Game Review: Resident Evil 3 (Xbox One X)

Resident Evil 3 is a survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. It is a remake of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) and follows Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira as they attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse while hunted by the intelligent bioweapon Nemesis.

Unlike the original, which uses tank controls and fixed camera angles, the remake features third-person shooter gameplay similar to the 2019 Resident Evil 2 remake. It includes an online multiplayer mode, Resident Evil: Resistance, which puts a team of four players against a “mastermind” who can create traps, enemies, and other hazards.

Raccoon City is thrown into chaos by a zombie apocalypse caused by an outbreak of the T-Virus. S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine is attacked in her apartment by an intelligent bioweapon known as Nemesis, who attempts to kill her and all remaining members of S.T.A.R.S.

As Jill you must make your way through the decimated city and survive the monstrosities within.

Let me just start by stating that I wasn’t a huge fan of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999). My favourite Resident Evil game has always been 2. I must have played that game 1000 times, where as I may have played 3 a handful of times. For whatever reason, it never gripped me in the same way. I’m mentioning this because I may not be the best person to look to if you’re wondering how this compares to the original game. My memories of it are not the best.

For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed my time with this game. I loved the recent remake of Resident Evil 2. I mention that because if you enjoyed that game as much as I did then this is more of the same.

The gameplay is exactly the same which is in no way a negative. From start to finish, it’s great fun. The gunplay is super satisfying. Like 2, it makes the run of the mill zombie feel like a genuine threat. Even on standard difficulty you can die very easily. It forces you into some tight corridors which really ramp up the tension. You should fear zombies but there are even more gruesome creatures to worry about in Resident Evil 3.

That brings me onto what’s the strongest aspect of this game. Quite simply, it’s beautiful. Each environment is highly detailed. The character models all look amazing. Jill in particular is stunning due to the motion-capture that was used. The lighting effects are wonderful. The blood and gore is top-notch. The contrast between this and the original is unreal.

Nemesis is as formidable as ever. His appearances are definite highlights that will get your blood pumping. Still, it’s a shame that he only appears at scripted moments. Unfortunately, this means that he doesn’t generate the fear that Mr X does in Resident Evil 2.

That’s the first issue with this game but there are a few others as well.

Firstly, the length. The game is short, there’s no way to get around that. Still, I do recall the original being similar in length. Regardless, this is a £50 game and I finished it in less than 5 hours. I even really took my time. I felt engrossed in the world and didn’t want to miss a detail and that’s how I finished up. It’s a pretty faithful remake but Capcom should have taken this as an opportunity to expand on what came before. This can be done effectively. It seems to me that a certain multiplayer mode may have taken up some of their resources.

Something that stood out to me was the lack of puzzles. Like them or not, they are a staple of the franchise. In the past, they have helped pad out the experience. There is little opportunity to go beyond the corridors that the game sets out for you. It never lets you catch your breath and is lacking in terms of genuine scares.

Secondly, the story. As someone who’s familiar with Jill Valentine I’m aware of her backstory. However, a casual player that may have played the Resident Evil 2 remake and then this will feel very confused. Although, there are some neat Easter eggs for those that play 2 before this one.

I’m torn on my feelings towards the game. On one hand, I really enjoyed it. I consider myself to be a hardcore Resident Evil fan. I would have loved the game to be longer but at the same time, I’m really glad it exists at all. It’s just so good, I want more. There are plenty of possibilities for further playthroughs. Still, its shortcomings and limitations are glaring. Is that a fault of this game or just the original itself? That’s up to you to decide. Yes, it’s short. However, it’s never boring for a second. It’s a grotesquely beautiful, adrenaline filled thrill ride from start to finish.