In the expansive library of Steamforged Games, you'll discover adaptations of some of the most iconic video game franchises, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the eagerly anticipated Elden Ring. But today, we're focusing on the chilling world of Resident Evil, with their trilogy of board games: Resident Evil 2 (2019), Resident Evil 3 (2021), and Resident Evil (2023). Each title follows a similar gameplay structure, allowing you and up to three friends to navigate through eerie corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs, reenacting the narratives of each game. These experiences are enhanced by meticulously crafted plastic miniatures, representing both the fearsome creatures you'll encounter and the valiant survivor heroes you'll control.
Featured in this article
### 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 your turn, you have four actions which can be used to move, open or close doors, search for items, trade with other players, use items, or attack enemies. Enemies respond during the Reaction Phase, moving towards or attacking the active player, who then rolls a die to evade danger. The Tension Phase involves drawing from the Tension deck, which can result in nothing happening, something bad occurring, or something really bad happening. By the end of the first full round, players should have a firm grasp of the game mechanics, allowing them to focus more on surviving the zombie apocalypse.
Combat in these games relies on dice rolls, with outcomes determined by comparing your roll against your weapon's stats and abilities. Depending on the result, you might push an enemy back, kill them, or miss entirely. The resilience of even the basic zombies can be surprising, and firing weapons may attract other enemies from nearby rooms if doors are left open. This mechanic adds strategic depth, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.
These are campaign-driven board games, featuring multiple scenarios that can be played as standalone experiences or linked together to form a narrative. Each scenario uses tiles with tokens for locked doors, items, and other elements. At the end of each scenario, players review their inventories and health, which can carry over to future games. For one-off games, each scenario provides starting gear and information.
For those who own multiple entries in the series, there's potential for crossover, though some adjustments may be needed. The shared mechanics allow for mixing characters and scenario tiles across games, enhancing replayability and customization.
Resident Evil: The Board Game
### Resident Evil: The Board Game
1See it at AmazonMSRP: $114.99 USDPlayers: 1-4 (best with 2)Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario)Ages: 14+See it at Amazon
The latest and most refined of the trilogy, Resident Evil, builds upon the best elements of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics for an engaging and suspenseful experience. Players take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the mysterious Spencer Mansion and its grounds. This game introduces support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can undertake special missions to aid the team at the risk of their own safety.
Resident Evil's narrative flow is flexible, allowing players to tackle rooms in various orders, with access granted by different items and puzzle-solving. The game uses special cards to represent the mansion and other locations, improving setup time over previous games. If you're looking to dive into just one game from the series, this is a top recommendation. Standard zombies are more threatening here, as their corpses 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
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $69.99See it at Amazon
The Bleak Outpost expansion adds six new scenarios and two new bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, taking players to new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. Ideal for fans of the base game, these scenarios can be played as a mini-campaign or standalone sessions.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $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
Resident Evil 2 introduces players to the zombie-infested Racoon City police station and other horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can choose to be Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. The campaign follows a linear path from the S.T.A.R.S Office to the Umbrella Laboratory.
While Resident Evil 2 may be the second chronologically, it's recommended to start here due to its lack of some refinements found in later games. The scenarios are straightforward, and some quality-of-life issues, like overly dark tiles and missing parts for dials, can detract from the experience. Nevertheless, the gameplay remains enjoyable and challenging, particularly in scenarios that require strategic planning.
Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion
### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $54.99USDSee it at Amazon
The B-files expansion doubles the number of scenarios for Resident Evil 2, adding new items, enemies, and the goal 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
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $32.99See it at Amazon
This expansion is designed to be played alongside the B-Files, introducing players to Birkin Stage Three before escaping.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion
### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $54.99See it at Amazon
The Survival Horror expansion adds five new playable characters and advanced versions of two characters from the base game, along with new enemies and a PVP gameplay mode.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
### Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $32.99See it at Amazon
This expansion introduces Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, adding new modes like fighting through hordes and a PVP race to prevent an outbreak. The Tofu miniature is a highlight of this expansion.
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
### Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $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 continues the story and gameplay development from Resident Evil 2, introducing a non-linear approach to exploring the ruins of Raccoon City. Players can choose Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to survive the city's dangers while evading Nemesis.
The game's narrative allows for varied exploration, with areas unlocked by key items. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the city's deterioration, making the game increasingly challenging. The Narrative deck adds variability to each playthrough, enhancing the survival horror experience. The only downside is the scenario map, which feels less durable compared to other components.
For those interested in a more open-ended campaign, Resident Evil 3 is an excellent entry point into the series.
Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion
### Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $44.99See it at Amazon
The Last Escape expansion introduces new playable characters and advanced versions of the base game's cast, along with new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It includes new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant, testing players' skills and strategies.
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion
### Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $69.99See it at Amazon
City of Ruin adds nine new scenarios, taking players through locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory. New enemies and bosses, along with new weapons and items, challenge players to face the Stage 3 Nemesis.
