When Does Resident Evil 4 Take Place?

The story of Resident Evil has progressed significantly over the years, starting with the first Resident Evil in 1996 to Resident Evil: Village in 2021.

However, Capcom started remaking its earlier titles along the way, starting with Resident Evil 2, moving on to 3, and now coming to 4. It could be difficult to sort out how the sequels overlay with the remakes chronologically.

So let’s break down when Resident Evil 4 takes place.

What Year Does Resident Evil 4 Take Place?

Even though not explicitly mentioned, Resident Evil 4 takes place in 2004, six years after the Raccoon City incident in 1998. Although Leon was a relatively junior officer back then, over the six years since, he has matured into a stronger individual who works on secret operations directly under the government.

More N4G Unlocked: How Many Chapters Is Resident Evil 4 Remake?

What Was The Raccoon City Incident?

The Raccoon City Incident was captured in the two prequels to Resident Evil 4: Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. The first part was the outbreak of the T-Virus, a biological weapon created by the Umbrella Corporation, which assumed the outward appearance of a pharmaceutical company. The weapon was released into the city’s water supply, which mutated regular citizens into cannibalistic Zombies.

Leon is the main protagonist of this part, and although he starts off investigating the supernatural phenomenon, he quickly unravels Umbrella’s sinister plans and stops them before execution. Resident Evil 3 occurs shortly after Resident Evil 2, where Jill Valentine, the protagonist, finds herself in a zombie-infested Raccoon City and attempts to escape it.

However, as she escapes the city, the US government orders a nuclear missile to destroy Raccoon City to contain the virus. This incident is widely referenced in many Resident Evil games, including Resident Evil 4, due to the consequences of such a rash decision.