Resident Evil: Complete Beginner's Guide
Resident Evil: Complete Beginner’s Guide
Welcome to our comprehensive beginner’s guide to the Resident Evil series. This guide covers everything you need to know to get started with Resident Evil games, from choosing the right game to basic gameplay mechanics and tips for survival.
Choosing the Right Resident Evil Game
Best Games for Beginners
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Resident Evil 2 Remake
- Why It’s Good for Beginners: Modern controls, balanced difficulty, great introduction to the series
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- Key Features: Great story, iconic characters, balanced gameplay
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Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Why It’s Good for Beginners: Modern controls, first-person perspective, focused gameplay
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation VR
- Key Features: Intimate horror, great story, accessible gameplay
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Resident Evil Village
- Why It’s Good for Beginners: Modern controls, beautiful graphics, varied gameplay
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PlayStation VR2
- Key Features: Stunning environment, memorable villains, balanced gameplay
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Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Why It’s Good for Beginners: Modern controls, action-oriented gameplay, great pacing
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Key Features: Iconic gameplay, great story, balanced difficulty
Games to Avoid as a Beginner
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Resident Evil 1 (Original)
- Why to Avoid: Outdated controls, fixed camera angles, high difficulty
- Alternative: Resident Evil 1 Remake (2002) or Resident Evil HD Remaster (2015)
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Resident Evil 0
- Why to Avoid: Inventory management issues, high difficulty
- Alternative: Resident Evil 2 Remake or Resident Evil 7
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Resident Evil 6
- Why to Avoid: Overly complex, too action-oriented, convoluted story
- Alternative: Resident Evil 4 Remake or Resident Evil Village
Basic Gameplay Mechanics
Movement and Controls
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Modern Controls
- Movement: Use the left analog stick to move, right analog stick to look around
- Running: Press the left analog stick in to run
- Crouching: Press the crouch button (varies by platform)
- Interacting: Press the interact button to open doors, pick up items, etc.
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Classic Controls (Tank Controls)
- Movement: Use the D-pad or left analog stick to move in the direction the character is facing
- Turning: Use the right analog stick or shoulder buttons to turn
- Running: Press the run button
- Interacting: Press the interact button
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Combat Controls
- Aiming: Press the aim button to bring up the targeting reticule
- Shooting: Press the fire button to shoot
- Reloading: Press the reload button
- Melee Attacks: Press the melee button
- Dodging: Press the dodge button at the right time
Inventory Management
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Item Management
- Inventory Screen: Access the inventory screen to manage items
- Item Slots: Each character has a limited number of inventory slots
- Combining Items: Combine items to create more powerful items (e.g., herbs)
- Storage Boxes: Use storage boxes to store items you don’t need immediately
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Key Items
- Keys: Used to unlock doors and containers
- Map: Shows your current location and explored areas
- Documents: Provide lore and gameplay hints
- Weapons: Used to defeat enemies
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Resource Management
- Ammo: Collect ammo for your weapons
- Healing Items: Collect herbs and first aid sprays
- Save Items: Collect ink ribbons (in classic games) to save your progress
Combat
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Basic Combat
- Aim for Weak Points: Target enemy weak points (e.g., zombie heads)
- Conserve Ammo: Use melee attacks and environmental hazards when possible
- Retreat: Don’t be afraid to retreat if you’re low on ammo
- Use the Right Weapon: Different weapons are effective against different enemies
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Enemy Types
- Zombies: Slow but relentless, headshots are effective
- Ganados: Faster than zombies, can use weapons
- Molded: Fast and aggressive, weak to fire
- Lycans: Fast and powerful, weak to silver
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Boss Fights
- Learn Patterns: Study the boss’s attack patterns
- Use the Environment: Use environmental hazards to your advantage
- Bring the Right Weapons: Use powerful weapons like magnums
- Stay Mobile: Keep moving to avoid boss attacks
Survival Tips
General Survival Tips
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Conserve Resources
- Ammo: Only use ammo when necessary
- Healing Items: Only use healing items when your health is low
- Save Items: Use save items strategically
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Explore Thoroughly
- Search Every Room: Look for items in every room
- Check Containers: Open drawers, cabinets, and other containers
- Read Documents: Documents provide valuable information
- Use the Map: The map shows unexplored areas
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Plan Ahead
- Save Often: Save your game regularly
- Prepare for Boss Fights: Stock up on ammo and healing items before boss fights
- Backtrack: Return to previous areas after obtaining new keys
- Know When to Run: Sometimes it’s better to run than fight
Game-Specific Tips
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Resident Evil 2 Remake
- Mr. X: Use doorways and stairwells to lose him
- Resource Management: Save ammo for tougher enemies
- Map Usage: Use the map to track key locations
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Resident Evil 7
- Jack Baker: Run away when he’s on fire
- Molded: Use the flamethrower for groups
- Inventory: Keep your inventory organized
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Resident Evil Village
- Lady Dimitrescu: Break windows to make her vulnerable
- Lycans: Use the shotgun for groups
- Exploration: Take your time exploring the village
