In the Steamforged Games library, you'll discover a variety of adaptations of popular video game franchises, from Monster Hunter to Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves to Gears of War, and their upcoming colossal Elden Ring adaptation. However, today we'll focus on their Resident Evil series, specifically Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3.

Starting with Resident Evil 2 in 2019, followed by Resident Evil 3 in 2021, and culminating with Resident Evil in 2023, each game in the trilogy shares similar mechanics, offering a consistent gameplay experience. In these titles, you and up to three friends take turns exploring eerie corridors, blazing streets, and sinister labs, reenacting the narratives of the iconic games. Each game features a rich array of meticulously crafted plastic miniatures, showcasing both the monstrous foes you'll face and the survivor heroes you'll control.

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

Each player's turn is divided into three phases – the Action Phase, the Reaction Phase, and the Tension Phase. During your turn, you have four actions at your disposal, which can be used to move, open or close doors, search areas for items, trade with other players in the same space, use items from your inventory, or attack. Enemies react during the Reaction Phase, moving toward or attacking the active player, prompting a dice roll to determine if the player can evade the threat. The Tension Phase involves drawing from a special Tension deck, which can result in nothing happening, something bad occurring, or something truly catastrophic taking place. By the end of the first complete round, players should have a firm grasp on the game mechanics and can shift their focus to strategizing their survival in this zombie-infested world.

Combat is resolved by rolling dice and comparing the results with the stats and abilities of your equipped weapons. Depending on the outcome, you might push an enemy back, kill it, or miss entirely. Even the simplest zombies can prove challenging if your luck with the dice isn't in your favor. Firing a weapon also alerts enemies in nearby rooms (if the doors are open), prompting them to move toward the sound, adding a strategic layer to combat decisions and enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.

As campaign board games, each title includes multiple scenarios that can be played as standalone sessions or woven together to tell the story of the original games, with progress carrying over from one session to the next. Scenarios are constructed using tiles with tokens indicating locked doors, items to collect, and other surprises to uncover. At the end of each scenario, players review their inventories, health, and other information that may impact future games. For one-off sessions, each scenario provides players with a starting set of gear and information, ensuring a satisfying experience either way.

For players who own multiple entries in the series, there's the possibility of crossover content, although some adjustments might be necessary. Due to the shared mechanics, you can mix and match characters from different games, like having Leon explore the Spencer Mansion alongside Chris. Scenario tiles can also be interchanged between games, provided you're comfortable with thematic inconsistencies. While not explicitly mentioned in the rules, this can be done without significant issues.

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 newest and most refined entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, enhances the best elements of its predecessors while introducing innovative mechanics, resulting in an engaging and intense experience. In this game, players embody iconic characters such as Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they navigate the mysterious Spencer mansion and its surroundings. A new feature allows players to utilize support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can be dispatched on missions to gather supplies and provide benefits, albeit at the risk of their own peril.

Resident Evil adopts a flexible narrative structure from Resident Evil 3, enabling players to explore the mansion's rooms in various orders, with different items and puzzles unlocking new areas. The mansion and its locations are now represented by special cards, a significant improvement over the paper dashboards of RE3, facilitating quicker scenario setups akin to games like Betrayal at the House on the Hill.

If you're considering just one game from the series, Resident Evil stands out as the prime choice. Standard zombies pose a greater threat this time, as their bodies remain on the board after being killed until players use Kerosene to burn them, preventing their return as more formidable Red Zombies.

Resident Evil refines and evolves its gameplay in numerous ways, offering a compelling experience. If you're not planning to collect the entire set, this game is highly recommended as the best standalone option.

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, sending players to fresh locales like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. For fans of the base Resident Evil game, this expansion is a fantastic addition, offering the choice to play these scenarios as a mini-campaign or as 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

The game that launched Steamforge's Resident Evil board game series, Resident Evil 2 introduces players to the zombie-ridden corridors of the Raccoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players take on the roles of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios, from the S.T.A.R.S Office to their escape from the Umbrella Laboratory.

Although Resident Evil 2 is the second game in the series (third if you count Zero, which hasn't been adapted yet), it's advisable to start here rather than with the first game. It lacks some of the refinements and features introduced in later titles. The campaign follows a linear structure, with scenarios progressing directly without the option to explore them in different orders. Additionally, some quality-of-life issues, such as overly dark scenario tiles and missing parts for life and ammo dials, detract slightly from the experience, though workarounds exist.

Despite these issues, Resident Evil 2 remains a fun game to play with friends, with scenarios that demand strategic planning to avoid being overwhelmed.

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

For those craving more Resident Evil 2 content, the B-Files expansion doubles the number of scenarios, introduces new items, enemies, and the challenge 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 small-box expansion complements the B-Files expansion, allowing players to confront Birkin Stage Three before making their escape.

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 is highly recommended, adding five new playable characters and advanced versions of two from the base game, along with new enemies and a PVP mode for a competitive twist.

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 beloved characters from the video games, such as Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes including battling through hordes of enemies to escape the police department and an Extreme Battle PVP race to prevent an outbreak. The Tofu miniature alone is a compelling reason to acquire 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 builds on the foundation laid by RE2, both in story and mechanics. It abandons the linear scenario structure for a more open-ended approach to exploring the ravaged streets of Raccoon City. Players can choose to play as Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to navigate the perilous environment while evading the relentless Nemesis.

Unlike its predecessor, Resident Evil 3 allows players to choose their exploration path, though some areas remain inaccessible until specific key items are found. The game's intensity escalates as the city deteriorates, influenced by player actions and mission outcomes. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the worsening situation, while the Narrative deck adds variety to each playthrough. The survival horror experience is heightened by the need to decide whether to backtrack for more resources or press forward with what you have.

The only notable downside is the Raccoon City map, which feels somewhat flimsy compared to the rest of the components, resembling glossy printer paper.

For those interested in a more flexible campaign structure and willing to skip Resident Evil 2, this game serves as 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

This expansion adds new playable characters, including advanced versions of the base game's cast, and introduces new monsters such as Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. New rules, cards, and a permadeath variant challenge players to outwit these threats.

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 offers nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and bosses. With new weapons and items to aid you, you'll need everything at your disposal to confront the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis.