Every Resident Evil Setting Ranked

“Resident Evil 6” (2012)

There is so much about “Resident Evil 6” that is utterly forgettable and mundane, and the same goes with its various locations. Yes, locations, we’re going plural here people! RE6 was all about quantity over quality, and you can see how badly it suffers from that approach. Despite going through so many rooms, corridors, and open areas, everything feels like it was ripped from some other generic game. Wow, a yard of shipping containers. Good golly, it’s a street market. Color us impressed!

“Resident Evil 5” (2009)

RE5, for all its flaws, does manage to stick out a lot more than its successor. Are there any iconic locations that stick out because of their aesthetic? Is there an area that has ingrained itself into our heads as the iconic location of the game? Eh, not really. However, the set pieces do hold some resonance because of certain moments in the game. You have the dry and hot village in the opening of the game, the temple where you fight Jill and Wesker, the boat chase with that one dude from the Prohibition Era… Only problem is that the narrative moments steal the show, and if it wasn’t for those, we would have forgotten everything about RE5’s location.

“Resident Evil 0” (2002)

RE0 gets a notch over RE5 for one reason and one reason only, and no, it isn’t specifically because it’s set in the Arklay Mountains. It’s because a good chunk of the game is on a train. There’s just something really unique about horror and trains that makes them work well together even in RE0. Perhaps its the different themed coaches all coupled together mixed with the claustrophobia imposed by their narrow and tight layouts. Oh, we know there’s more in the game, but come on - the train is the best part in the game!

“Resident Evil - Code: Veronica” (2000)

“Code: Veronica” was a wonderful treat that gave us two classic settings for horror that we’ve dreamt of experiencing. (Not in reality, mind you.) Claire has been captured and isolated in a desolate prison, eventually being let out by an unknown man. Of course, that is only half of the game; you also have the Umbrella facility in Antarctica with its stony architecture, steel doors, and icy walls. We only wish we got a little more time with these areas than we ended up with.

“Resident Evil: Village” (2021)

This creepy settlement was part of the reason why we named “Village” our 2021 Game of the Year. Not only does it boast a creepy and menacing presence, but it also holds a plethora of secrets to uncover. Hidden treasures, secret passageways, shortcuts into other areas, and of course, that opening shot of Castle Dimitrescu looming over it. The only reason it wound up this low on the list was how it hides the other four areas a little too well. Sure, you can see the windmill to Moreau peeking a bit, but Heisenberg’s factory and Beneviento Estate don’t get as much of a view, do they?

“Resident Evil 3: Nemesis” (2000) & “Resident Evil 3 Remake” (2020)

To finally be able to explore Raccoon City was all we ever wanted from RE3, and we got it. Unfortunately, it’s one of those “be careful what you wish for” moments. We love the place for what it is! You have this city (not too quaint, not too metropolitan) that still shows some age, but it also shows what its life might have been like before the outbreak. It’s as if the place is frozen in time forever til it was nuked to Hell. The big complaint, really, was how labyrinthian it all felt every now and again. Thank god for maps.

“Resident Evil 7” (2017)

RE7 brought us back to a similar approach as the first game, and we’re glad it went back to the basics! Keeping things confined to one small location loaded with mystery can help make your game all the more memorable. Every nook and cranny was crafted to make almost every spot in the Bakers’ residence look distinct from each other. And most folks will never forget that unholy dinner or the opening hour spent exploring that disgusting basement. Oh, and there’s also Marguerite’s disgusting room in the upper levels of the home. No amount of bleach will help you unsee that.

“Resident Evil 4” (2005) & “Resident Evil 4 Remake” (2023)

The unknown village in rural Spain is forever ingrained in our minds for several reasons. Obviously, the entire mob that attacks you at the start of the game is the most iconic moment. But then, you have areas like the mill where El Gigante awaits you, the minecart ride, Salazar’s castle, need we go on? It all melds together quite beautifully for a ride of terror and corny dialogue. Just keep in mind that some segments have been omitted for the remake. Still, both are fantastic in their own ways.

“Resident Evil” (1996) & “Resident Evil HD” (2002)

Spencer Mansion could have easily taken the number one spot. After all, this was the location that helped set “Resident Evil” down the path of success. It’s a classic setting for a horror game: creepy, seemingly abandoned mansion with a pristine look despite the dark secrets it holds. Part of its resonance comes from the fixed camera angles, too (as much as we gripe about it every now and again). Just about every angle and every room leaves you dreading what might lie behind every door. So, how come it didn’t hit the top of the totem pole for us?

“Resident Evil 2” (1998) & “Resident Evil 2 Remake” (2019)

RPD is easily the best setting in the entire “Resident Evil” franchise. What makes this place so special is how it presents its facade. A police station should be a safe place to hide in during a zombie outbreak. Alas, every room reveals a horrific scene, and every scrap of notes or thread of emails shows that even a house of justice became corrupted. This tip of the iceberg approach is what has made RE2 one of the best games in the franchise, and to this day, it’s the sole reason why some of us still play and replay RE2.