Steamforged Games has adapted several major video game franchises into board games, including Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and the upcoming Elden Ring. 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 locations, battling hordes of detailed plastic miniatures representing iconic creatures and heroes. Gameplay involves three phases per turn: Action, Reaction, and Tension. Players have four actions, choosing from movement, door manipulation, item acquisition, trading, item use, or combat. Enemies react, pursuing and attacking, requiring dice rolls to evade. The Tension phase introduces unpredictable events from a dedicated deck.
Combat uses dice rolls against weapon stats and abilities, with outcomes ranging from pushing enemies to kills or misses. Even basic zombies pose a challenge. Gunfire attracts enemies from adjacent rooms (if doors are open), adding strategic depth.
Each game features multiple scenarios, playable as standalone experiences or a connected campaign. Modular tile-based levels depict locked doors, items, and other elements. Player inventory, health, and other data carry over between scenarios in a campaign. Standalone scenarios provide starting gear and information. Crossover between games is possible, allowing for character and tile mixing, although some adjustments may be necessary.
Resident Evil: The Board Game
MSRP: $114.99 USD Players: 1-4 (best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon
The most refined of the trilogy, Resident Evil refines previous mechanics and adds new ones. Players explore the Spencer Mansion and surrounding areas as Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, or Barry Burton. Support characters (Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, and Brad Vickers) can be dispatched on missions.
Narrative flow is flexible, with room access determined by item acquisition and puzzle solving. The mansion is represented by cards, improving on RE3's paper map. Smaller areas are built and expanded dynamically. Killed standard zombies remain as corpses, requiring kerosene to burn and prevent reanimation as stronger Red Zombies. This game is a strong standalone recommendation.
Resident Evil Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil: The Bleak Outpost
MSRP: $69.99 See it at Amazon
Adds six scenarios, two bosses (Neptune and Plant-42), and new locations (Guard House and Aqua Ring). A great addition for fans of the base game.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge website price) Players: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon
The first in the Steamforged series, Resident Evil 2 features Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, and Robert Kendo battling Lickers, Zombie Dogs, and Birkin across eight scenarios. While chronologically second (or third, excluding Zero), starting here is not recommended due to less refined mechanics compared to later entries. The linear scenario progression, dark tiles, and missing components in some copies detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, it remains a fun, strategically demanding game.
Resident Evil 2 Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: B-Files Expansion
MSRP: $54.99USD See it at Amazon
Doubles the number of scenarios, adding new items, enemies, and the goal of escaping Mr. X.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G B-Files Expansion
MSRP: $32.99 See it at Amazon
A small-box expansion for use with B-Files, adding a Birkin Stage Three encounter.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: Survival Horror Expansion
MSRP: $54.99 See it at Amazon
Adds five playable characters, advanced versions of base game characters, new enemies, and a PvP mode. Highly recommended.
Resident Evil 2 The Board Game: - 4th Survivor Expansion
MSRP: $32.99 See it at Amazon
Adds Hunk and Tofu as playable characters, new escape modes, and a PvP race mode. The Tofu miniature is a major selling point.
Resident Evil 3: The Board Game
MSRP: $114.99 USD (Steamforge’s website) Players: 1-4 (Best with 2) Play Time: 60-90 minutes (per scenario) Ages: 14+ See it at Amazon
Resident Evil 3 builds upon RE2, offering a more open-ended campaign. Players choose from Jill, Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique skills. The city deteriorates based on player actions and success, impacting difficulty via a Danger Tracker. A Narrative deck adds replayability. The map's paper quality is a minor drawback. This is a good starting point if you prefer open-ended campaigns.
Resident Evil 3 Board Game Expansions
Resident Evil 3: The Last Escape Expansion
MSRP: $44.99 See it at Amazon
Adds new characters (Barry Burton, Brad Vickers, Tyrell Patrick, Marvin Branagh, Dario Rosso, and Murphy Seeker), advanced versions of base characters, new enemies (Brain Suckers, Giant Spiders, crows), and a permadeath variant.
Resident Evil 3 The Board Game: City of Ruin Expansion
MSRP: $69.99 See it at Amazon
Includes nine new scenarios in new locations (City Hospital, City Park, Dead Factory), new enemies, bosses, and weapons. Features a Stage 3 Nemesis encounter.
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