We requested a number of world-reputed masters of unlocking to rank the very best puzzles within the sequence

Although it gave us Resident Evil 4, Capcom’s sequence shift from straight-up survival horror to extra action-oriented territory displeased many followers. And if you happen to miss the slower, extra cerebral gameplay of the early Resident Evil video games, then this listing is for you. We’ve give you a rating of the ten most attention-grabbing puzzles within the sequence which are 100% roundhouse kicking, boulder-punching-free.

10. The Sliding Squares puzzle from Resident Evil 4

The unique Resident Evil 4 and its dozens of re-releases principally did away with Resident Evil’s traditional puzzles — however not with the idea of puzzles altogether. Maybe as a cheeky reference to the extra elaborate item-hunting puzzles of the previous, RE4 duties gamers with a difficult however uncomplicated puzzle of sliding tiles.

What you see is what you get with this one: Eight tiles that gamers have to maneuver round till they type a neat image that can open a door. It’s easy, utterly completely different from what you’d anticipate, and it does a superb job of pausing the motion to have Resident Evil gamers do one thing utterly contemporary for the sequence.

09. The Drug Lab puzzle from Resident Evil 2 Remake

Resident Evil 2 Remake will get a number of love for utterly overhauling the unique’s gameplay, however it additionally deserves some credit score for its new puzzles. Whereas among the authentic’s puzzles may have labored in a remake, there’s simply no level in having followers re-solve one thing they’ve identified for over 20 years. It’s cool for remakes so as to add new stuff, and the Drug Lab Puzzle from the remake is an efficient instance.
Bear in mind how the scientists from the Resident Evil sequence appear to not be excellent at their jobs? Most gamers most likely don’t as within the authentic RE2 we simply seize a vaccine and administer it to Sherry with out a lot concern. The remake does an excellent job right here by really forcing gamers to do some lab work that the scientists have failed at. The cartridge dispersal puzzle revolves solely across the urgent of three completely different buttons so it’s fairly easy, however it nonetheless gives a pleasant mixture of difficult and enjoyable gameplay.*

*Whereas we stand by how superior that is in a sport, we are able to’t assist however stress that rookie cops shouldn’t attempt to do a scientist’s job in actual life.

Screenshot by Destructoid

08. The Water Pattern puzzle from Resident Evil 3

One factor about puzzles within the Resident Evil sequence is that regardless of their meant issue, you may simply go to Gamefaqs or YouTube to utterly “outsmart” them. That doesn’t occur right here, because the water puzzle from the unique Resident Evil 3 is randomized. YouTube can provide the gist of it, however you’re at all times going to be the one to give you the answer.

Outdoors of that, it’s nonetheless a fairly enjoyable expertise that can have gamers study the mechanics at hand as an alternative of forcing them to go on an merchandise hunt.
I definitely don’t suppose all puzzles must be randomized, however having at the least one in every of these per sport can be an excellent concept. Even when simply to additional terrorize gamers who imagine they’ll depend on a fast win.

07. The Chess Puzzle from Resident Evil 0

Resident Evil 0 didn’t get a stellar reception upon launch, however it did get one puzzle very proper. In Resident Evil 0‘s coaching facility, gamers will come throughout an enormous chess board. Chances are high gamers will instantly suppose they’ll need to put all of their chess data into follow — or that they’ll need to learn to play Chess — however this really nothing however a grasp troll transfer. Making an attempt to have interaction with this puzzle that means might result in dying by poison, so we advise gamers simply pay shut consideration to what they’re seeing.

The imposing and beautifully-drawn surroundings is however a ruse. Gamers received’t need to problem Resident Evil 0 to a lethal sport of chess — they’ll barely even have to maneuver any items. Actually, they simply must push the king and the entire thing can be over with. This puzzle does an excellent job of taking part in with our pure want to overcomplicate issues.

06. The Clock Tower puzzle from Resident Evil 3

Jill reaches a clock tower and must each restore its energy and set the time straight so she will be able to name for assist by ringing the bell. This puzzle rocks as a result of it includes the quantity of exploration and merchandise searching that you just’d usually anticipate from RE, however most of its steps are intuitive and the factor as a complete appears to make sense. We discover the Clock Tower puzzle within the late part of the sport, so it’s honest to imagine this might actually be the ending of the sport.
This puzzle is nice in and of itself, however what makes it one of many sequence’ all-time greats is its end result. In spite of everything of our troubles, Jill climbs atop the clock tower to lastly get rescued. A helicopter reveals as much as assist, however it’s instantly intercepted by Nemesis who blows it up along with his rocket launcher. What a wonderful punch within the collective intestine of so many gamers in determined want of escape.

