Resident Evil 6 is 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.
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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 to Resident Evil 6's. Given the success of Resident Evil 7 and the two recent remakes, the series is not likely returning to this more action-forward direction anytime soon.
10 Shadows Of The Damned
Produced by Shinji Mikami and partly written by Suda51, Shadows of the Damned showcases these two's creative talents at every corner. The over-the-shoulder camera screams Resident Evil 4, while the writing and plot are just the type of ridiculousness one would expect from the creator of The Silver Case and No More Heroes. While the two aforementioned game designers were disappointed with their work, reviews were mostly kind.
9 Resident Evil 5
Before Resident Evil 6, the fifth mainline entry in the franchise took Resident Evil 4's gameplay innovations and blew them up while letting players bring a friend along for the ride.
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Resident Evil 5 strays 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.
8 Dead Island
Before venturing into survival horror RPGs, Techland was best known for the Call of Juarez series. Dead Island took several cues from Borderlands and 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.
7 Lollipop Chainsaw
Lollipop Chainsaw did not receive the greatest reviews upon release, but neither did Resident 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.
6 Dante's Inferno
When Dante's Inferno was 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 of Dead Space, did okay with the property. Dante's Inferno takes many cues from God of War, and manages a decent interpretation of the formula. Despite a sequel hook, a continuation will likely never come to fruition.
5 Dead Space 3
Much like Resident Evil, the Dead Space series 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 of Dead Space and its sequel. Still, it is still worth visiting if you want action-packed horror. The upcoming The Callisto Protocol feels like it might bring back Dead Space's iconic space horror.
4 Left 4 Dead
Perhaps one of the most beloved games on this list, Left 4 Dead grabbed the world by storm on the Xbox 360 and PC. Valve is known for some of the greatest first-person shooters of all time, and Left 4 Dead stands toe to toe with Half-Life and Portal.
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Fans have been clamoring for a third entry in the series for years. Turtle Rock Studios currently is working hard on Back 4 Blood, a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead.
3 Dying Light
Dead Island 2 is currently in development, but Techland is not developing it. After the first Dead Island, the team moved on to Dying Light. It is similar to Dead Island in 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 2 seems to be stuck in a troublesome development.
2 Doom 3
The first two Doom games are revolutionary first-person shooters. Doom 3 came 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 polarized Doom fans, but it certainly has its audience. The reboot from 2016 brought the series back to its roots.
1 The Evil Within 2
Resident Evil 6 took Resident Evil 4's gameplay in a certain direction, while The Evil Within went the complete opposite route. The Evil Within 2 especially feels like the next evolution of the action survival horror gameplay Resident Evil 4 pioneered. 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. With GhostWire: Tokyo as Tango Gameworks' next project, it does not look like we'll see a third game in the series anytime soon.
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