The Coziest Resident Evil Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Some Resident Evil games offer a casual, cozy, and relaxing experience within 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 for perfect nostalgic replayability.

Anything may seem strange at first. resident evil This game can be considered 'cozy' considering it's a franchise firmly rooted in the survival horror genre. However, this is not necessarily the case for all titles, as while some titles do their best to keep players on the edge of their seats with fear-filled suspense, there are a fair few that are often considered more. Casual, comfortable, and sometimes even comforting.

This could happen in a few different ways, such as the gameplay being a little slower and more methodical, a peaceful environment being created, or the story and characters being more light-hearted than what the series is usually known for. Either way, there is a possibility resident evil Gaming is considered cozy, as evidenced by the titles listed below.

8 Resident Evil Gaiden

Gaiden's silly story and stress-free gameplay are easy to get into.

Resident Evil Gaiden It's very different from anything else seen in the series, not only from an FPS perspective, but also because the story is completely non-canon. So a plot that follows Leon and Barry becoming stranded on a zombie-infested ship at sea could be a lot more fun and wacky in its presentation.

This game is also much simpler than the others. This is especially true in combat, where players must time their crosshairs precisely on the screen to fire at zombies or tyrants. Not having hordes of zombies surrounding the protagonist all at once already makes the game less unsettling and makes for a casual, comfortable portable experience that's still worth checking out today.

7 Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D

Mercenaries 3D is a casual and cozy game that can be played for a short period of time.

There were many skeptical opinions about how well it worked out. resident evil The mercenary-focused entry was slated to run on Nintendo's 3DS, and the game ended up defying many people's expectations while becoming a worthy portable spinoff. Ganado and Majini running around and blowing things up alongside 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.

mercenary 3d There are also plenty of items to unlock, including new sets of outfits you can earn for each character, making it less stressful and more fun. Overall, it's a casual portable title that many consider to be a heartwarming love letter to its fans.

6 Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

The co-op aspect of Operation Raccoon City makes for a fun and fairly relaxing experience.

at the time resident evil The series later began leaning more towards the action genre. resident evil 4One of the positive aspects of the title that many fans appreciated was its ability to play cooperatively. Operation Raccoon CityDespite being the black sheep of the series, it's an absolute blast running with up to three other friends in a what-if story that takes place during a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City.

But the reason it can be considered such a cozy game is because of how easy it is to play with a few friends. Jumping into multiplayer mode to explore different scenarios, slay hordes of zombies, or take control of the series' most iconic heroes is a strangely relaxing experience compared to the much more stressful mainline games.

5 Resident Evil: Code Veronica

The best moments of Code Veronica contrast with periods of calm and serenity.

resident evil code veronica It's far from an easy game, and is considered one of the longest games in the entire series. But what's notable about this gothic-inspired entry is how it compliments chaotic, over-the-top moments with periods of calm that provide warmth and comfort for Claire and the player.

For example, after escaping Rockfort Prison and fighting off a handful of bloodthirsty zombies, Claire eventually reaches the Palace's save room. This space is one of the most comfortable in the series, with faint music in the back. code veronica There's also a fair amount of backtracking involved, but once you've dealt with all the zombies, you'll be taking a calm stroll through the visually jaw-dropping area rather than running around the island.

4 Resident Evil 2 Remake

Being within the walls of the RPD somehow feels much cozier than being outside.

Iconic Remake resident evil 2 It captures a unique sense of spookiness and coziness that other games in the series have struggled to replicate. While the RPD is crawling around with zombies and hideous Lickers, many games see Leon or Claire simply wandering around buildings, learning about the outbreak and picking up keys.

There's something strangely comforting about being inside the RPD rather than out on the dark streets. On subsequent plays, the game can be completed within a few hours. resident evil It's like comfort food that you can snack on again and again.

3 resident evil 4

A casual, light adventure perfectly designed for subsequent play.

resident evil 4 It's probably the most replayable game ever made. The game is essentially divided into numerous areas that pose unique challenges, so it feels like you're completing minigames one by one as part of your journey. resident evil 4 It also takes away enough of the scares to make the game a bit lighter and funnier, especially with the amount of one-liners Leon throws out.

All of this makes for a game that an experienced player can easily get through in an afternoon or evening. Considering how comforting and nostalgic this industry relic really is, it makes sense why longtime fans of the series dive back into Leon's journey at least once every few months or years.

2 resident evil village

The village's storybook beauty and snow-covered surroundings give it an unusual coziness.

Make no mistake. resident evil village It certainly contains plenty of terrifying enemies, but what makes the game strangely comforting is its setting, which is loosely based on Romanian folklore. Exploring a large snowy town, solving puzzles along the way, and finding key items can actually be a pretty relaxing gameplay loop when dealing with lycans.

The storybook-like aesthetic of the game and its tone are much more whimsical and magical than its predecessor, making it feel like some kind of twisted Disney movie. But in the same vein as those movies, Village's atmosphere creates a truly cozy gameplay experience for many hours of play.

1 resident evil remake

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

later Resident Evil's In a brief introductory cutscene, players are dropped into the middle of a massive mansion that they are free to explore at their leisure. The game doesn't overwhelm players with hordes of zombies or stalker enemies, but instead allows players to explore areas at their own pace while also being more strategic in how they approach combat.

The lack of music, the lit room, and the sound of whistling in the background all contribute to creating the game's serene and soothing atmosphere. Even pantries are often considered the best spaces for simplicity and comfort. The game is also very simple in terms of story, making it an enjoyable experience that you can easily return to.