Resident Evil 6is often lambasted as one of the worst entries in the long-running survival horror franchise, yet it has its own charm. Anybody who wants a horror experience without worrying about ammunition, resources, or accidentally ruining a playthrough by being too prodigal could do a lot worse than the sixth numbered entry.
Related:10 Best Survival Horror Games Of All Time (According To Metacritic)
Plenty of similar games are worth trying out for anybody looking to scratch a similar itch.Whether they have compelling cooperative play or fast-paced action, all the games below should provide thrills similar toResident Evil 6’s. Given the success ofResident Evil 7andthe two recent remakes, the series is not likely returning to this more action-forward direction anytime soon.
10Shadows Of The Damned
Produced by Shinji Mikami and partly written by Suda51,Shadows of the Damnedshowcases these two’s creative talents at every corner. The over-the-shoulder camera screamsResident Evil 4, while the writing and plot are just the type of ridiculousness one would expect from the creator ofThe Silver CaseandNo More Heroes.While the two aforementioned game designers were disappointed with their work, reviews were mostly kind.
9Resident Evil 5
BeforeResident Evil 6, the fifth mainline entryin the franchise tookResident Evil 4’sgameplay innovations and blew them up while letting players bring a friend along for the ride.
Related:10 Awesome Things That Happened Between Resident Evil 4 And 5
Resident Evil 5strays further from the survival horror roots, but it manages to be one of the finest linear cooperative action games of all time. Nothing feels better or more intense than having your back against a corner while a friend frantically rushes in to save the day.
Before venturing into survival horror RPGs, Techland was best known for theCall of Juarezseries.Dead Islandtook several cues fromBorderlandsand moved the action to a zombie-infested island. Players start out having to fend off the undead with melee weapons before earning more guns and having to battle human opponents. In co-op it is tons of fun to run away from a horde with friends while doing your best to thin the herd.
7Lollipop Chainsaw
Lollipop Chainsawdid not receive the greatest reviews upon release, but neither didResident Evil 6. Directed by Suda51, the famous and enigmatic game designer collaborated with director James Gunn for the narrative. A chainsaw-wielding cheerleader who has her boyfriend’s still living decapitated head hanging from her hip certainly sounds like it is up James Gunn’s alley. The gameplay is repetitive, but the crude humor and aesthetic should be enough for some players to enjoy.
6Dante’s Inferno
WhenDante’s Infernowas announced, people thought it was a joke. How could a developer turn a piece of classic literature into an action game? Turns out Visceral Games, the makers ofDead Space, did okay with the property.Dante’s Infernotakes many cues fromGod of War, and manages a decent interpretation of the formula. Despite a sequel hook, a continuation will likely never come to fruition.
Much likeResident Evil, theDead Spaceseries took a slow turn towards action-oriented combat and away from survival horror. The first two entries are modern classics, while the third entry polarized fans. Going through the campaign cooperatively with a buddy is certainly a plus, but it lacked the charm ofDead Spaceand its sequel. Still, it is still worth visiting if you want action-packed horror. The upcomingThe Callisto Protocolfeels like it might bring backDead Space’siconic space horror.
4Left 4 Dead
Perhaps one of the most beloved games on this list,Left 4 Deadgrabbed the world by storm on the Xbox 360 and PC. Valve is known for some of the greatest first-person shooters of all time, andLeft 4 Deadstands toe to toe withHalf-LifeandPortal.
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Fans have been clamoring for a third entry in the series for years.Turtle Rock Studios currently is working hard onBack 4 Blood, a spiritual successor toLeft 4 Dead.
3Dying Light
Dead Island 2is currently in development, but Techland is not developing it. After the firstDead Island, the team moved on toDying Light. It is similar toDead Islandin many ways, but features a bigger, more vertical map and more free-flowing movement. The story is completely forgettable, but the sequel is looking to change that with numerous branching paths. Unfortunately,Dying Light 2seems to be stuck in a troublesome development.
2Doom 3
The first twoDoomgames are revolutionary first-person shooters.Doom 3came out a decade later and slowed things down for a more horror-themed experience. The game still has its fast sequences in hell, but most of the adventure has the player facing off against only a small handful of enemies at a time. The shift polarizedDoomfans, but it certainly has its audience. The reboot from 2016 brought the series back to its roots.
1The Evil Within 2
Resident Evil 6tookResident Evil 4’sgameplay in a certain direction, whileThe Evil Withinwent the complete opposite route.The Evil Within2especially feels like the next evolution of the action survival horror gameplayResident Evil 4pioneered. With more open hubs and stealth mechanics, the second game in the series gives a new dynamic to the resource management common to the genre. WithGhostWire: Tokyoas Tango Gameworks' next project,it does not look like we’ll see a third game in the series anytime soon.
