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Steamforged Games has made a name for itself by bringing some of the video game world's most iconic franchises to the tabletop. From Monster Hunter to Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves to Gears of War, and the highly anticipated Elden Ring adaptation on the horizon, their portfolio is diverse and exciting. However, today, we dive into their Resident Evil series, which includes adaptations of Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3.

Starting with Resident Evil 2 in 2019, followed by Resident Evil 3 in 2021, and culminating with Resident Evil in 2023, these titles share similar mechanics, creating a cohesive experience across the trilogy. Players, up to four, take turns navigating through eerie corridors, burning streets, and sinister labs, reliving the iconic stories of each game. Each title is accompanied by a range of meticulously crafted plastic miniatures, representing both the monstrous creatures you'll face and the survivor heroes you'll control.

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Resident Evil: The Board Game

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Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

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Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

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Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

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Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion

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Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

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Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

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Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

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Each player's turn in these games is divided into three phases: the Action Phase, the Reaction Phase, and the Tension Phase. During the Action Phase, players have four actions to perform, such as moving, opening or closing doors, searching areas for items, trading with other players, using inventory items, or attacking. Enemies engage during the Reaction Phase, moving towards or attacking the active player, who must roll dice to evade danger. The Tension Phase involves drawing from a Tension deck, which can lead to no effect, a negative effect, or a severe negative effect. By the end of the first round, players should have a solid understanding of the game mechanics and can focus on surviving the zombie apocalypse.

Combat in these games involves rolling dice and comparing the results to the equipped weapon's stats and abilities. Outcomes range from pushing an enemy away, killing it, or missing, with even basic zombies posing a significant challenge if luck isn't on your side. Firing a weapon also attracts enemies in adjacent rooms with open doors, adding a layer of strategic depth to the survival horror experience.

As campaign board games, each title includes multiple scenarios that can be played individually or as a connected series, mirroring the narrative of the original video games. Scenarios are constructed using tiles, with tokens indicating locked doors, items, and other interactable elements. At the end of each scenario, players assess their inventory, health, and other factors that might affect future sessions. These games are versatile, supporting both campaign play and standalone scenarios.

For fans who own multiple entries in the series, there's potential for crossover play. While not officially supported, players can experiment by mixing characters and tiles between games, although this may require some adjustments to ensure compatibility.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

1See it at Amazon MSRP: $114.99 USD Players: 1-4 (best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon

The latest and most polished of the trilogy, Resident Evil refines and enhances the mechanics of its predecessors while introducing new features. Players take on the roles of Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton, exploring the eerie Spencer Mansion and its surroundings. Unique to this entry are support characters like Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers, who can be dispatched on missions to gather supplies at the risk of their lives.

The narrative flow in Resident Evil is flexible, allowing players to explore the mansion in various orders, with rooms unlocked by items and puzzle-solving. The game uses cards to represent locations, improving on the paper dashboards of Resident Evil 3 and resembling the dynamic setup of games like Betrayal at the House on the Hill. A new resource, Kerosene, is used to burn zombie corpses, preventing them from reanimating as more dangerous Red Zombies.

This game stands out as the best starting point for newcomers to the series, offering a refined and engaging experience.

Resident Evil Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost Expansion

Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost

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The Bleak Outpost expansion adds six new scenarios and introduces two new bosses, Neptune and Plant-42, sending players to new locations like the Guard House and Aqua Ring. It's a must-have for fans of the base game, offering both a mini-campaign and standalone sessions.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge website price) Player: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon

Resident Evil 2 introduced players to the zombie-filled corridors of the Raccoon City police station and the horrors of the Umbrella Corporation. Players can choose from Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo, facing off against Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. The campaign is linear, with scenarios following a set order, which can feel restrictive compared to later games. Some quality-of-life issues, like dark scenario tiles and missing components, can detract from the experience, but the gameplay remains engaging and challenging.

Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion

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The B-Files expansion doubles the number of scenarios, introducing new items, enemies, and the challenge of escaping from Mr. X.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion

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This expansion complements the B-Files, adding a battle against Birkin Stage Three before escaping.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion

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The Survival Horror expansion is highly recommended, adding five new playable characters, advanced versions of base game characters, new enemies, and a PvP gameplay mode for a fresh twist on the experience.

Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion

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This expansion introduces beloved characters like Hunk and Tofu, along with new modes like Extreme Battle, making it a must-have for fans of the series.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge’s website) Players: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon

Resident Evil 3 builds on the foundation laid by Resident Evil 2, introducing a non-linear scenario approach that allows players to explore the devastated Raccoon City as Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai. The game escalates in difficulty as the city deteriorates, with the Danger Tracker mechanic reflecting the worsening situation. The Narrative deck adds variety to each playthrough, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere.

The game's components are generally high quality, though the scenario map feels less sturdy than other elements. For those interested in a more open-ended campaign, Resident Evil 3 is an excellent entry point into the series.

Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions

Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion

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The Last Escape expansion introduces new playable characters and advanced versions of the base game's cast, along with new monsters like Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, and crows. It also includes new rules, cards, and a permadeath variant for added challenge.

Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion

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City of Ruin adds nine new scenarios, sending players to new locations like the City Hospital, City Park, and Dead Factory. New enemies and bosses, including Stage 3 Nemesis, await, but players are equipped with new weapons and items to face these challenges.