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Summary
In its long history,Resident Evilhas consistently cycled through protagonists. Some characters have shot into the limelight as immediate fan favorites for their daring nature and enthralling storylines in a world rife with monsters. The most memorable among these have gone on to make multiple appearances inResident Evil’s mainline titles and spin-offs. On the flip side, others have lagged as they lack the cutting-edge factor that keeps gamers coming back for more. While future franchise entries might revisit said characters to turn their fortunes around, there is a pecking order of protagonists that can be established based onResident Evil’s current discography.
As the franchise works towards its ninth mainline addition, nearly every major character has featured in a playable role at some point. As a result, ranking the best protagonists inResident Evilcan be challenging. Several factors can impact a principal’s public perception; from minute details in character design to a relatable backstory. However, some characters have been more instrumental than others, andResident Evil’s protagonistscan be ranked efficiently by their impact.
S Tier
Leon S. Kennedy:Resident Evilis Leon Kennedy, and Leon Kennedy isResident Evil. Leon arguably has the largest fan following stemming from his stellar lead role inResident Evil 4– the installment many believe to be the best entry inResident Evilhistory.Resident Evil 4 Remake’s groundbreaking numbers have boosted his reputation, and since his humble beginnings as a rookie police officer inResident Evil 2, Leon has gone on to appear in three canon games.
Chris Redfield: While Leon may have the fan-favorite label,Chris Redfieldis the definition of a franchise legend. Boasting 15 appearances inResident Evilmainline and spin-off titles, few protagonists in gaming history are as decorated as Chris. With a distinctive muscular build, the franchise hunk has held several roles in his career, starting as an Air Force Pilot before co-founding the BSAA to fight bioterrorism.
Jill Valentine: There’s a reason Jill has featured in so many franchise titles, with her fearsome prowess in battle endearing her toResident Evilfaithful. In terms of raw skill, she has few equals in the S.T.A.R.S Alpha team – most famously defeating Nemesis and needing two BSAA members to get taken down inRE5. Her central role in events such asRaccoon Cityand the Spencer Estate have cemented her status as aResident Evillegend.
A Tier
Ada Wong: Ada Wong embodies the James Bond spy lifestyle. Combining her mysterious background with hercomplex relationship with Leon Kennedysealed Ada’s popularity in theResident Evilfranchise. Her versatility in combat, from fisticuffs to crossbows, has made her a mainstay, although she hasn’t expanded on her mainline story sinceRE6.
Barry Burton: Despite never holding a lead role in the mainline series, there are few that have had an impact onResident Evil’s storyin a similar magnitude as Barry Burton. Appearing as the oldest member of the original characters, the weapons specialist plays a mentor to Jill and takes the reins of a protagonist in theRevelations 2spin-off in a thrilling search for his daughter.
Claire Redfield: Although her brother Chris steals the spotlight, Claire has racked up an eye-popping list of accomplishments since she popped onto theResident Evilscene withRE2’s franchise-defining Raccoon City tale. A deadly hand with a weapon, Claire might be one of the mostunderratedResident Evilcharactersas she lies in Chris' shadow.
B Tier
Rebecca Chambers: Rebecca is another often overlooked character in theResident Eviluniverse due to her relegation to the sidelines in newer titles. While her last appearance in the mainline series came inRE5, she was a consistent feature in the earlier gaming, her cheerful personality in her co-lead role inResident Evil Zerowas a refreshing spin on the typical paranoid personas.
Jake Muller:Albert Wesker’s fingerprints as an antagonist are all over the Resident Evil series, andRE6expanded on him even further. Jake Muller’s status as the international bio-terriorist’s only son raised eyebrows about the protagonist, but Jake uses his superhuman abilities for good, unlike his old man.
Carlos Oliveira: Jill Valentine was undoubtedlyResident Evil 3’s star, but Carlos' supporting role was an added sheen to the title. The mercenary wasn’t afraid to go head-to-head with hordes of zombies in his playable missions, contrasting Jill’s dodging approach. He has yet to make another appearance in the series, and he is one of the characters that needs more screen time to flourish.
Ethan Winters: The supposedlyindestructible star ofRE7andVillagegot dealt a heavier hand than most. Ethan’s perseverance is admirable even in a franchise built around apocalyptic levels of hardship. Despite his storyline retaining the traditionalResident Evilrescue theme, Ethan departs from consistent combat in favor of a hide-and-seek dynamic, which doesn’t sit well with everyone.
C Tier
Billy Coen: It’s not every day gamers meet a character that escaped from death row condemnation. Rebecca’s co-star inResident Evil Zerofleshed out an exhilarating tale of an innocent man charged with heinous crimes, making for a fun escape partner from the clutches ofSpencer Mansion. Still, he pales in comparison toREmainstays.
Sheva Alomar: One of the characters perceived to lack depth in theResident Evilfranchise, Sheva was a point of criticism inResident Evil 5. She hasn’t featured in any form since her debut, and it is unclear if this status will change in the future.
Rosemary Winters: Carrying the torch for the Winters family inRE Village’s Shadows of Rose expansion, Rosemary marked a return to the traditional gun-wieldingResident Evilelements. However, her limited combat capabilities hold her back compared to the elite protagonists in the franchise.
