In the expansive library of Steamforged Games, you'll find a treasure trove of board game adaptations from some of the video game industry's most iconic franchises. From the thrilling worlds of Monster Hunter and Devil May Cry to the adventurous seas of Sea of Thieves and the intense battlegrounds of Gears of War, their collection is impressive. And let's not forget their upcoming colossal Elden Ring adaptation. However, today our focus is on their chilling 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, these games share a core set of mechanics that offer a consistent yet evolving experience. In each title, you and up to three friends take turns exploring eerie corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs, immersing yourselves in the narratives of these iconic games. The games come with intricately detailed plastic miniatures, bringing to life the terrifying creatures and heroic survivors you'll encounter.
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
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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 unfolds through three phases: the Action Phase, the Reaction Phase, and the Tension Phase. During your turn, you have four actions at your disposal, allowing you to move, open or close doors, search for items, trade with other players, use items from your inventory, or attack enemies. In the Reaction Phase, enemies move and attack, prompting you to roll a die to evade their attacks. The Tension Phase adds an element of unpredictability as you draw from the Tension deck, which can lead to nothing happening, something bad occurring, or something really bad unfolding. After a complete round, players should have a firm grasp of the gameplay mechanics and can focus on strategizing their survival in this zombie apocalypse.
Combat is resolved through dice rolls, which are compared against your equipped weapons' stats and abilities. Depending on your roll, you might push an enemy away, kill it, or miss entirely. Even basic zombies can be challenging to defeat if luck isn't on your side. Additionally, gunfire can attract other enemies in adjacent rooms, adding a strategic layer to combat that enhances the survival horror atmosphere.
As campaign board games, each title includes multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a continuous story. These scenarios use tiles to construct levels, with tokens indicating locked doors, items, and other elements. At the end of each scenario, players review their inventories, health, and other relevant data that may affect future games. Whether playing through the campaign or enjoying one-off sessions, the games are well-equipped to cater to different play styles.
For enthusiasts who own multiple entries in the series, there's flexibility in mixing and matching characters and scenario tiles across different games. While not officially supported by the rules, creative players can easily integrate elements from one game into another, enhancing the replayability and customization of their gaming experience.
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 entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, builds on the strengths of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics for a thrilling and tense experience. Players take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore the eerie Spencer mansion and its surroundings. A novel addition is the inclusion of support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can be dispatched on missions to gather resources at the risk of their own safety.
This game enhances narrative flexibility, allowing players to navigate the mansion's rooms in various orders, unlocked by items and puzzles. The use of special cards to construct the mansion and subsequent areas improves setup time and mirrors the dynamic exploration found in games like Betrayal at the House on the Hill. Standard zombies pose an increased threat in this iteration; upon defeat, their bodies remain on the board unless burned with Kerosene, potentially reviving as more dangerous Red Zombies.
If you're looking to dive into just one game from the series, Resident Evil stands out as the most polished and recommended choice.
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, introducing players to new locations such as 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
The inaugural game in Steamforged's Resident Evil series, Resident Evil 2, introduces players to the zombie-infested corridors of Raccoon City's police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can assume the roles of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios that lead from the S.T.A.R.S. Office to the Umbrella Laboratory.
While Resident Evil 2 is a fun and strategic game, it lacks some of the refinements and features introduced in later entries. Its linear scenario progression and some quality-of-life issues, such as overly dark tiles and missing components for life and ammo dials, are notable drawbacks. Nevertheless, it remains an engaging experience, especially for fans of the original video game.
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 available, introducing new items, enemies, and the challenge of escaping from Mr. X, providing a deeper and more varied experience for Resident Evil 2 enthusiasts.
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
Designed to complement the B-Files expansion, Malformations of G challenges players to confront Birkin Stage Three before their escape, intensifying the gameplay experience.
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 revamped versions of characters from the base game, along with new enemies and a PvP mode for a fresh twist on gameplay.
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, including Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes like fighting through hordes of enemies and a PvP race to prevent an outbreak, making it a must-have for fans.
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 Resident Evil 2, enhancing the gameplay mechanics and introducing a non-linear approach to exploring the devastated Raccoon City. Players can embody Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to navigate the city while being pursued by the relentless Nemesis.
The game's Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the city's deterioration, increasing the difficulty as the situation worsens. The Narrative deck adds variety to each playthrough, making strategic decisions about resource gathering and progression crucial to the survival horror experience.
Although the game's components are generally high quality, the scenario map on the dashboard feels less robust compared to other elements. Despite this minor flaw, Resident Evil 3 offers an engaging and dynamic campaign, making it an excellent entry point for those interested in 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 enriches the game with new playable characters, including advanced versions of the base game's cast, and introduces new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. With new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant, this expansion intensifies the challenge.
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 provides nine new scenarios set in locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory, introducing new enemies and bosses, including the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis. New weapons and items help players tackle these challenges, ensuring a thrilling continuation of the Resident Evil 3 experience.
