Steamforged Games has adapted several popular video game franchises into board games, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the upcoming Elden Ring adaptation. This article focuses on their Resident Evil trilogy: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3.

Released in 2019, 2021, and 2023 respectively, these games share similar mechanics. 1-4 players navigate perilous environments (dark corridors, burning streets, sinister labs) recreating the stories of the respective video games. Highly detailed miniatures depict both the horrifying creatures and the surviving heroes.

Featured Games & Expansions:

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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Gameplay involves three phases per turn: Action, Reaction, and Tension. Players have four actions: move, open/close doors, search, trade, use items, or attack. Enemies react, moving towards or attacking the active player, who rolls dice to evade. The Tension phase involves drawing cards with varying consequences.

Combat uses dice rolls compared to weapon stats and abilities. Successful attacks may kill enemies, push them back, or miss entirely. Shooting attracts enemies from adjacent rooms (if doors are open), adding a strategic layer.

Each game features multiple scenarios playable individually or as a campaign. Levels are built using tiles, and player progress, health, and inventory carry over between scenarios. One-off games provide starting gear and information. Some crossover between games is possible, allowing for character and tile mixing.

Resident Evil: The Board Game (Review):

Resident Evil: The Board Game

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This refined entry improves upon its predecessors. Players explore the Spencer Mansion with characters like Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and support characters like Albert Wesker. A flexible narrative allows for varied room exploration order. The use of cards for location building streamlines setup. The persistence of zombie corpses, requiring kerosene to burn, increases the challenge. This is a recommended starting point for newcomers.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game (Review):

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

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This entry introduces players to Raccoon City Police Station. Players take on the roles of Leon, Claire, Ada, or Robert Kendo, facing Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin. The linear scenario progression and some minor component issues (dark tiles, missing fasteners) are less refined than later entries. Despite this, it remains a fun, strategic game.

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game (Review):

Resident Evil 3: The Board Game

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Building upon RE2, RE3 offers a more open-ended campaign. Players explore Raccoon City as Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, facing Nemesis. The Danger Tracker mechanic increases difficulty as the city deteriorates. The Narrative deck adds replayability. While the map component is less polished than other elements, the open-ended gameplay makes it a strong entry point.

This overview provides a comprehensive look at Steamforged Games' Resident Evil board game series, highlighting their features, mechanics, and expansions. Each game offers a unique experience within the shared universe, catering to different preferences.