‘Resident Evil 3’ Remake Game Review: Not a Size-Queen but Give Me Something for the Price Tag!

So, the much-anticipated Resident Evil 3 remake was released on April 3, 2020, and it’s… well, it’s definitely a game for you to play. It has some very enjoyable moments, but when it really comes down to it, fans can argue that the Resident Evil 3 remake is nothing more than a glorified DLC for 2019’s Resident Evil 2 remake.

I think the fact that Capcom decided to include the multiplayer Resident Evil Resistance with the RE 3 remake should have been enough of a clue for us. Major gaming corporations don’t like doing anything for free, and it’s clear that RE Resistance was added to (kind of) justify the current title’s approximately $60 price tag. 

Where the Resident Evil 2 remake (read my review here) gave you two major campaigns with Leon and Claire as well as a bunch of DLC missions, the RE 3 remake offered a single campaign that will take you around 5 to 6 hours to complete and then expect you to go play RE Resistance to feel happy about the $60 you spent.

I really hope Capcom decides to make the RE 3 remake available separately from RE Resistance for, let’s say $30 or around that price tag. And for those wondering, I’m not sure if I will be writing a review for RE Resistance because (as of now) I found it to be quite meh and a Dead by Daylight wannabe.

I have to say that the Resident Evil 3 remake (on my PC) looked stunning as I played it. So, I’ll give this title that. I liked Jill Valentine’s new character model. In my opinion, she could be related to a young Milla Jovovich. The new Jill’s rocking toned arms and her outfit’s functional. 

Having this game begin in the first-person view (from Jill’s perspective) really helped engross me in the horror-survival genre. I liked how the writers showed her dealing with PTSD after everything she had to go through in Resident Evil 1. It also made me remember the opinion I had about wanting Resident Evil 7 to feature an amnesiac Jill as the protagonist instead of Ethan whatever-his-last-name-is.

Anyway, the game didn’t take long to introduce Nemesis and I have to say his first appearance was very fun. Nemesis’s character design has improved a lot. He looked very menacing and rightfully a couple of feet taller than Jill.

Compared to the 1999 original, the remake, in my opinion, had a tighter narrative. The story seemed to flow a lot better. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Jill and Carlos as well as seeing Carlos slowly beginning to realize that he’s working for the bad guys. 

Raccoon City, as always, was fun to move through. However, I do think it gave players a bit more space compared to the original. Having more space kind of made dodging zombies and Nemesis easier, so I’m not sure if I was really a fan of such a change.

Here’s me trying out the demo!

Fans will likely enjoy most of the set pieces from the original being recreated with advanced technology. I said ‘most’ because the remake did decide not to include certain iconic areas from the original. The reworked electrical substation is a disgustingly fun area to explore. You also end up spending a lot of time in the hospital.

Also, the puzzles have been kept to a minimum. It’s as if Capcom decided to go more action-heavy (complete with a lot of actiony cutscenes). I can understand if certain fans aren’t too happy with such a change. Carlos’s part of the gameplay is incredibly action-oriented to the point where I had to roll my eyes at Capcom’s inability to learn.

We all know how relying on action over horror ruined the RE franchise. The company course-corrected with the RE 2 remake. That’s why seeing it likely getting back on the action-route was disappointing. Realizing Carlos had the ability to punch zombies and other mutated beings was a ‘no’ for me.

Coming to the gameplay, due to this title being more action-friendly than the previous installment, Jill’s knife is indestructible. Her quick-step move also lets you dodge enemies. I liked how perfectly dodging would trigger a slow-motion event, allowing Jill to take a critical shot at an enemy’s weak point.

Now, Carol’s slow-motion move led into him punching the enemy, which, again… no!

Other than that, this game offered your usual RE fare of beginning with weak weapons and finding upgrades and ammunition to make yourself powerful. The mechanic of combining gunpowder and chemicals made a welcome return.

Upon the game’s completion, you gained access to the in-game store where you are allowed to buy better weapons and even certain coins to give your character the ability to regenerate health or become more durable. 

Other Resident Evil 3 remake thoughts and gripes:

• Do you remember how in the original defeating Nemesis would reward you with some cool weapons and items? Yeah, don’t bother wasting your time and resources on taking down Nemesis in the remake. You won’t be getting infinite ammunition or a Healing Spray 3-pack this time around. It’s as if the remake wanted to punish players for deciding to defeat Nemesis by giving you some of the worst in-game rewards possible.
• The final boss fight with Nemesis is, in my opinion, the easiest. It’s as if poor Nemesis got tired of trying to kill Jill and just gave up during the finale.
• Yes, there are a number of Easter Eggs for you to notice throughout this game. It’s an RE entry. So, be prepared for some fun hints to other installments in the franchise. Some of the codes in the Police Station were the same as the ones in the RE 2 remake. So, that was a nice little touch.
• There’s only one canonical ending. While the original allowed you to choose between certain options during a number of events to change how the story played out, the remake is very linear.
• The opening cutscene featuring live-action footage took me by surprise. It brought me back to when I first played Resident Evil 1.
• Here’s to hoping a Resident Evil – Code: Veronica remake is next.

Have you been able to play the Resident Evil 3 remake yet? What did you think of it?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

Twitter

Help support independent journalism. Subscribe to our Patreon.

Copyright © The Geekiary