When it comes to the Resident Evil franchise, there’s a case to be made that it’s the enemies each game features that are the reason for the season. From the series’ signature zombies, Cerberus dogs, Hunters, and other experiments born of Umbrella’s work on the T-Virus to the modern games that branch out into entirely new bio-organic weapons (BOWs), the Resident Evil games are synonymous with their respective rogues galleries. Though the first three games in the series largely feature the same enemies across each of their campaigns, Resident Evil 4 and the subsequent sequels introduce brand-new, grotesque threats for their heroes to contend with in each new entry. Resident Evil‘s monsters are just as important as each game’s iconic heroes, making them due for a ranking.
In terms of what makes an iconic Resident Evil monster, repeat appearances aren’t necessarily the defining criteria. Instead, the best monsters in the series are those foes who are capable of striking dread into the hearts of players while simultaneously featuring challenging and fun mechanics as part of their combat strategy. That said, though repeat appearances throughout the franchise aren’t necessarily essential, the higher spots on this list are occupied by series monsters that are integral to nearly every game in the series. It’s safe to say that without its iconic enemies and science experiments gone awry, Resident Evil wouldn’t be the legendary franchise that it most certainly is.
10. Lycans
Series Introduction: Resident Evil Village (2021)
Series Appearances: Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil Re:Verse
The latest mainline Resident Evil takes players back to the European setting of Resident Evil 4, only this time the threats are far more supernatural than in previous games. Resident Evil Village adopts a “carnival of horror” approach to each of its different areas branching off of the titular hub area, but the one constant is the treacherous Lycans that appear every step of the way to block protagonist Ethan Winters’ progress. These werewolf-like creatures, like their Zombie counterparts, are the rank-and-file enemies of Village and also happen to have their origins in real-world folklore and mythology. The initial encounters with these foes are rife with so much white-knuckle tension that it’s a wonder why the series hasn’t introduced them previously.
What makes the Lycans such a great introduction to the series is that fighting these enemies never gets old, even after defeating dozens of them. They continually surprise players in new and exciting ways, teaming up with one another to flank Ethan and deftly dodging incoming attacks while countering with offensives of their own. And, thanks to Village‘s excellent visuals, the up-close encounters with these lupine abominations are truly something to behold.
9. Giant Spiders/Web Spinners
Series Introduction: Resident Evil
Series Appearances: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Since their introduction in the original Resident Evil, few enemies are as hair-raising as the Giant Spiders/Web Spinners. These massive arachnids are one of the many remains of Umbrella’s experiments on various wildlife using the T-Virus, and the first encounter with a group of them in the Guardhouse’s rec room takes players completely by surprise thanks to their clever positioning on the roof. By the time one drops down to attack, it’s nearly too late, forcing players to either flee or fight in hopes of not suffering a venomous bite. Especially in areas where the poison-counteracting Blue Herbs aren’t available, a wayward encounter with a Giant Spider can be a death sentence.
Though these foes appear in several series games (including the original versions of Resident Evil 2 and 3), they continue to be absent from the franchise post The Umbrella Chronicles. And even though it does feel like a missed opportunity to not include them in the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, there are probably plenty of Resident Evil fans and arachnophobes that are just as happy to have them remain a relic of the series’ past.
8. Regenerator
Series Introduction: Resident Evil 4
Series Appearances: Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Resident Evil 4 is one of the most legendary and important games in the franchise for many reasons, but its unique enemies are absolutely one of the main elements that set it apart from the rest of the pack. High atop the list of Resident Evil 4’s terrifying new additions to the series monsters is the notorious Regenerator. Just when the game’s main story seems to be veering further into action territory with the militarized assault on the island prison, the campaign shifts gears to a claustrophobic and dread-inducing game of cat-and-mouse with an enemy that is impossible to kill…unless Leon happens to pick up the infrared scope.
With a sniper rifle and the infrared scope in tow, Leon can zero in on the Plagas parasites controlling these abominations’ regenerative abilities. Forcing the player to carefully line up shots using a sniper rifle while a deadly creature makes a slow and steady advance toward Leon is a stroke of genius, turning each encounter with a Regenerator into a brush with death. And let’s not forget the creatures’ telltale shallow breathing that gives away their presence while simultaneously causing players’ hearts to sink. Between their excellent and unique approach to encounter design and their facilitating of a tonal shift back to horror, the Regenerators are some of Resident Evil 4’s (and the series’) best monsters.
