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, and the gritty combat of Gears of War, their catalog is impressive. And with the highly anticipated Elden Ring adaptation on the horizon, the excitement continues to build. But for now, let's delve into their captivating Resident Evil trilogy: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3.

Launched in 2019, 2021, and 2023 respectively, these three titles share a core gameplay experience. Up to four players collaborate, taking turns navigating treacherous environments—dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs—as they unravel the narratives of each game. Each game is richly detailed, featuring high-quality plastic miniatures representing both the terrifying creatures and the courageous survivor heroes.

Resident Evil: The Board Game
Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

Gameplay unfolds across three phases: Action, Reaction, and Tension. Players have four actions per turn, allowing them to move, manipulate doors, search for items, trade, use items, or attack. Enemies react during the Reaction phase, pursuing and attacking the active player, leading to dice rolls to determine success or failure. The Tension phase introduces unpredictable events drawn from a dedicated deck, adding an element of suspense and escalating the challenge.

Combat involves dice rolls, comparing results against weapon stats and abilities. Outcomes range from pushing enemies to outright kills, highlighting the unpredictable nature of encounters. Successful attacks can trigger enemy movement from adjacent rooms, adding strategic depth. This system compels players to carefully weigh their options, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.

Each game features multiple scenarios, playable as standalone experiences or linked together for a cohesive campaign. Modular tile-based maps, complete with tokens representing doors, items, and other elements, create dynamic and varied game boards. Players track inventory, health, and other crucial information between scenarios, allowing for a sense of progression and consequence. Standalone scenarios also provide pre-set starting equipment and information for one-off gameplay.

The series allows for some crossover between games, offering creative possibilities. Players can mix and match characters across titles, and scenario tiles can be shared, despite potential thematic inconsistencies. While not explicitly stated in the rules, this cross-compatibility adds a significant layer of replayability.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

MSRP: $114.99 USD Players: 1-4 (best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+

The latest installment refines the series' mechanics, introducing new elements. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and its surroundings, controlling characters like Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and others. New support characters, such as Albert Wesker, can be deployed on missions, offering benefits at the risk of their demise. The narrative structure is more flexible, allowing for varied exploration orders. The game board utilizes cards instead of paper, streamlining setup. Standard zombies are more persistent, leaving corpses that can reanimate as stronger Red Zombies unless burned with Kerosene.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

MSRP: $69.99 Introduces six new scenarios, two new bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), and new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

MSRP: $114.99 USD Players: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+

The original game in the Steamforged series, featuring Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and others battling Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. While fun, it lacks the refinements of later entries, presenting some minor component and design issues.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

MSRP: $54.99 USD Doubles the number of scenarios, adding new items, enemies, and the goal of escaping Mr. X.

MSRP: $32.99 A smaller expansion played alongside the B-Files expansion, introducing Birkin Stage Three.

MSRP: $54.99 USD Adds five playable characters, enhanced versions of existing characters, new enemies, and a PvP mode.

MSRP: $32.99 Adds Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, along with new modes featuring hordes of enemies and a PvP race.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

MSRP: $114.99 USD Players: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+

Building upon Resident Evil 2, this entry offers a more open-ended campaign, allowing for varied exploration paths. Players take on the roles of Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique abilities. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the escalating threat, influencing gameplay difficulty. The game's map uses cards, but the scenario board is a less durable material compared to other components.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

MSRP: $44.99 Adds new playable characters, including Barry Burton, advanced versions of existing characters, new enemies (Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, crows), new rules, and a permadeath variant.

MSRP: $69.99 Offers nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and the Stage 3 Nemesis.