The Coziest Resident Evil Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Some Resident Evil games offer a casual, cozy, and comforting experience amidst the horror-filled franchise.
• Games like Resident Evil Gaiden, Mercenaries 3D, and Operation Raccoon City provide 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 odd that any Resident Evil game could be seen as ‘cozy’ considering this is a franchise firmly rooted in the survival horror genre. However, while some titles will do all they can to keep players on the edge of their seats with horror-filled suspense, this isn’t necessarily the case for all of them, as there are a fair few that are often considered to be more casual, relaxed, and even comforting at times.

This can occur in a few different ways, such as the gameplay being a little slower and more methodical, the peaceful environments, or the story and characters simply being more lighthearted than what the series is usually known for. Either way, there is the possibility for a Resident Evil game to be considered cozy, as has been proven with the titles listed below.

8 Resident Evil Gaiden

It’s Easy To Warm Up To Gaiden’s Silly Story And Stress-Free Gameplay

Resident Evil Gaiden plays much differently from anything else seen in the series, not only due to its FPS view but also because the story is entirely non-canon. Therefore, the plot, which follows Leon and Barry being stranded on a zombie-infested ship out at sea, is able to be a lot more fun and whacky in its presentation.

The game is also far more straightforward than many of its counterparts, specifically the combat where players must time a crosshair on the screen just right to fire a shot at a zombie or Tyrant. Not having hordes of zombies surrounding the protagonist all at once already makes the game a lot less anxiety-inducing, and more of a casual and comfortable handheld experience that is still worth checking out even today.

7 Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D

Mercenaries 3D Is A Casual And Cozy Game To Play In Short Bursts

Though there was a lot of skepticism about how well a full Resident Evil Mercenaries-focused entry would run on Nintendo’s 3DS, the game turned out to defy many people’s expectations as it managed to become a more than worthy handheld spin-off. Running around and blasting Ganado and Majini heads off with some of the series’ most iconic characters is a gameplay loop that just never gets old, and is easy to play in short but satisfying bursts.

Mercenaries 3D also has plenty of unlockables, including new sets of costumes that can be acquired for each character, making for a fun and low-stress-level grind. Overall, it’s a casual handheld title which many consider to be a heartwarming love letter to the fans.

6 Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

The Co-Op Aspect Of Operation Raccoon City Makes For A Fun And Fairly Relaxing Experience

When the Resident Evil series began leaning more into the action genre after Resident Evil 4, one positive aspect of these titles that many fans appreciated was the ability to play co-op. Operation Raccoon City, despite being a black sheep of the series, is an absolute blast to run through with up to 3 other friends in a what-if story that takes place during the zombie outbreak in Raccoon City.

The reason it can be considered such a cozy game though is due to how easy it is to run through with a few friends. Moving through different scenarios and gunning down swarms of zombies, or jumping on 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 Over-The-Top Moments Are Contrasted By Periods Of Calmness And Serenity

Resident Evil Code Veronica is far from an easy game, and it’s also considered to be one of the longest in the entire series. However, one thing to note about this gothic-inspired entry is how it manages to compliment its chaotic and over-the-top moments with calm periods that provide warmth and comfort for Claire and the player.

After breaking out of Rockfort Prison, for example, and fighting through a handful of bloodthirsty zombies, Claire eventually reaches the Palace save room which, when paired with the faint music in the back, is one of the most relaxing areas in the series. Code Veronica also contains quite a hefty amount of backtracking, but once all the zombies are taken care of, running around the island instead becomes a calming stroll through a visually jaw-dropping set of locales.

4 Resident Evil 2 Remake

Existing Within The Walls Of The RPD Somehow Feels Much Cozier Than Being Outside

The remake tofthe iconic Resident Evil 2 manages to capture a unique sense of creepy-coziness that other games in the series have struggled to replicate. While the RPD is crawling with zombies and hideous Lickers, a lot of the game sees either Leon or Claire simply finding their way around the building, learning about the events of the outbreak, and picking up keys as they go.

There’s something about being inside the RPD rather than out on the murky streets that makes the environment eerily comforting. On subsequent playthroughs, the game can be finished in no more than a few hours, making it the Resident Evil equivalent of comfort food which is just so enjoyable to snack on time and time again.

3 Resident Evil 4

A Casual And Lighthearted Adventure That Is Perfectly Designed For Subsequent Playthroughs

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

All of this creates a game that experienced players can breeze through in a single afternoon or evening. It makes sense why so many longtime fans of the series will dive back into Leon’s journey at least once every few months or years when considering how utterly comforting and nostalgic this relic of the industry really is.

2 Resident Evil Village

Village’s Storybook-Like Aesthetic And Snowy Environments Grant It An Unusual Coziness

Make no mistake, Resident Evil Village certainly contains its fair share of horrific enemies, but what makes the game strangely comforting is the environments, which are loosely based on Romanian folklore. Navigating the large snowy village, solving puzzles along the way, and seeking out key items, can actually be a pretty relaxing gameplay loop, at least when the Lycans are taken care of, that is.

The storybook-like aesthetic of the game and its tone also makes it a lot more whimsical and magical than its predecessors, almost feeling like some sort of twisted Disney movie. In the same vein as those films though, Village’s atmosphere manages to create a genuinely cozy gameplay experience for a lot of its playtime.

1 Resident Evil Remake

The Sound Design, Music, And Methodical Gameplay Make The First Game A Comforting Classic

After Resident Evil’s brief introduction cutscene, players are dropped in the middle of an enormous mansion which they are free to explore at their own leisure. This game doesn’t overwhelm players with hordes of zombies or stalker enemies, but instead, allows them to navigate their way around the area at their own pace while also being more strategic in how they approach combat.

The lack of music, the fire-lit rooms, and the whistling breeze that can be heard in the background all contribute to the game’s serene and calming atmosphere. Even the save rooms are often considered to be among the best for how simple yet comforting they are. The game is also extremely simple in terms of its narrative, making for an easy but still enjoyable experience that is all so easy to return to.