7. Chainsaw Ganado
Series Introduction: Resident Evil 4
Series Appearances: Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Speaking of iconic monsters introduced in Resident Evil 4, it would practically be a crime to not include the chainsaw-wielding Ganado on the list of the series’ most iconic monsters. After facing off against several Ganados in the game’s first main area, the village, Leon hears the revving of a chainsaw off in the distance before this hulking monstrosity comes crashing through the door after him. For most players, the next sequence that plays out is a frantic attempt to barricade yourself inside a house while fighting off Ganados from multiple entrances, all while the Chainsaw Ganado continues its hunt of the Leon. To make matters worse, one hit from the Chainsaw Ganado means instant death.
After this first encounter, players will come across a few other mini-boss-type events where they fight against either one or two Chainsaw Ganados at a time, and no matter how powerful Leon happens to be these fights are always tension exercises. The Resident Evil 4 remake takes these fights a step further by allowing the player to parry the chainsaw blade with their combat knife, seeing Leon come face-to-face with the instrument of his demise. Thanks to their difficulty, relentlessness, and aggression, the Chainsaw Ganado are one of the best monsters in Resident Evil, hands-down.
6. Cerberus/Zombie Dogs
Series Introduction: Resident Evil
Series Appearances: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil: Survivor, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps, Resident Evil 2 (2019), Resident Evil 3 (2020)
Picture it: The year’s 1996, you’ve fired up Capcom’s new horror game Resident Evil on your PlayStation, and you’ve just barely survived the game’s first encounter with a zombie. Taking either Chris or Jill through the Mansion’s first-floor hallway, you take a moment to enjoy the brief respite from whatever is happening in this strange house, only to suddenly be shocked back into action by the sound of broken glass. Suddenly, two zombified dogs burst in through the windows and give chase, ultimately ending the lives of any player not quick enough with their reflexes to book it out of the area.
This exact scenario would play out for millions of players and stands as one of the most iconic moments in a series absolutely bursting with them. For many longtime Resident Evil fans, the infamous “dogs crashing through the windows” scene in the original game is one of those rare sections of a horror game capable of making players scream out loud. Coincidentally, this moment would also end up being what hooked players on the series moving forward and cemented the original’s place in the annals of gaming. The zombie dogs appear in several other games in the series, but it’s nearly impossible to top their introduction.
5. Hunters
Series Introduction: Resident Evil
Series Appearances: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil: Survivor, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: Dead Aim, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Resident Evil: Revelations, Resident Evil: Revelations 2, Resident Evil 3 (2020)
Despite their somewhat silly-looking appearance, which mixes the stature and size of a gorilla with reptilian features and razor-sharp claws, players would quickly come to have a healthy fear and respect of the Hunter enemies after their first encounter with one. These adept foes appear for the first time after players visit the Guardhouse and then return to the Spencer Mansion, quickly establishing how they earn the codename of “Hunter”. Their later series appearances would introduce new types, each the result of T-Virus experimentation on increasingly dangerous animals, but it’s the original Hunter (Hunter β) that stands out in most players’ minds.
One of the things that makes certain sections of the Resident Evil 3 remake so memorable are the inclusion of multiple different kinds of Hunters, which also featured as encounters in the original Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. In particular, Carlos’ trek through the hospital in the latter half of the game sees him come face to face with more than a few of these green monstrosities, each of them capable of sending a player to the game over screen with one false move.
4. Lickers
Series Introduction: Resident Evil 2
Series Appearances: Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil: Survivor, Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Resident Evil 2 (2019), Resident Evil 3 (2020), Resident Evil: Resistance (2020)
Everything in Resident Evil 2 is bigger and better than the original, and that applies all the way down to the game’s enemies. Replacing the iconic Hunter is Resident Evil 2‘s Licker, which would go on to appear in multiple series games after its introduction in the first sequel. These hideous creatures are especially unsettling thanks to their lack of any skin and exposed brains, and their lash-like tongues can quickly stun the player and leave them open for a deadly lunge attack. The original Resident Evil 2 even introduces special Lickers that have plant-like qualities in the Umbrella lab area, and these ultra-deadly foes can bring a player from full health to near-death in a single attack.