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Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Ganados: Aim for the head to stagger them
- Merchant: Upgrade your weapons regularly
- Ashley: Protect Ashley from enemies
Understanding the Resident Evil Universe
Key Concepts
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Umbrella Corporation
- A pharmaceutical company that secretly develops bioweapons
- Responsible for the T-Virus outbreak
- The main antagonist of the early games
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T-Virus
- A virus that turns humans into zombies
- Developed by the Umbrella Corporation
- The cause of most outbreaks in the series
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B.O.W.s
- Bio-Organic Weapons, genetically engineered creatures
- Created by the Umbrella Corporation
- Include zombies, hunters, tyrants, and more
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STARS
- Special Tactics and Rescue Service, an elite police unit
- The protagonists of the early games
- Includes Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Albert Wesker
Important Characters
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Chris Redfield
- One of the original STARS members
- Appears in multiple Resident Evil games
- Known for his strength and combat skills
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Jill Valentine
- One of the original STARS members
- Appears in multiple Resident Evil games
- Known for her intelligence and resourcefulness
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Leon S. Kennedy
- A rookie police officer in Resident Evil 2
- Appears in multiple Resident Evil games
- Known for his charm and combat skills
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Claire Redfield
- Chris Redfield’s sister
- Appears in multiple Resident Evil games
- Known for her compassion and resourcefulness
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Ethan Winters
- The protagonist of Resident Evil 7 and Village
- A regular civilian caught up in bioterrorism
- Known for his resilience
Major Events
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The Mansion Incident (1998)
- The events of the first Resident Evil game
- STARS team investigates mysterious murders in the Arklay Mountains
- Discovers the Umbrella Corporation’s secret laboratory
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Raccoon City Outbreak (1998)
- The events of Resident Evil 2 and 3
- T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City
- The city is destroyed by a nuclear missile
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The Fall of Umbrella (2003)
- The Umbrella Corporation is shut down
- Its assets are seized by the government
- Survivors continue to fight bioterrorism
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The Dulvey Incident (2017)
- The events of Resident Evil 7
- Ethan Winters searches for his missing wife
- Discovers the Baker family and the Mold
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The Village Incident (2021)
- The events of Resident Evil Village
- Ethan Winters searches for his kidnapped daughter
- Discovers a village ruled by four lords
Advanced Tips
Improving Your Skills
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Practice Makes Perfect
- Play the same game multiple times to improve
- Try different difficulty settings
- Experiment with different playstyles
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Learn From Others
- Watch walkthroughs and tutorials
- Read guides and forums
- Join online communities
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Challenge Yourself
- Try speedrunning
- Play on harder difficulty settings
- Complete optional objectives
Exploring the Series
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Playing in Order
- Chronological Order: Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 1, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village
- Release Order: Resident Evil 1, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village
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Spin-Off Games
- Resident Evil: Revelations
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2
- Resident Evil Resistance
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Other Media
- Movies: Live-action and animated films
- Books: Novels and comics
- Merchandise: Action figures and collectibles
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New Player Mistakes
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Wasting Ammo
- Mistake: Using ammo on weak enemies
- Solution: Use melee attacks or run past weak enemies
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Ignoring the Map
- Mistake: Not using the map to navigate
- Solution: Check the map regularly to avoid getting lost
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Not Saving
- Mistake: Forgetting to save your progress
- Solution: Save your game after every major event
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Hoarding Items
- Mistake: Keeping too many items in your inventory
- Solution: Use the storage box to store items you don’t need immediately
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Fighting Every Enemy
- Mistake: Trying to fight every enemy
- Solution: Run past enemies when possible
Advanced Mistakes
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Not Upgrading Weapons
- Mistake: Forgetting to upgrade your weapons
- Solution: Upgrade your weapons regularly
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Ignoring Environmental Hazards
- Mistake: Not using environmental hazards
- Solution: Use explosive barrels and other hazards to defeat enemies
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Not Planning Routes
- Mistake: Not planning your route through the game
- Solution: Plan your route to minimize backtracking
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Overconfidence
- Mistake: Being overconfident in your abilities
- Solution: Always be prepared for the unexpected
Conclusion
The Resident Evil series offers a unique blend of horror, action, and puzzle-solving that has captivated gamers for decades. Whether you’re new to the series or a returning fan, there’s always something new to discover in the Resident Evil universe.
By following the tips and advice in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to surviving the horrors of Resident Evil. Remember to stay calm, conserve your resources, and always be prepared for the unexpected. Good luck, and welcome to the world of Resident Evil!