Summary
- On rare occasions, studios other than Capcom developed a Resident Evil game, including Resident Evil Survivor.
- Many of these titles took the series in interesting new directions to varying results.
Did you know some Resident Evil games weren’t made by Capcom? While all mainline entries and most spin-offs were handled in-house by the iconic third-party developer, there have been rare occasions when a different studio got a crack at the survival horror series.
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In total, five Resident Evil titles were developed by a company other than Capcom, starting all the way back on the PS1. Surprisingly, most of these games took the series in bold new directions, for better or worse. While not all of them were home runs, they stand out as interesting pieces of video game history with plenty of fascinating ideas.
We’ve ranked the following games in launch order.
5
Resident Evil Survivor
Developed By Tose
Resident Evil: Survivor
- Released
-
January 27, 2000
- Developer(s)
-
Tose
- ESRB
-
m // Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
At the time, Resident Evil Survivor was a big step for the series. Not only was it the first spin-off, but it was also the very first FPS entry. Set after the events of Resident Evil 3, the story follows an amnesia-riddled protagonist who wakes up next to a helicopter crash and a dead body. Alone and confused, he scours the zombie-infested streets in search of answers.
The gameplay should feel both familiar and different for long-time fans. The iconic door-opening loading screens return, along with fan-favorite enemies like Lickers and Hunters. However, unlike previous entries, you have unlimited ammo to help you survive. Sadly, this new direction was met with poor reviews, criticizing the awkward controls and lack of scares.
The game was developed by Tose, most known for Super Princess Peach, Yoshi’s Cookie, and numerous Dragon Ball titles. The studio would return for one more Resident Evil game, but oddly enough, it wasn’t involved with Survivor’s sequel.
4
Resident Evil Gaiden
Developed By M4
Resident Evil Gaiden
- Platform(s)
-
Nintendo Game Boy Color
- Released
-
June 4, 2002
- Publisher(s)
-
Capcom, Virgin Interactive
- ESRB
-
t // Blood, Violence
It’s easy for even the most dedicated fans to forget Resident Evil had a Game Boy Color entry. The first handheld game in the series, Resident Evil Gaiden follows Leon Kennedy and Barry Burton as they investigate a cruise ship rumored to be transporting Umbrella’s newest bio-organic weapon. Upon arrival, they encounter yet another zombie outbreak and must fight their way out.
The game is played from a top-down view, which switches to a first-person perspective every time you fight an enemy. Like its predecessors, you need to solve puzzles, preserve ammo, and collect healing herbs to survive. It’s certainly an interesting piece of Resident Evil history, albeit with a rather bizarre twist regarding Leon’s identity, which has since been retconned.
The game was developed by a lesser-known studio named M4, which sadly closed just one year after Gaiden launched. The company only published three other titles across its short lifespan: Tazmania Munching Madness, Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000, and Mary-Kate and Ashley: Winner’s Circle.
3
Resident Evil: Dead Aim
Developed By Cavia
Resident Evil: Dead Aim
- Released
-
June 17, 2003
- Developer(s)
-
Capcom Production Studio 3
- ESRB
-
m // Blood and Gore, Violence
A follow-up to Resident Evil Survivor, Resident Evil: Dead Aim is another off-rails light gun shooter. It takes place four years after Resident Evil 2 and follows Special Agent Bruce McGivern, who must infiltrate one of Umbrella’s ocean liners to stop a bioterrorist from releasing the T-virus.
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This time, the gameplay switches between third and first-person perspectives. You explore from an over-the-shoulder view, similar to Resident Evil 4, which transitions to first-person when you enter combat. The game even supports the PS2 lightgun and USB mouse. It launched to mixed reviews but is generally regarded as a solid experience.
The Japanese studio Cavia handled development and would later co-develop Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and its sequel alongside Capcom. You may also recognize the company from its work on the Nier and Drakengard series. Cavia was disbanded in 2010 after being absorbed into AQ Interactive.
2
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Developed By Tose
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
- Released
-
June 28, 2011
- Developer(s)
-
Tose
- ESRB
-
M
The second and final entry developed by Tose, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is a more fleshed-out version of the Mercenaries modes from Resident Evil 4 and 5. The premise is simple: each level drops you on a battlefield where you must kill as many enemies as possible before time runs out. The maps include iconic RE locations, such as Salazar Castle and the Los Iluminados village.
The game is notable for many reasons. On the plus side, it features online functionality, allowing you to play co-op with people from around the globe. However, it caused quite a controversy at launch for preventing you from deleting save data. Plus, Leon’s absence from the character roster is beyond baffling.
Despite that, The Mercenaries 3D was met with somewhat of a positive reception. The arcade-style, score-chasing gameplay is undoubtedly fun and a blast to play with friends. It may not be as scary as other installments, but it’s a decent choice if you’re craving some high-speed, zombie-shooting action.
1
Resident Evil: Resistance
Developed By NeoBards Entertainment
Resident Evil: Resistance
- Released
-
April 3, 2020
- Developer(s)
-
Neobards Entertainment
- ESRB
-
m
Resident Evil: Resistance is an asymmetrical online multiplayer game bundled with Resident Evil 3 Remake. Four survivors compete against one mastermind in a battle of wits. Survivors must work together to find an exit while the mastermind watches from a distance and releases zombies and traps to stop their progress.
If you’re playing as the villain, you can choose from various iconic RE baddies, including Annette Birkin, Nicholai Ginovaef, and Oswell E. Spencer. Survivors are stuck with mostly new characters, with Jill Valentine as the one exception.
Development was handled by the independent studio NeoBards Entertainment, which had previously worked with Capcom on the Devil May Cry HD Collection and Resident Evil Origins Collection. The company continues to work closely with Capcom, assisting with Resident Evil Re:Verse and Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection.
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