Best Horror Games to Play Before the Resident Evil 4 Remake

The Resident Evil 4 Remake is creeping just around the corner, with the highly anticipated release set for March 24, 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. According to early review scores, the Resident Evil 4 Remake is among the most critically acclaimed games of the current generation and stands on its own without needing any prior knowledge of the franchise. However, whether you’re a Resident Evil fanatic or a series newcomer, here is a sample platter of some excellent horror experiences to whet gamers’ appetites before the arrival of Resident Evil 4’s main course.

Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Demo (2023)

Although it is not technically a full game, if you want to take Resident Evil 4 Remake’s early gameplay for a test drive, make sure to download its recently released “Chainsaw Demo.” Not only do you get to experience a taste of the excellent, survival horror action that Resident Evil 4 has to offer, the demo has a surprising level of replayability with a variety of findable weapons and even a secret difficulty mode for gamers to explore. The 15-20 minute Chainsaw Demo is a great way to help players determine whether or not the Resident Evil 4 Remake is the right game for them, and will undeniably aid in the excitement for March 24.

Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

As seen in the Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Demo, there is a short cutscene that quickly recaps the events of both Resident Evil 2 (2019) and Resident Evil 3 (2020), but gamers would be wise to experience both titles themselves. Between the second and third-game remakes, Resident Evil 2 stands out as the most necessary to play prior to Resident Evil 4. The 2019 rebuild of the 1998 game of the same name is one of the highest rated survival horror games of all-time and features Leon S. Kennedy as co-protagonist. The horror icon Kennedy returns as the player character of Resident Evil 4, making the previous chapter in the hero’s story worthy of your time prior to the latest entry’s release.

Related: Resident Evil Games Ranked by Sales

Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Despite the fact that Resident Evil 3 didn’t receive the same high praise of the aforementioned Resident Evil 2, the 2020 Remake is undoubtedly still worth a try prior to Resident Evil 4. In order to fully understand the saga of Raccoon City, Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira’s chilling, action-packed adventure is a must-play. Arguably the best element of the Resident Evil 3 Remake is its addicting dodge roll mechanic that makes the game’s leading characters feel like zombie-slaying super-soldiers.

The Original Resident Evil 4 (2005)

Platforms: Android, GameCube, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Oculus Quest 2, PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One

It only makes sense that gamers should play the original Resident Evil 4 in order to determine whether or not the remake lived up to its lofty expectations. The original Resident Evil 4 is among the most critically acclaimed games ever made and its innovative over-the-shoulder aiming was revolutionary, forever changing Resident Evil and the videogame industry at large. With so many available platforms to choose from, its very likely that gamers have at least one copy of this survival horror staple sitting somewhere in their game collection already.

Related: Resident Evil Games Ranked by Critic Scores

Dead Space Remake (2023)

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

To provide a recent game outside the Resident Evil universe, the undisputed champion of survival horror in the current generation of gaming is Dead Space Remake, which launched not even two months ago on January 27, 2023. Electronic Arts and Motive Studio’s rebuild of the sci-fi horror classic was praised for improving the 2008 title, seamlessly integrating the Necromorph dismemberment gameplay, while adding new secret endings, side missions, and additional character voice acting to optimize the experience for the modern landscape of videogames. Before you crown Resident Evil 4 as the new king of survival horror, don’t exclude the Dead Space Remake from your collection.