Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Overview
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game is a cooperative survival horror game for 1-4 players by Steamforged Games. Players take on the roles of iconic characters from the Resident Evil 2 video game, venturing into the zombie-infested streets and buildings of Raccoon City. The game is scenario-based, with each scenario following chronologically from the previous one to maintain narrative continuity. Players must work together to survive, manage limited resources, and escape the nightmare. If even one player dies, it is game over for everyone.
Components
- Character miniatures (Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, Robert Kendo)
- Zombie and enemy miniatures (zombies, lickers, dogs, bosses)
- Modular game tiles (building interiors, streets)
- Character dashboards
- Item cards (weapons, ammunition, healing items)
- Tension deck (event cards)
- Dice (for combat resolution)
- Health trackers
- Door tokens
- Ammunition tokens
- Scenario booklet
Setup
- Select the scenario to play and follow its setup instructions.
- Assemble the game tiles as indicated by the scenario map.
- Each player selects a character and takes their miniature and dashboard.
- Distribute starting items as specified by the scenario.
- Shuffle the Tension deck.
- Place enemy miniatures as indicated by the scenario.
- Place door tokens, item tokens, and objective markers.
Turn Structure
Each round consists of player turns followed by an enemy phase:
- Player Turns: Each player takes a turn consisting of up to 4 actions.
- Enemy Phase: After all players have acted:
- Enemies activate in order (move toward players, attack if in range).
- Draw from the Tension deck for additional events, spawns, or effects.
Actions
Each player may take up to 4 actions per turn, choosing from:
| Action |
Description |
| Move |
Move to an adjacent tile/space |
| Attack |
Use a weapon to attack an enemy in range |
| Search |
Search the current room for items |
| Use Item |
Use a healing item, key, or special item |
| Open Door |
Open a door to reveal a new room |
| Push |
Shove an enemy to create distance |
| Trade |
Exchange items with an adjacent player |
Scoring / Victory Conditions
- Win: Complete the scenario’s objective (escape the area, defeat a boss, retrieve an item, etc.). Each scenario has specific victory conditions.
- Lose: Any player character dies (health reduced to zero), OR a specific scenario failure condition is met.
- Campaign: Scenarios are played sequentially. Progress carries over between scenarios.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
- Ammunition Management: Ammunition is extremely limited. Each attack uses ammo, and running out means you cannot use firearms.
- Tension Deck: This deck introduces random events, enemy spawns, and environmental hazards. It creates constant pressure and unpredictability.
- Line of Sight: Ranged attacks require line of sight to the target. Walls and doors block sight.
- Noise: Certain actions (gunfire, breaking doors) generate noise that may attract enemies from adjacent rooms.
- Typewriter Save Points: Between scenarios, players may save progress at typewriter points (thematic save mechanic).
- Boss Encounters: Boss enemies have unique rules, special abilities, and much higher health than standard zombies.
- Healing: Healing items are scarce. Players must decide when to use them for maximum effect.
- Cooperative Requirement: All players must survive. One death = total party failure.
Player Reference
Turn: Up to 4 actions (Move, Attack, Search, Use Item, Open Door, Push, Trade)
Enemy Phase: Enemies move and attack -> Draw Tension card
Key Rule: Ammo is limited; conserve resources
Win: Complete scenario objective (all must survive)
Lose: Any character dies = game over