Steamforged Games has brought several beloved video game franchises to the tabletop, including *Monster Hunter*, *Devil May Cry*, *Sea of Thieves*, *Gears of War*, and the upcoming colossal *Elden Ring* adaptation. But for now, let's delve into their acclaimed *Resident Evil* board game 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 finally *Resident Evil* in 2023, this trio shares core mechanics. Up to four players cooperate, navigating perilous environments – dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs – to survive the iconic storylines. Each game boasts beautifully detailed miniatures representing both horrifying creatures and courageous survivors.
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
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, pursuing and attacking the active player, who rolls dice to evade danger. The Tension Phase involves drawing cards that introduce unpredictable events – from minor inconveniences to catastrophic setbacks. After the first round, players grasp the core mechanics and can focus on survival strategies.
Combat involves dice rolls compared to weapon stats and abilities. Outcomes range from pushing enemies to kills or misses, highlighting the challenge even basic zombies pose. Successful attacks can trigger enemy movement in adjacent rooms (if doors are open), adding a layer of strategic depth to combat decisions, reinforcing the survival horror theme.
As campaign board games, each title features multiple scenarios playable individually or as a connected narrative. Modular tile-based maps depict rooms, locked doors, items, and other elements. Players track inventory, health, and other relevant data between scenarios, offering replayability and continuity. Standalone scenarios provide pre-set starting gear and information for one-off sessions.
The series allows for crossover between games. Players can mix and match characters and scenario tiles across titles (though thematic consistency may be slightly affected). This flexibility adds to the game's replayability.
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 most refined entry, *Resident Evil*, refines previous mechanics and introduces new elements. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and surrounding areas as Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton. Support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers offer strategic options through special missions, adding risk-reward dynamics.
Borrowing from *Resident Evil 3*, the narrative is flexible, allowing for varied exploration order. The map utilizes cards instead of paper, streamlining setup. Smaller areas expand as the game progresses, similar to *Betrayal at House on the Hill*. Standard zombies are more persistent, leaving corpses that can reanimate into stronger Red Zombies unless burned with Kerosene.
*Resident Evil* streamlines and enhances gameplay. If only purchasing one game from the series, this is the strongest recommendation.
Resident Evil Board Game Expansions
---------------------------------------
### Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost
0See it at Amazon
**MSRP**: $69.99
See it at Amazon
This expansion adds six scenarios, two bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), and new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. A great addition for fans of the base game, offering both campaign and standalone play.
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
The original entry in Steamforged's *Resident Evil* series, *Resident Evil 2* introduces players to the Raccoon City Police Station. Players take on the roles of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios.
While chronologically second (or third, excluding *Zero*), it's recommended to play *Resident Evil* first due to refinements in later titles. *Resident Evil 2* lacks the polish of its successors, with darker tiles and minor component issues. However, the core gameplay remains engaging and strategically challenging.
Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions
-----------------------------------------
### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion
0See it at Amazon
**MSRP**: $54.99USD
See it at Amazon
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
0See it at Amazon
**MSRP**: $32.99
See it at Amazon
A small expansion for use with the B-Files expansion, adding a confrontation with Birkin Stage Three.
### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion
0See it at Amazon
**MSRP**: $54.99
See it at Amazon
Adds five playable characters, enhanced 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
See it at Amazon
Introduces Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, along with new modes focusing on escaping the police station and a PvP race against the outbreak.
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 *Resident Evil 2*, offering a more open-ended campaign. Players choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique abilities, to navigate the ravaged Raccoon City while pursued by Nemesis.
The non-linear narrative allows for varied exploration, but some areas remain inaccessible until specific items are found. A Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the escalating threat, impacting gameplay difficulty. The Narrative deck adds replayability.
While the game components are generally high-quality, the scenario map on a thinner paper stock stands out as a less premium element.
If you prefer a more open campaign structure and wish to skip *Resident Evil 2*, this is a solid starting point for the series.
Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions
-----------------------------------------
### Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion
0See it at Amazon
**MSRP**: $44.99
See it at Amazon
Adds new playable characters (Barry Burton, Brad Vickers, Tyrell Patrick, Marvin Branagh, Dario Rosso, and Murphy Seeker), enhanced versions of base game 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
See it at Amazon
Introduces nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, featuring new enemies and a Stage 3 Nemesis.
