April 3 is coming upon us faster than we can imagine. However, unfortunately, it cannot come soon enough. The beginning of April will see the continuation of one of Capcom’s most famous franchises: Resident Evil 3. It is going to be a sleek new update to the series that graced our gaming consoles in 1999.
If you are a horror buff and fan of the series, we know you can’t wait for this one to hit the shelves. So, we are here today to offer some alternatives to get you through the next couple of months until this legendary entry is available for purchase and download. Take a look at these horror video games to play before Resident Evil 3.
10 Dying Light
This one maybe five years old, but it is still worth a playthrough if you haven’t yet had the opportunity to. What would happen if you had a Dead Island game, but with parkour and more expansive maps? Well, you have yourself, Dying Light. You will play as Kyle Crane, an undercover agent who has to infiltrate a quarantined city. Unfortunately, the extent to which the zombie virus has overrun the town is more than what anyone could imagine. While this one is more action than horror at times, the fact that zombies become faster and more aggressive at night does add some excellent frights and edge-of-your-seat moments.
9 Sweet Home
Do we dare put a 30-year old retro NES title on this list? Yes! And here’s why: it was the game that inspired the original Resident Evil. In fact, Resident Evil was slated to be a remake to this 1989 title. Sweet Home follows five regular people who enter a mansion to find pieces of rare Japanese art. While you may think pixels can’t be scary, the top-down look of characters walking through dark corridors is enough to make you turn on the lights even today. If you want to go back to Resident Evil’s roots, check out Sweet Home.
8 Alan Wake
When Capcom had reduced their horror to action-adventure romps, some other gaming studios were inspired by the types of games the studio used to deliver. Fortunately, this led to the creation of Alan Wake. This game took horror back to its survivalist roots, and made the prospect of camping or visiting the woods bone-chillingly frightening.
The story follows the titular character Alan Wake, an author who visits Bright Falls, Washington, who is trying to find his missing wife. This game is a satisfying blend of Silent Hill, Twin Peaks, and old school Resident Evil. It’s worth your time between now and April.
7 Obscure
What happens when three teenagers enter a high school to find their missing friend? If you guessed something horrible, you would be right. Obscure follows a total of six characters throughout their horrific journey through Leafmore High. This title directly resembles Resident Evil for its use of zombies, puzzles, and the necessity for a strategic approach to the game. Oh, and did we mention that this one is a co-op? You can have your friend join in on the fun.
6 Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
We know what you are thinking. Why in the world would we include an expansion pack from a cowboy game on this list? Well, because it is probably one of the best expansions of the last decade, and it happened to involve an excellent use of zombies. Not only is Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare fun, but it does have chilling moments that resemble the Resident Evil franchise. Those nights on the range where a zombie can rip you from your horse, or your futile attempt to try to find the cause of this outbreak is an excellent reminder of what Resident Evil used to be.
5 Arizona Sunshine
We wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t hear about this one. It didn’t receive much of a splash upon release. However, it and it’s most recent DLC have shown up on some notable lists for the zombie gameplay. Arizona Sunshine is a VR gaming experience that allows you to immerse yourself in a world that has been overrun by zombies.
While it may seem like standard fare, the plot of the game is deep and compelling. Your goal is to survive, but how you do it, and the mysteries you find might be a surprise.
4 Dead Rising
We couldn’t have a list of the games you should play to help you get to Resident Evil 3’s release date without including Capcom’s campy adventure, Dead Rising. Everything that Resident Evil has in seriousness, Dead Rising has in hilarity. From notable easter eggs to silly zombie jokes, Dead Rising is a fun adventure into the zombie apocalypse. The number of weapons you can craft, and the ways you can destroy zombies enable you to be creative. If you want another perspective of the zombie gaming experience, especially from Capcom, check out Dead Rising.
3 The Walking Dead Season 1
Again, we understand your surprise on this one, but hear us out. The Walking Dead Season 1 has a massive thing in common with Resident Evil, which is an extraordinary story about the impact of the zombie apocalypse on characters that you care about. Both franchises have made the background and character arcs of the main protagonist central to the plot of each game. The Walking Dead Season 1, as well as subsequent outings of this title, will give you a zombie-related story that keeps you coming back until April 3.
2 Resident Evil 2 Remake
The chances are high that you have probably finished this one. However, if you haven’t, or want to refresh your memory, we suggest picking up this title again. The Resident Evil 2 remake will give you the gaming feels that you need to get ready for this third outing. Whether you take on the horde as Claire or Leon, you will have a frighteningly good time. Also, as we all know, it never hurts to get a jump on that inventory management skill that you will likely need in this next game. So, revisit Resident Evil 2.
1 Resident Evil 7
This game is considered to be the title that kick-started Capcom’s new survival horror renaissance. Resident Evil 7 brought Capcom back to its survival horror and critically-acclaimed roots. The success of this game likely led to Campcom having the confidence to remake these old school titles and rerelease them. From the terrifyingly creative story to all the exceptional DLCs, Resident Evil 7 has formed a new path for Capcom, and it’s easy to see how Resident Evil 2 borrowed some elements for the atmosphere and gameplay. If you are looking for a rousing experience to get you to April, definitely revisit this title that started this new Capcom horror game era.
NEXT: 5 Reasons Why We’re Excited For The Resident Evil 3 Remake (& 5 Why We’re Nervous About It)
