Resident Evil 3

I came into Resident Evil 3 right off the back of the RE2 remake, which set an almost unreasonable bar. That context matters, because almost every complaint lodged at RE3 makes more sense when you frame it that way. Strip the comparison away and what you have is a confident, well-produced third-person shooter built on Capcom's RE Engine, starring Jill Valentine and a version of Nemesis who is more event than predator. That last part is where things get complicated. The core loop is resource-scavenging and combat, leaning noticeably more into action than the moody, labyrinthine RE2. You play mostly as Jill, with short segments handing control to Carlos Oliveira, whose section through the hospital is widely considered the closest the game gets to RE2's tension. Jill has a dedicated dodge button that, when timed well, triggers a slow-motion counter window and lets you snap a shot at an enemy's head automatically. It is satisfying when it clicks. Critics noted the timing window is inconsistent, and coming from someone who cares about frame-tight mechanics, that inconsistency is real and occasionally frustrating. The knife is indestructible here, unlike RE2, which is a small but appreciated quality-of-life improvement. Ammo is crafted from gunpowder pickups, so inventory decisions stay meaningful even as the pacing pushes you forward faster than you might expect. The movement feels snappier than RE2, more action-game than survival-horror, and the open Raccoon City streets in the early hours have genuine atmosphere that the RE Engine renders beautifully. The elephant in the room is length and scope. First playthroughs clock in anywhere from five to eight hours depending on how much you explore, and the replayability outside of unlocking harder difficulty modes and shooting collectible Charlie Dolls is thin. The original RE3 had a clock tower, a park, a graveyard, and branching "live selection" moments with real stakes. The remake removes most of those locations entirely, reduces Nemesis from an emergent constant threat to a series of scripted boss arenas, and strips the Mercenaries mode that long-time fans expected. What you get instead is Resident Evil: Resistance, a bundled asymmetrical multiplayer mode that even enthusiastic players described as poorly balanced with bad matchmaking. Do not buy RE3 for Resistance. Nobody stuck with it. On the positive ledger: Jill and Carlos are genuinely likable characters, the writing is sharper than the series average, and the visual presentation holds up well. The hospital section carries real tension. Boss encounters with Nemesis, while scripted, are spectacular on a first run. If you have never touched the original 1999 game, the comparison grief simply does not apply, and you will likely have a good time in a focused, well-paced campaign. PC performance on the RE Engine is solid. Mouse and keyboard control is comfortable, accuracy feels responsive, and the game runs cleanly at high framerates without fuss. The honest recommendation depends almost entirely on price. At a deep discount, RE3 is an easy yes for anyone who played RE2 and wants more of that engine and world. At close to full price, the length-to-cost ratio is genuinely hard to defend. If you are newer to the series, start with RE2; then circle back to RE3 when the deal is right.

Fred · Scout Team

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