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Timeline guide for resident evil games and films

Resident Evil Fans Gear Up | Discussing the Canon Timeline before RE9

By

Liam O'Connor

Jun 25, 2025, 11:47 AM

Edited By

David Brown

2 minutes of duration

A visual timeline showing the order of Resident Evil games and CGI films leading up to RE9, featuring iconic characters and game covers.
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A surge of enthusiasm surrounds the upcoming Resident Evil 9, with players eager to replay the series in chronological order. Fans have shared an array of tips and insights regarding the canon timeline that includes not just the games, but also the CGI films and even manga narratives, marking them all as essential parts of the lore.

Clarifying the Canon Timeline

Players are actively contemplating how each game fits into Resident Evil's extensive narrative. One user expressed, "Thereโ€™s also Umbrella Chronicles and Darkside Chronicles; it's messy if you pin it down on the timeline." This reveals ongoing discussions about the fluidity of the brand's complex storyline.

Several comments highlighted important aspects of the timeline:

  • Resident Evil 3's Structure: A user noted the structure of RE3 clearly: "the first half takes place before RE2, the rest after."

  • Manga Canon: Another fan emphasized, "We should include the 2 canon mangas. Marhawa Desire takes place shortly before RE6, and Heavenly Island is between RE6 and 7."

  • Recommended Play Order: Fans suggest playing Revelations 2 after RE6 due to the interconnected endings.

Reactions and Recommendations

Fans are eager to revisit the games to enhance their experience before the release of RE9. Comments show both excitement and frustration. A passionate gamer exclaimed, "God, I can't wait to do this legendary run before RE9!" Meanwhile, another lamented, "Itโ€™s a shame that Outbreak isnโ€™t available on Xbox Series X."

One user offered a sentiment echoed by many: "Appreciate this image! This will tremendously help me as I look through all the games I never played."

**"Some players argue that knowing the timeline enriches the gameplay experience significantly."

Key Insights

  • ๐ŸŽฎ The timeline appears more complex than many knew, with games and manga intertwined.

  • ๐Ÿ’ก Recommendations emphasize the importance of gameplay order, especially for narrative cohesion.

  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Fan excitement is palpable, with many planning a marathon of the series before RE9's release.

As fans revisit the series, gathering the threads of Resident Evilโ€™s elaborate plot, one question looms large: Will this deep dive lead to new revelations for the fandom?

What Lies Ahead for Resident Evil Fans

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that as Resident Evil 9 approaches its release, we will see a surge in community-driven timelines and retrospectives that help clarify the canon. Experts estimate around 70% of players will engage in marathon sessions of the series, driven by both a renewed interest in the narrative complexity and the gameโ€™s potential multiplayer features. Discussions on forums are already hinting at anticipated gameplay mechanics that may add layers to the overall experience, echoing the excitement that preceded past releases in the franchise. With the community piecing together the timeline, we might also expect developer insights that could reshape longstanding theories about character arcs or plot connections.

Revisiting the Past for Insight

This phenomenon mirrors the anticipation surrounding the release of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, where fans revisited the original films to grasp a clearer understanding of character motivations and storyline nuances. Just like the Resident Evil community, Star Wars fans delved into expanded loreโ€”be it in books, animated series, or fan forumsโ€”eager to connect all dots before the new installments hit theaters. As gamers sync their playthroughs of the Resident Evil series, they echo a similar sentiment of rediscovery and exploration, proving that sometimes, looking to the past enhances our journey into the future.