Resident Evil

[Xeogred]

Just remember to burn some zombies when you can in the REmake. Remember that, or be warned.

I'd say REmake and RE4 are a good place to start. After that, hit up 2-3 but I wouldn't recommend the GC ports as stated already, they're insanely pricey and not really worth those prices (they didn't get a complete facelift like the first game did). After that, if you like the games, check out Zero and Code Veronica. I'm not sure why Zero gets a lot of slack, if anything the partner setup completely destroys RE5's way of doing it... but hey, RE5 just sucked. That's for another discussion.

Code Veronica wasn't my favorite, but had some of the toughest puzzles in the entire series I'd say for sure. One of the longer ones too.

I'm going to be honest and say I marathonned the games a few years ago completely backwards, intentionally (since they're just loosely connected and star different characters anyways), I honestly thought it made for a cool experience. Haha, recommended to those who play these a lot if you want a new experience or something I guess!

I honestly don't think I could pick a favorite, they each have their own merits and RE1-RE4 are just pure gold in my book.

[rainnyx4]

RE4 on the Wii is one of my favorite games of all time. Being able to accurately shoot zombies in the face is so satisfying. I really hated RE1 back in the days of PS1 but RE2 was one of my favorites of that generation. I also beat RE3 on PS1 many years ago and got about half way through RE:CV before I had to give it back to my brother but I remember it being very good. I don't get all of the hate for RE5 though. I played through that with my girlfriend and had a great time. If you have a Move setup, I'd pick that up in an instant.

In my opinion, RE4>RE2>RE:CV>RE5>RE3>RE1

I also have Umbrella Chronicles, it's a good game but the game-play is so far removed from the main games that I can't really throw it in the rankings.

[8bit]

In my opinion, RE4>RE2>RE:CV>RE5>RE3>RE1

I think I agree with this list.

Although I do recommend playing RE2 on original Playstation. Something about the grainy textures and loading times just takes me back to the good ole day when my friends parents brought it home and we watched them play it. It was a so awesome seeing the cut scene for the first encounter with the Licker for the first time.

[SuperAnthony64]

REmake> RE4> RE2>RE0> RE3> RE1 > RE5> RE CV.

I'd start with REmake because of the 180 degree turn. Or start with the Resident Evil DS one. Thats the old RE but with 180 degree turn. Then go after the old ones once you get the feel of the games.

[brunoafh]

I also have Umbrella Chronicles, it's a good game but the game-play is so far removed from the main games that I can't really throw it in the rankings.

Same could be said of RE4.

[bryan_65]

So much to say.....just play them!!!

[SwooshBear]

I've only played re0 re1, re2, re4, and re5. I feel like re1/re2 are different games compared to re4/re5. Re1 and 2 are amazing, as well as zero. Re4 is probably my favorite, but Ive had more experience with 1 and 2. Re5 sucks.

[Michi]

If you weren't fond of the original RE, I'd start with the remake on the Gamecube. It's similar to the original, yes, but I found it much more enjoyable than the original. Granted, it'd been a long time since I'd played the original, so I'm not sure if it was the game or that I just got older and could appreciate it more. Either way, it's a nice place to start.

If you find you don't like that than just skip ahead to RE4. Sure the RE purists complain about the lack of actual zombies and the change in perspective, but I think the over-the-shoulder perspective was a nice update that mainstreamed the title for more people by cutting out the tank control frustration that turned a lot of people off. That and shooting the enemies in the head in the Wii edition is very satisfying.

[Opa Opa]

[...]but I think the over-the-shoulder perspective was a nice update that mainstreamed the title for more people by cutting out the tank control frustration that turned a lot of people off.

Just to clarify, I think a lot of times it is forgotten that RE 4 still uses tank controls. The removal of fixed camera angles and combat changes really did bring a boost to the series though. However, I'm still undecided whether or not RE 4 should even be considered canon to the first three games. It kinda ditched the whole fighting an evil corporation plot line and makes you... rescue the president's daughter??? What does the president have to do with shambling corpses and why do they only send in one guy to rescue her? And whether or not they really are zombies anymore is just personal opinion.

(kinda half-way ranting here... )

[Michi]

Oh, rant away. I totally get it. I had to practically force my friend to play RE4 once he found out, "What!? They're not really zombies! To hell with that!" Boy was he pissed. He only begrudgingly agreed afterwards that it was a good game, but he still won't let the zombie part go. Just imagine what I had to put up with when he pre-ordered the 5th one with all the extras and actually got to play it.

And yeah, the controls are still tank, but with the removal of fixed angles, its much less bothersome to most people.

However, I'm still undecided whether or not RE 4 should even be considered canon to the first three games. It kinda ditched the whole fighting an evil corporation plot line and makes you... rescue the president's daughter??? What does the president have to do with shambling corpses and why do they only send in one guy to rescue her? And whether or not they really are zombies anymore is just personal opinion.

(kinda half-way ranting here... )

Another point of contention with my friend......It was a really loooong rant. But I totally agree with your point. "Hrmmm. The President's daughter has been kidnapped by staggering, mumbling, village people. Let's send in....One Man!" Shouldn't something closer to a SWAT team be sent in? I think it would've made more sense if Leon had just gone in to investigate Umbrella and found some poor village girl/sacrifice and tried to save her. Would have made more sense.