With Halloween right around the corner and hype building around the recently announcedninth entry in theResident Evilseries,Resident Evil Requiem, there’s no better time to go back and experience some of the games that started it all.Forget the remakes, go back and see what made fans of the franchise fall in love with these iconic characters in the first place.
Resident Evil 2 & 3 Are Great PS Plus Additions
The Original RE2 & RE3 Remain Must-Plays For Resident Evil Fans
While they aren’t nearly as popular asResident Evil 4, especially given thatRE4is the most recent in the series to receive a remake,Resident Evil 2and3are still phenomenal games that anyREfan should play at least once. Yes, there are remakes of these as well, but most longtime players still agree that while the remakes are great,the originalRE2andRE3remain a better experience, and now you can have a say yourself when they come to PS Plus on August 19th, 2025.
If you’re unaware,Resident Evil 2follows the story of the newest officer in Raccoon City, Leon Kennedy, who you may already be familiar with if you’ve played some of the laterResident Evilgames. Given that this game is the first in the series where you get to know one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, you won’t want to skip over this one. Especially if theLeon rumors aboutResident Evil Requiemare true, and he will make a surprise last appearance.
As forResident Evil 3, which takes place parallel toResident Evil 2,you’ll play Jill Valentinewhile she works her way through the city, all while trying touncover the mysteries surrounding the Umbrella Corporation. Although Jill gets a bit more of a mixed reaction from players than Leon, if you’ve played through and enjoyedResident Evil 2, then it’s worth playing throughRE3too.
Even After Remakes, OG Resident Evil Games Are Worth Playing
Just Because A Remake Is Newer, Doesn’t Necessarily Mean It’s Better
Remakes of classic games have long been a debated topic. Whilesome remakes end up being GOTY nominees, likeRE4’s remake, not every game gets so lucky. In the case ofResident Evil 2and its remake,both are equally great games, but playing through the original first allows you to truly appreciate the QOL changes and enhanced scare factor inRE2r. Not to mention thatRE2still features a better OST and atmosphere overall that completes the experience.
Unfortunately, however,Resident Evil 3wasn’t so lucky with its remake. It’s not exactly a secret that almost nobody prefers theResident Evil 3 remakeover the original for a number of reasons.Not only does theRE3rfeel rushed, but it also cuts a significant amount of content that results in a very lackluster playthrough.When you’ve experienced allRE3originally had to offer, I can’t help but viewRE3ras more of a disappointment than anything else.
All that’s to say thatyou’re not necessarily missing out if you don’t play the remakes, but you will be missing out if you forego the originals for the remakes entirely or even just attempt to play the remakes first. Since the originals are being added to the PS Plus catalog this month, there’s no reason not to give them a shot while you await the latest news on the upcoming ninth installment in theResident Evilseries,Resident Evil Requiem.
Resident Evil
“Resident Evil” is a survival horror franchise that originated as a video game series before expanding into films, animated movies, TV shows, comics, and novels. The franchise focuses on the outbreak of a deadly virus developed by the Umbrella Corporation, leading to a global apocalypse filled with zombies and other mutated creatures. Known for its tense atmosphere, intricate puzzles, and engaging storylines, “Resident Evil” has become one of the most successful and influential franchises in both gaming and horror entertainment.
