leon in the Spencer Mansion with Chris). Scenario tiles are also interchangeable, though thematic consistency may be affected. While not explicitly stated in the rules, this cross-game play is easily achievable.

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 most refined entry, *Resident Evil*, builds upon its predecessors' strengths while introducing innovative mechanics. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and its surroundings as Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton. Unique to this version are support characters (Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers), who can undertake missions for supplies and benefits, but risk being eliminated.

Borrowing from *Resident Evil 3*, the narrative is flexible, allowing players to tackle rooms in various orders based on item acquisition and puzzle-solving. The game utilizes location cards instead of the paper map in *RE3*, creating a dynamic, expanding game board similar to *Betrayal at House on the Hill*, streamlining setup. Standard zombies pose a greater threat; upon death, their corpses remain, requiring kerosene to burn and prevent reanimation as more dangerous Red Zombies. Numerous refinements elevate the gameplay experience. If choosing only one game from the trilogy, this is the strongest recommendation.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

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### Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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**MSRP**: $69.99
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This expansion adds six scenarios and two new bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), introducing locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. A perfect complement to the base game, these scenarios are playable individually or as a mini-campaign.

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+
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The inaugural title in Steamforged's *Resident Evil* series, *Resident Evil 2* immerses players in the Raccoon City Police Station, facing Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. The campaign is linear, progressing sequentially from the S.T.A.R.S. Office to the Umbrella Laboratory escape. While chronologically second (or third, excluding *Zero*), it's recommended to play *Resident Evil* first due to refinements in later titles. Minor issues include dark tiles and missing components in some versions, but these are easily overcome.

Despite these minor flaws, *Resident Evil 2* remains enjoyable, demanding strategic planning to avoid overwhelming odds.

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 goal 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 small expansion played alongside the B-Files expansion, 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, this expansion adds five playable characters, enhanced versions of existing characters, new enemies, and a PvP mode.

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

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**MSRP**: $32.99
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Adds Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, introducing new modes focused on escaping the police department and a PvP race against the outbreak.

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+
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*Resident Evil 3* expands on *RE2*'s mechanics while offering a more open-ended campaign structure. Players choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills. The city's deterioration increases the difficulty, influenced by player actions and objective success or failure. A Danger Tracker reflects the escalating threat, making the game more challenging. The Narrative deck adds replayability.

The game's only drawback is the paper map, which, while functional, feels less substantial than other components. If you prefer a more open-ended campaign, this is a great starting point for the series.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

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### Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

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**MSRP**: $44.99
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Introduces new playable characters (Barry Burton, Brad Vickers, Tyrell Patrick, Marvin Branagh, Dario Rosso, and Murphy Seeker), advanced versions of base characters, and new enemies (Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, crows), plus new rules and a permadeath variant.

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

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**MSRP**: $69.99
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Features nine new scenarios set in locations such as the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, with new enemies, bosses, and helpful items, culminating in a showdown with Stage 3 Nemesis.