Resident Evil Games to Play Before Requiem

Before you jump into the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, you should play Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Resident Evil Village, and the Resident Evil 2 remake (or the original if you prefer classic controls) to understand the core characters and the current story arc. These three titles establish the first-person perspective, the Winters family saga, and the return of a major antagonist that Requiem is expected to continue. While other entries are excellent, these are the essential narrative pillars that will make Requiem’s plot, characters, and twists land with full impact.

Why These Three Are Essential

The Resident Evil series has a sprawling, 25+ year timeline with multiple protagonists and overlapping storylines. However, Requiem is a direct sequel to the events of Resident Evil Village, which itself is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7. The Winters family arc—Ethan, Mia, and their daughter Rose—is the emotional and narrative core of this new era. The Resident Evil 2 remake matters because it reintroduces the Umbrella Corporation’s original T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City, which is the foundation for everything that follows, and it features characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield who may appear in Requiem as supporting figures.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard – The New Beginning

Resident Evil 7 (2017) is a soft reboot that shifts the series to a first-person perspective and a more survival-horror tone, heavily inspired by classic haunted house films. You play as Ethan Winters, an ordinary man searching for his missing wife Mia in a derelict Louisiana plantation owned by the Baker family. The game introduces the Mold, a new biological agent that creates the game’s grotesque enemies and is central to the plot of Village and likely Requiem. You also meet Chris Redfield in a post-credits scene, setting up the next game. Its ending directly leads into Village, so skipping it would leave you confused about who Ethan is, why he’s infected, and what the Mold actually does.

Resident Evil Village – The Direct Sequel

Resident Evil Village (2021) picks up a few years after 7. Ethan and Mia have a daughter, Rose, who is kidnapped by the game’s antagonist, Mother Miranda, who wants to use Rose’s unique Mold-based powers to resurrect her own daughter. The game takes place in a Romanian-style village and features the four Lords—Lady Dimitrescu, Karl Heisenberg, Donna Beneviento, and Salvatore Moreau—each with a distinct area and boss fight. The story reveals that Chris Redfield shot Mia, but it turns out the “Mia” was actually a Mold copy created by Miranda. The true Mia is freed, and Ethan sacrifices himself to destroy Miranda and save Rose. The ending shows Chris handing baby Rose to a mysterious figure, setting up the future. Village is essential because Requiem is a direct continuation of Rose’s story, and the game’s “Shadows of Rose” DLC already hints at her powers and the Mold dimension she can access.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – The Foundation

The Resident Evil 2 remake (2019) is a modern retelling of the 1998 original, but it’s more than a nostalgia trip. It establishes the Raccoon City incident, the T-Virus, and the origins of the Umbrella Corporation’s bioweapons. You play as Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie cop, and Claire Redfield, who is looking for her brother Chris. The game introduces the Tyrant (Mr. X), the Licker, and the G-Virus, all of which are referenced in later games. For Requiem, the remake matters because it’s the most accessible way to understand the broader Resident Evil lore, and it reintroduces characters like Ada Wong and Sherry Birkin who may return. It also sets up the “Raccoon City” connection that ties the older games to the new arc, since the Mold in 7 and Village is a later mutation of the same bio-weapon research.

Other Games Worth Playing (But Not Required)

If you have time, several other entries enrich the experience but are not strictly necessary. Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020) is a shorter, action-heavy follow-up to 2, featuring Jill Valentine and Nemesis, and it shows the final destruction of Raccoon City. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023) is a masterpiece that introduces Leon’s later career and the Las Plagas parasite, but its connection to the Winters arc is minimal. The original Resident Evil (or its remake) is the very first game, but its story is largely self-contained. The Resident Evil Revelations games are side stories that fill in gaps but are not essential. For the most part, you can skip these and still follow Requiem, but playing them will give you a richer appreciation of the series’ recurring themes of corporate greed, bio-terrorism, and the cost of scientific hubris.

How to Play Them in Order

If you want to experience the story chronologically, start with Resident Evil 2 Remake, then Resident Evil 7, then Resident Evil Village. That order gives you the classic outbreak, then the modern reboot, then the direct sequel. If you prefer to follow the release order of the new arc, play 7 first, then Village, then 2 Remake as a prequel. Both approaches work, but the chronological order makes the callbacks in Village to Raccoon City (like the Umbrella logo and the mention of the T-Virus) more meaningful. Each game takes roughly 10-15 hours to complete, so you can finish all three in a weekend if you focus on the main story and skip side content.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that you need to play every Resident Evil game to understand the new ones. That’s not true. The series has soft rebooted multiple times, and 7 was designed as a jumping-on point for newcomers. Another misconception is that Village is a direct sequel to 4 because of the village setting and the merchant-like character. While 4 is referenced, Village is firmly a sequel to 7. Also, some players think that the “Shadows of Rose” DLC is required before Requiem. While it’s a good idea to play it because it explores Rose’s powers and the Mold dimension, it’s not essential—it’s a side story that may or may not be directly referenced in Requiem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Resident Evil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 before Requiem?

No. The new arc starting with 7 is intentionally separate. While references to older games exist, you won’t be lost if you skip them. The only older game that is strongly recommended is Resident Evil 2 (either version) because it establishes the T-Virus and Raccoon City, which are referenced in Village and likely Requiem.

Is Resident Evil Village a direct sequel to 7?

Yes, absolutely. Village picks up the story of Ethan and Mia Winters a few years after 7. The game’s opening scenes recap the ending of 7, and the plot revolves around the consequences of Ethan’s infection and the birth of Rose. You should play 7 first to fully understand the emotional stakes.

Should I play the “Shadows of Rose” DLC before Requiem?

It’s a good idea, but not mandatory. The DLC takes place after the main story of Village and shows Rose using her powers in a Mold dimension. It’s likely that Requiem will reference these events, but the DLC is a self-contained side story that you can play in about 4-5 hours. If you want to be completely caught up, play it, but it’s not a prerequisite.

Can I skip the remakes and play the originals?

Yes, you can. The original Resident Evil 2 (1998) has the same core story, but the remake (2019) is more accessible with modern controls and graphics. For the purposes of Requiem, the remake is fine. The original is still great if you enjoy tank controls and fixed camera angles, but it’s not necessary.

What about Resident Evil 4 Remake? Is it connected to Requiem?

Not directly. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023) is a separate story about Leon S. Kennedy and the Las Plagas parasite. It has no connection to the Winters family or the Mold. While it’s a great game, it’s not required for Requiem. If you want to play it for fun, you can, but it won’t affect your understanding of the new game.

How long will it take to play all three essential games?

Each game takes about 10-15 hours for a standard playthrough. So, you’re looking at 30-45 hours total, depending on your pace and whether you explore everything. If you’re short on time, you can finish 7 and Village in about 20 hours combined, and that’s the bare minimum to understand Requiem.

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