The franchise hasn't been afraid to shake things up over the years, and a rumor about the next new game in the series points to another franchise first on its way. Although every game is interconnected by unifying elements involving deadly viruses, various forms of the ruthless Umbrella corporation, and plenty of horrific enemies, there's a lot of room to do different things within that overarching lore. It's easy to jump into any mainline game and get a complete experience of its own, and the unique flavor provided by each can satisfy many different preferences.