What's the best mainline Resident Evil game, (not including remakes) and why?

[Ashadelo]

This question is hard to answer, RE is one of those series that has many stellar games in it's lineup. But if I had to choose one, the original RE4 as I have played through that game probably more than any other game (except Diablo). However, the RE7, 2, 1, all follow closely behind.