The Coziest Resident Evil Games, Ranked

Key points

• Some Resident Evil games offer a casual, welcoming, and comforting experience in the midst of a horror-filled franchise.
• Games like Resident Evil Gaiden, Mercenaries 3D, and Operation Raccoon City offer more relaxed gameplay.
• The cozy atmosphere of games like Resident Evil Code Veronica, 2 Remake, and 4 make them perfect for nostalgic replayability.

At first it might seem strange to some Resident Evil the game could be seen as “cozy” considering it's a franchise firmly rooted in the survival horror genre. However, while some titles do everything possible to keep players on the edge of their seats with horror-filled suspense, this is not necessarily the case for all, as there are some that are often considered more casual, relaxed and even comforting at times .

This can happen in a number of ways, such as the gameplay being a little slower and more methodical, the environments being peaceful, or the story and characters being simply more lighthearted than what the series is usually known for. In any case, there is the possibility of a Resident Evil game to consider welcoming, as has been demonstrated with the titles listed below.

8 Resident Evil Gaiden

It's easy to get hooked on Gaiden's silly story and stress-free gameplay

Resident Evil Gaiden works very differently from anything else seen in the series, not only because of its FPS vision but also because the story is completely non-canon. Therefore, the plot, which follows Leon and Barry stranded on a zombie-infested ship on the open sea, can be much more fun and whimsical in its presentation.

The game is also much simpler than many of its counterparts, particularly the combat where players must time the on-screen crosshair at the right moment to shoot a zombie or tyrant. Not having hordes of zombies surround the protagonist all at once makes the game much less anxiety-inducing and more of a casual, comfortable portable experience that's still worth checking out today.

7 Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D

Mercenaries 3D is a casual and friendly game to play in short bursts

Although there was a lot of skepticism about how good a full house it was Resident Evil The mercenary-focused entry would run on Nintendo's 3DS, the game proved to defy many people's expectations as it managed to become a more than worthy portable spin-off. Running around and blasting Ganado and Majini with some of the series' most iconic characters is a gameplay loop that never gets old and is easy to play in short but satisfying bursts.

3D Mercenaries It also has tons of unlockables, including new costume sets that can be acquired for each character, making it fun and stress-free. Overall, it's a casual portable title that many consider to be a heartwarming love letter to fans.

6 Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

The cooperative aspect of the Raccoon City operation makes the experience fun and quite relaxing

When the Resident Evil the series started leaning more into the action genre after that Resident Evil 4a positive aspect of these titles that many fans appreciated was the possibility of playing in cooperative mode. Operation Raccoon Citydespite being a black sheep of the series, it's a blast to take on with up to 3 other friends in a hypothetical story that takes place during the zombie outbreak in Raccoon City.

The reason why it can be considered such a welcoming game is due to how easy it is to play it with a few friends. Moving through different scenarios and taking down swarms of zombies, or jumping into the multiplayer mode to control some of the series' most iconic heroes, is a strangely relaxing experience compared to many of the much more stressful mainline games.

5 Resident Evil: Code Veronica

Code Veronica's exaggerated moments are contrasted by periods of calm and serenity

Resident Evil Code Veronica it is not an easy game and is also considered one of the longest in the entire series. However, one thing to note about this gothic-inspired chapter is how it manages to complement its chaotic, over-the-top moments with calm periods that provide warmth and comfort for Claire and the player.

After escaping Rockfort Prison, for example, and fighting off a handful of bloodthirsty zombies, Claire eventually reaches the Palace's save room, which, when paired with the soft music at the back, is one of the most relaxing areas of the series. Code Veronica it also contains a significant amount of backtracking, but once all the zombies are taken care of, running around the island instead becomes a relaxing stroll through a series of visually stunning locations.

4 Resident Evil 2 Remake

Somehow existing within the walls of the RPD feels much cozier than being outside

The remake of the iconic Resident Evil 2 manages to capture a unique sense of eerie intimacy that other games in the series have struggled to replicate. While the RPD is crawling with zombies and horrible Lickers, much of the game involves Leon or Claire simply finding their way around the building, learning the events of the outbreak, and collecting keys as they go.

There's something about being inside the RPD rather than the dark streets that makes the environment strangely comforting. In later playthroughs, the game can be completed in no more than a few hours, making it the Resident Evil the equivalent of comfort food that's so enjoyable to snack on over and over again.

3 Resident Evil 4

A casual and light-hearted adventure, perfectly designed for subsequent playthroughs

Resident Evil 4 it might just be the most replayable game ever made. Since the game is essentially broken up into numerous areas that all present a unique challenge, it almost feels like you're completing one minigame after another as part of the journey. Resident Evil 4 it also strips away the horror just enough to make the game a little more lighthearted and fun, especially with the amount of jokes Leon throws around.

All of this creates a game that experienced players can tackle in a single afternoon or evening. It makes sense why so many longtime fans of the series dive into Leon's journey at least once every few months or years when you consider how comforting and nostalgic this industry relic truly is.

2 Village of resident evil

The village's storybook aesthetic and snowy environments give it an unusual intimacy

Don't make any mistakes, Village of resident evil certainly contains its fair share of horrific enemies, but what makes the game strangely comforting are the environments, which are loosely based on Romanian folklore. Exploring the large snowy village, solving puzzles along the way, and searching for key items can actually be a pretty relaxing gameplay loop, at least when taking care of the Lycans.

The game's storybook aesthetic and tone also make it much more whimsical and magical than its predecessors, almost giving the feel of some sort of twisted Disney movie. In the same way as those films, however, the atmosphere of Village manages to create a truly welcoming gaming experience for much of the playtime.

1 Resident Evil remake

The sound design, music, and methodical gameplay make the first game a comforting classic

After Resident Evil short introductory movie, players are thrown into the middle of a huge mansion that they are free to explore as they please. This game doesn't overwhelm players with hordes of zombies or stalker enemies, but instead allows them to move through the area at their own pace while being more strategic in how they approach combat.

The lack of music, the rooms lit by fire and the whistling breeze that can be heard in the background contribute to the game's serene and relaxing atmosphere. Save rooms are also often considered among the best because of how simple yet comforting they are. The game is also extremely simple in terms of narrative, making for an easy but still fun experience that's easy to return to.