Like the Cerberus/Zombie Dogs, the Licker also features prominently in one of Resident Evil 2‘s most memorable moments. As either Leon or Claire search the RPD interrogation room for a necessary quest item, a Licker bursts through the two-way mirror and players find themselves up against one of the game’s more challenging foes in extremely claustrophobic quarters. Lickers also have a propensity to climb on walls and ceilings, and their ability to react to sound makes sneaking around them a fun injection of stealth into Resident Evil‘s survival-horror gameplay.
3. Ganados
Series Introduction: Resident Evil 4
Series Appearances: Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D, Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps, Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Since the original game, players have needed to contend with one form of an infected human or another. What begins as Zombies eventually becomes Resident Evil 5’s Majini, Resident Evil 7’s Molded, and most recently the Lycans from Resident Evil Village. Before all these, the first new humanoid enemy in the series would be the Ganados from Resident Evil 4, and they come very close to being the best enemies in the series thanks entirely to their incredible AI and sheer numbers. The original Resident Evil 4 doesn’t allow players to move and shoot at the same time, and trying to position Leon optimally to take out a room full of coordinating Ganados is still a nerve-wracking experience almost 20 years later.
Whether talking about the village Ganados, the castle Ganados, or the island Ganados, these victims of the Las Plagas parasite are effective combatants. They attack in groups, flank Leon, dodge attacks, and fire projectiles of their own. Essentially, they’re infinitely deadlier than the traditional zombies that the series is known for, and their constant taunts and threats toward Leon only serve to make Resident Evil 4 one of the most exciting and terrifying games in the series.
2. Tyrants
Series Introduction: Resident Evil
Series Appearances: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil: Survivor, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil: Dead Aim, Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Resident Evil 2 (2019), Resident Evil 3 (2020)
It’s almost impossible to talk about Resident Evil‘s monsters without mentioning the Tyrant. These iconic foes commonly act as the final bosses of most of the games they appear in, but the inclusion of one as a constant threatening presence in the series’ second and third games (something that the remakes of each both mimic and improve upon) is a genius move on Capcom’s part that forever transformed the franchise and horror games in general. Resident Evil 2, in particular, features the iconic Mr. X, whose constantly looming presence in the remake transforms the experience into a deadly game of hide-and-seek.
Other than Mr. X, though, the other Tyrants more than hold their own as iconic encounters across each of their appearances. And, of course, the most famous Tyrant of them all — Nemesis — is the only monster in the series’ history to have an entire game built around them. These foes might continually transform into something that is gradually less and less human, but their ability to strike fear into the hearts of players comes from their initial reveal as hulking humanoids that pursue the player like a BOW Terminator.
1. Zombies
Series Introduction: Resident Evil
Series Appearances: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil: Survivor, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica, Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil: Dead Aim, Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps, Resident Evil 2 (2019), Resident Evil 3 (2020)
In terms of iconic Resident Evil monsters, there’s no other option for a top ranking other than the series’ signature zombies. According to the Resident Evil lore, the “zombies” are not reanimated dead but rather the shambling near-dead remains of humans infected by the T-Virus. However, like the zombies from the films of George Romero, the only way to effectively destroy these foes is to aim for the head. Thankfully, in each of the Resident Evil games these enemies appear and are more than happy to oblige the player with plenty of means with which to dispatch them and land those cranial blows.
Zombies appear in so many Resident Evil games that it can be hard to pin down a favorite type, but arguably it’s Resident Evil 2‘s remake that features the best bunch of zombie targets. After the original game has players defeating zombies wearing lab coats (a reflection of them all being former Umbrella scientists working at the Spencer Mansion), the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City allows for Resident Evil 2 to be the first game to accurately portray a zombie apocalypse. The remake then takes this a step further by providing some satisfyingly over-the-top animations and effects to fighting the creatures, all of which still remain in clothing and around locations indicative of their place in life prior to the outbreak.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gameplay screenshot.