Steamforged Games has made a name for itself by bringing some of the video game world's most iconic franchises to the tabletop, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the highly anticipated Elden Ring adaptation. However, today we're focusing on their Resident Evil series, which includes Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3.
The Resident Evil series kicked off with Resident Evil 2 in 2019, followed by Resident Evil 3 in 2021, and culminating with Resident Evil in 2023. Each game in this trilogy shares similar mechanics, allowing players and up to three friends to take turns navigating through eerie corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs, recreating the stories of each game. These titles are packed with highly detailed plastic miniatures that represent both the terrifying creatures you'll face and the survivor heroes you'll control.
Resident Evil: The Board Game
Resident Evil: The Board Game
1See it at Amazon
MSRP: $114.99 USD
Players: 1-4 (best with 2)
Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario)
Ages: 14+
See it at Amazon
The latest and most polished entry in the trilogy, Resident Evil, refines and enhances the best elements from its predecessors while introducing new mechanics that add depth and tension to the gameplay. Players can take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton as they explore 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 sent on missions to gather supplies and provide benefits, albeit at the risk of being eliminated.
Resident Evil introduces a flexible narrative flow, allowing players to explore the mansion's rooms in various orders, unlocking new areas with items and puzzle-solving. The game uses special cards to construct the mansion and other locations, streamlining setup compared to previous games. If you're looking to dive into just one game from the series, Resident Evil is the top recommendation due to its refined gameplay and new features.
A notable change is that zombies no longer disappear after being killed; instead, their bodies remain on the board until players use a new resource, Kerosene, to burn them. If not burned, these corpses can reanimate as more dangerous Red Zombies, adding a strategic layer to the game.
Resident Evil Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion
Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost
0See it at Amazon
MSRP: $69.99
See 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. This expansion is perfect for fans of the base game, offering both a mini-campaign and standalone scenarios.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
0See it at Amazon
MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge website price)
Players: 1-4 (Best with 2)
Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario)
Ages: 14+
See it at Amazon
Resident Evil 2 was the first in Steamforged's Resident Evil series, introducing players to the zombie-filled corridors of the Raccoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can choose from Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo to face off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios, from the S.T.A.R.S Office to the Umbrella Laboratory.
While Resident Evil 2 is a fun game, it lacks some of the refinements and features found in later titles. Its campaign is linear, with scenarios following a set order, and some quality-of-life issues, like overly dark tiles and missing parts for life and ammo dials, can detract from the experience. However, the game still offers engaging gameplay that requires strategic planning to avoid being overwhelmed by enemies.
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 Amazon
MSRP: $54.99 USD
See it at Amazon
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 Amazon
MSRP: $32.99
See it at Amazon
This expansion is designed to be played with the B-Files expansion, adding a challenge against 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 Amazon
MSRP: $54.99
See it at Amazon
The Survival Horror expansion is highly recommended, adding five new playable characters, advanced versions of base game characters, new enemies, and a PVP gameplay mode for a fresh twist on the game.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
0See it at Amazon
MSRP: $32.99
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This expansion introduces fan-favorite characters Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes like fighting through hordes of enemies and a PVP race to stop the outbreak. The Tofu miniature alone is a compelling reason to get this expansion.
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
0See it at Amazon
MSRP: $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, both in terms of storyline and mechanics. It shifts from a linear scenario approach to a more open-ended exploration of the burned-out ruins of Raccoon City. Players can choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills to survive the Nemesis's relentless pursuit.
The game introduces a Danger Tracker mechanic, which increases the difficulty as the city deteriorates, influenced by player actions and objectives. A Narrative deck adds variety to each playthrough, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere. The only downside is the scenario map, which feels less robust compared to other components.
If you prefer a more open-ended campaign and want to skip Resident Evil 2, this game 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 Amazon
MSRP: $44.99
See it at Amazon
The Last Escape expansion introduces new playable characters, including advanced versions of the base game's cast, and new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It also includes new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant for added challenge.
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion
0See it at Amazon
MSRP: $69.99
See 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, bosses, and weapons. Players will need all their skills and resources to face the formidable Stage 3 Nemesis.
Each player's turn in these games consists of three phases: the Action Phase, where players can move, open or close doors, search for items, trade, use items, or attack; the Reaction Phase, where enemies move and attack, requiring players to roll dice to avoid danger; and the Tension Phase, where players draw from the Tension deck, which can result in nothing happening, something bad happening, or something really bad happening. By the end of the first round, players should have a good understanding of the game mechanics and can focus on surviving the zombie apocalypse.
Combat involves rolling dice and comparing results with the equipped weapon's stats and abilities. Outcomes can range from pushing enemies to adjacent squares, killing them, or missing entirely. Shooting can attract enemies from adjoining rooms, adding a strategic element to combat decisions and enhancing the survival horror experience.
As campaign board games, each title includes multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as part of a connected story, with items and conditions carrying over between sessions. For those who own multiple games in the series, there's potential for crossover, allowing players to mix and match characters and scenario tiles, though some adjustments may be necessary.
