Resident Evil Multiplayer & Co-Op Games Compared

This article compares the multiplayer and co-op modes across the Resident Evil series, covering which games offer them, how they work, and how they differ. You’ll learn what to expect from each title’s online and local play, from the classic co-op campaigns to the competitive spin-offs.

Background: How Co-Op Entered Resident Evil

Resident Evil began as a solo survival horror series, but co-op became a major feature starting with Resident Evil 5 (2009). Since then, the series has oscillated between single-player-focused titles and those built around multiplayer. The mainline entries with co-op campaigns are RE5, RE6, and Revelations 2, while the series also includes standalone multiplayer games like RE: Resistance, RE:Verse, and Re:Verse (2022). Understanding this split is key to choosing the right game for your group.

Mainline Co-Op Campaigns: RE5, RE6, and Revelations 2

These three games offer full story campaigns that can be played with a partner, either online or via split-screen (on most console versions).

Resident Evil 5 – Strictly two-player co-op. Player 1 controls Chris Redfield, Player 2 controls Sheva Alomar. The game is designed around teamwork, with shared inventory and contextual actions. It’s more action-heavy than earlier titles, but still retains some horror elements.
Resident Evil 6 – Supports two-player co-op across four interwoven campaigns (Leon, Chris, Jake, and Ada). Each campaign has a different tone, from horror to action. The game also features a separate “Agent Hunt� mode where players can join as enemies.
Resident Evil Revelations 2 – Two-player co-op, but with an asymmetrical twist: one player controls a character with a gun, the other controls a support character with unique abilities (e.g., Moira’s flashlight, Natalia’s ability to see hidden items). This creates a different dynamic than RE5/RE6.

Standalone Multiplayer Modes and Games

Beyond the main campaigns, Capcom has released several multiplayer-focused experiences:

Resident Evil: Resistance – A 4v1 asymmetrical online game (released with RE3 remake). Four survivors try to escape a map while one Mastermind sets traps and spawns monsters. It’s similar to Dead by Daylight but with RE characters.
Resident Evil: Re:Verse – A 6-player deathmatch game (released with RE Village). Players control iconic characters and collect viruses to transform into monsters. It’s a pure competitive shooter with no co-op.
Resident Evil Outbreak (and File #2) – Older online co-op games (PS2 era) that allowed up to four players to survive scenarios together. Servers are no longer official, but fan servers exist.
Mercenaries Mode – A staple extra mode in RE4, RE5, RE6, and RE Village. It’s a score-attack survival mode, and in RE5/RE6 it supports online co-op (two players).

How Co-Op Works: Online vs. Split-Screen

The implementation varies significantly by game and platform. Here’s what to expect:

Online co-op – Available in RE5, RE6, Revelations 2, and Mercenaries. You can invite friends or matchmake with strangers. Most games allow you to play the entire campaign with a partner.
Split-screen – Available on console versions of RE5, RE6, and Revelations 2, but not on PC. On PC, you’ll need third-party tools for split-screen, which can be unreliable.
Crossplay – None of the mainline co-op games support crossplay between different platforms. The only exception is RE:Verse, which supports crossplay between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox (but not with Stadia, which is dead).
Drop-in/drop-out – RE5 and RE6 allow a second player to join mid-mission, but the host’s progress is saved. Revelations 2 requires starting a chapter to join.

Comparing the Modes: Which One Is Right for You?

Your choice depends on what you and your friends want:

For a story-driven co-op experience – RE5 is the most balanced, with a strong focus on teamwork. RE6 is more chaotic and longer, but some find it less focused. Revelations 2 is shorter but has a great horror atmosphere and the unique support character mechanic.
For competitive play – RE:Verse is the only pure PvP, but it’s shallow. Resistance is more strategic and has a dedicated fanbase, but the matchmaking can be slow.
For local couch co-op – RE5 and RE6 on consoles are the best, as they support split-screen. Revelations 2 also does, but the screen is divided asymmetrically (one player sees the main view, the other sees a smaller one).
For a quick session – Mercenaries is ideal, as it’s wave-based and can be played in 10-15 minutes.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Players often run into these issues:

Connection issues – RE5 and RE6 use peer-to-peer connections, so if the host has a poor connection, all players lag. Use a wired connection and have the player with the best internet host.
Save progression – In RE5 and RE6, only the host’s story progress is saved. If you play with a friend, make sure the host is the one who wants to progress.
Split-screen on PC – Not supported officially. You can use Nucleus Co-op, but it’s not guaranteed to work and may cause glitches.
Resistance matchmaking – The player base is small, so finding matches can take time. Play during peak hours or join community Discord servers.
Re:Verse balance – The game has been criticized for unbalanced characters and matchmaking. It’s best played with friends in private lobbies.

Costs and Availability

Most of these games are not free. Here’s a rough guide (prices vary by platform and sales):

RE5 and RE6 – Often sold as a bundle (Resident Evil 5 & 6 Pack) at a discount. They go on sale frequently.
Revelations 2 – Available as a full game or episode-by-episode. The complete season is usually cheap.
Resistance – Originally bundled with RE3 remake, but now sold separately. It’s free-to-play? No, it’s not free, but it’s often discounted.
Re:Verse – Included with RE Village, but also sold separately. It’s not free.

Note that online multiplayer on consoles requires a subscription (PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold).

Safety and Fair Play

When playing online, be aware of:

Cheaters – PC versions of RE5 and RE6 have had modded lobbies that can crash your game or corrupt saves. Play with friends or avoid suspicious lobbies.
Phishing – Never share your account details or click links sent by strangers in chat.
Community conduct – Report toxic players via the platform’s reporting system. Most RE communities are helpful, but online games can attract trolls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Resident Evil games have 2-player co-op campaign?

Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, and Resident Evil Revelations 2 have full two-player co-op campaigns. RE5 and RE6 are action-oriented, while Revelations 2 has a survival horror feel with an asymmetrical partner system.

Can you play Resident Evil co-op split-screen on PC?

Officially, no. Split-screen is only available on console versions of RE5, RE6, and Revelations 2. PC players can use third-party tools like Nucleus Co-op, but they are not officially supported and may cause issues.

Is Resident Evil 5 co-op online or local only?

RE5 supports both online co-op and local split-screen (on consoles). Online allows you to play the entire campaign with a friend or random player.

What is the difference between Resistance and Re:Verse?

Resistance is a 4v1 asymmetrical game where survivors cooperate to escape a Mastermind’s traps. Re:Verse is a 6-player deathmatch where you fight each other and can turn into monsters. Resistance is more strategic, Re:Verse is pure action.

Is Resident Evil 6 co-op worth playing?

If you enjoy action-heavy games, yes. RE6 has four campaigns, each with unique co-op mechanics, and it’s a lot of fun with a friend. However, it’s less horror-focused and some fans dislike its over-the-top style.

Can you play Resident Evil 5 co-op with a random player online?

Yes, RE5 has online matchmaking for co-op. You can join a random player’s game or host your own and wait for someone to join. The game also allows you to play with AI if you prefer solo.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →