Steamforged Games boasts a remarkable collection of board game adaptations based on iconic video game franchises. From *Monster Hunter* and *Devil May Cry* to *Sea of Thieves* and *Gears of War*, their catalog is impressive, with the highly anticipated *Elden Ring* adaptation on the horizon. But for now, let's delve into their captivating *Resident Evil* trilogy: *Resident Evil*, *Resident Evil 2*, and *Resident Evil 3*.
Beginning with *Resident Evil 2* in 2019, followed by *Resident Evil 3* in 2021, and concluding with *Resident Evil* in 2023, this trio shares a core set of mechanics. Up to four players navigate perilous environments—dark corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs—reliving the suspense of each game's narrative. Each title features exquisitely detailed miniatures, bringing the terrifying creatures and courageous survivors to life on your tabletop.
Resident Evil: The Board Game
Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion
Each turn unfolds in three phases: Action, Reaction, and Tension. Players have four actions per turn, allowing them to move, manipulate doors, search for items, trade, use items, or attack. Enemies react during the Reaction Phase, moving towards or attacking the active player, who then rolls dice to evade danger. The Tension Phase involves drawing from a special deck, introducing unpredictable events—from benign occurrences to dire consequences. After the first round, players will quickly grasp the gameplay and focus on survival strategies.
Combat involves dice rolling, comparing results against weapon stats and abilities. Outcomes range from pushing enemies to outright kills or misses, highlighting the unpredictable nature of even basic zombie encounters. Successful attacks can trigger enemy movement in adjacent rooms, adding a strategic layer to combat decisions. This system enhances the survival horror atmosphere, forcing players to carefully weigh their options.
As campaign board games, each *Resident Evil* title offers multiple scenarios playable as standalone experiences or a connected narrative. Modular tile-based levels feature locked doors, items, and other elements. Players track inventory, health, and other information between scenarios. Standalone scenarios provide starting gear and information, offering flexibility for diverse playstyles.
The series encourages cross-gameplay. While not explicitly stated in the rules, players can mix and match characters and scenario tiles across titles, creating unique combinations. For example, Leon Kennedy could navigate the Spencer Mansion alongside Chris Redfield. This cross-compatibility adds significant replayability.
Resident Evil: The Board Game
The most refined entry in the trilogy, *Resident Evil*, refines previous mechanics and introduces innovative elements. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and surrounding areas as iconic characters like Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and Barry Burton. New support characters, including Albert Wesker, can be deployed on missions, adding strategic depth. The narrative is flexible, allowing players to tackle rooms in various orders based on item acquisition and puzzle-solving. Scenario setup is streamlined using cards, replacing the paper map of *Resident Evil 3*. The game also introduces the use of Kerosene to burn zombie corpses, preventing their reanimation as more dangerous Red Zombies. If you're only looking to buy one, this is an excellent choice.
Resident Evil Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost: This expansion adds six new scenarios, two new bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), and new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. A must-have for fans of the base game.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
The inaugural title in Steamforged's *Resident Evil* series, *Resident Evil 2*, immerses players in the Raccoon City Police Station, facing Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. While chronologically second (or third, depending on whether you count *Zero*), it’s recommended to play the other games first, as it lacks the refinements of later entries. While a fun game, it suffers from some minor quality-of-life issues, such as dark tiles and missing components in some editions. However, the core gameplay remains engaging and challenging.
Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion: Doubles the number of scenarios, adding new items, enemies, and the challenge of escaping Mr. X.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion: A smaller expansion to be played alongside the B-Files expansion, featuring Birkin Stage Three.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion: Highly recommended, adding five playable characters, enhanced versions of existing characters, new enemies, and a PvP mode.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion: Adds Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, along with new modes and challenges.
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
*Resident Evil 3* builds upon *Resident Evil 2*, offering a more open-ended campaign. Players choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique abilities. The game's difficulty increases as Raccoon City deteriorates, influenced by player actions and successes. A new Danger Tracker mechanic reflects the escalating threat. While the game's components are generally high-quality, the scenario map's paper quality is a minor drawback.
Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion: Introduces new playable characters, including Barry Burton, along with advanced versions of base game characters, new monsters, and a permadeath mode.
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion: Adds nine new scenarios set in locations such as the City Hospital and Dead Factory, featuring new enemies and bosses.
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