I haven't played RE games either, but I have seen all the films. When I saw that big multicolored caterpillar in the first episode of this series, it basically ruined a lot of oomph I had in me in regards to what I expected from the whole show. As the series progressed, I came to understand that it's RE for a different generation; I think what we had with first films in the franchise on the turn of the century was far more exciting, innovative, thrilling and suspenseful. The events in the series got closer to that level only in the episode 7, I think where the girls discover what's in the dad's basement.
The acting isn't bad indeed, but so many times I felt like the characters were a bit too shallow for my liking.