Sadly, the clock tower doesn’t exist within the remake, however followers prefer it a lot that they’re remaking it themselves.

05. The creepy Doll puzzle from Resident Evil Village

Inexplicably, most Resident Evil puzzles lack worry issue. Whether or not we’re in a zombie-infested metropolis or a monster-ruled village, most puzzles revolve round fairly mundane actions like discovering a daily merchandise — often a crank — and utilizing it to open a door, or gathering a sequence of keys. Village adjustments that.
Resident Evil Village’s greatest puzzle has gamers disassembling and reassembling a doll. Sounds easy and creepy sufficient, proper? Mistaken. Properly, this doll is definitely made to characterize Mia, Ethan’s girlfriend. This one good points further factors for creepiness, sure, but additionally for its direct connection to the story.

It additionally helps that this puzzle results in essentially the most horrifying second within the sport — however we received’t spoil that.

04. The Completely satisfied Birthday puzzle from Resident Evil 7

From the get-go, you already know {that a} puzzle referred to as “Completely satisfied Birthday” on this sequence goes to be something however. On this twisted celebration, gamers encounter an previous tape that reveals somebody getting killed after making a mistake when trying to unravel a puzzle. Then, it makes gamers enter the identical room and face a puzzle they already know may flip lethal.
Regardless of its fame as a horror powerhouse, puzzles in Resident Evil are typically far more forgiving than these of the rather more PG journey video games from Sierra. The punishment for not fixing a puzzle in a Resident Evil sport tends to be simply that of getting to calmly attempt once more.

Not right here. This puzzle takes Resident Evil into SAW territory, and it really works. The truth that we go into this puzzle realizing that it could possibly be our final provides a layer of stress never-before-seen within the franchise.

03. V-Jolt puzzle from Resident Evil and REmake

The V-Jolt puzzle does one thing that the sequence sadly doesn’t often take care of — giving gamers the selection to make use of their smarts to beat the enemies. You possibly can ignore the puzzle and enter a firefight with a big zombie plant, however you’ve the choice of concocting a chemical combine to repair the issue.
You possibly can completely love the Resident Evil sequence with out loving its puzzles. Many followers discover among the puzzles within the video games a chore, however robust luck. Most video games within the sequence require gamers to unravel all of their puzzles if they’re to outlive the zombies. That phrase should sound insane to anybody who doesn’t know the sequence, however followers know precisely what we’re speaking about.

Puzzle haters will most likely rank the V-Jolt puzzle as their favourite puzzle as a result of it’s utterly elective, whereas puzzle lovers will most likely prefer it as a result of it’s enjoyable.

02. The Piano puzzle from Resident Evil 1

Although not very difficult, the piano puzzle from RE and REmake is without doubt one of the most memorable within the sequence. Within the Spencer mansion, gamers will discover a piano that, in true spooky mansion trend, contains a mysterious door-opening mechanism.
Gamers will open the door by accurately decoding a music sheet and taking part in its notes within the right order. The right enter will get Jill or Chris to play a section of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. The result’s a fantastically haunting second in a sport that often simply goes for the haunting half.

It additionally raises poignant questions relating to the Spencer household. Like, “Do the Spencers suck a lot that they hate Moonlight Sonata?” There’s no means they’d’ve picked a track they appreciated as a result of that may imply having to shut the scary door each time they determined to play it.

01. Resident Evil 7 demo finger puzzle

Ought to we be together with a puzzle that’s not from the precise sport? Possibly not, however we predict we’d be dishonest if we had been to disregard its influence as a result of it didn’t come tied to a price ticket.
This was not a mere puzzle, however a complete Web-wide occasion that anybody may take part on. The continually-updating demo for RE7 made certain each participant bought mad collectively whereas making an attempt to determine the thriller behind a finger, and the outcome was simply implausible. It was a type of viral group moments that fashionable gaming ought to attempt to obtain extra usually.

This demo clued us in on the truth that the brand new Resident Evil can be making an attempt to hold the torch that P.T. had sadly dropped, and we’re glad that it did. Whereas each Resident Evil 7 and Village function varied motion parts, each video games do an excellent job of balancing them with puzzles that fantastically honor the historical past of the franchise.

Tiago Manuel

Tiago is a freelancer who used to write down about video video games, cults, and online game cults. He now writes for Destructoid in an try to search out himself on the profitable facet when the robotic rebellion comes.

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