RESIDENT EVIL 3
We no longer live in a Carlos-less world, but is that a good thing?
If you’re expecting to relive Jill’s story, this game has more than Nemesis to surprise you.
“GIVEN THE AGGRESSION OF THE ENEMIES, THIS IS MORE ACTIONTHAN SURVIVALHORROR.”
Jill Valentine’s room is a mess, but it’s a clutter that teases you to explore further. Whether it’s following the string-tagged clues across a busy research board or simply seeing what our girl keeps in her fridge, this is a slow opening aimed squarely at fans. And just as we’re getting comfortable rummaging through Jill’s business, the wall explodes and Nemesis strides in…
It’s an opening that puts us on the back foot and sets up a chase through Raccoon City. Almost everything you do in Resident Evil 3 happens under the shadow of Nemesis. Though it turns up at key beats in the story, evolving with each fight, once this creature is let loose he’ll always be there, chasing Jill from room to room.
Likewise standard zombies and other creatures will also chase you anywhere, and there’s something incredibly unnerving about hearing a door being beaten, you edging closer, and it snapping open as three undead tumble out.
Given the aggression of the enemies in Resident Evil 3 it’s not surprising to find this remake is more action- than survival-horror. The simplicity of the setup – escape the city, avoid Nemesis – means there are far fewer puzzles in this sequel than there were in last year’s Resident Evil 2 remake, and indeed the original Resident Evil 3 from 1999.
FAN DISSERVICE?
Fans may need to hold their Nemesis plush tight, as we reveal there’s a lot missing from this remake. The park stage is gone, the wormy Grave Digger is out, the gothic Clock Tower level is reduced to a boss battle, and the multiple choices and endings have been dropped. Numerous classic puzzles have been left behind, and one that remains is optional, included for nostalgia and to offer some handy gun upgrades.
There was a clear vision for the remake of Resident Evil 3, and to fulfil it Capcom has had to shed a lot. The result is a thrilling action game, perfectly paced and executed with some genuinely anxious moments and, in its final crawl, a ridiculously over-the-top boss fight that draws on one of the 1980s’ biggest monster movies to deliver its shots.
In many ways this game is a love letter to some of the greatest action horror movies of that decade. At times playing it feels like The Terminator directed by John Carpenter. It isn’t afraid to wear its influences with pride. Playable sidekick Carlos Oliveira is walking, talking Rambo hair with the delivery of Speed-era Keanu Reeves. “There you are, dickface!” he exclaims while you unload your machine gun into a Licker.
The jettisoned content is forgivable for a game that knows what it is, and delivers. Gunplay feels solid and is always fun, particularly as zombies shudder and stagger alarmingly with each bullet strike (though gore has been reduced since Resident Evil 2). With plenty of gun upgrades to seek out there’s enough reason to dally with danger and take on the challenge of dodging Nemesis’ pursuit – manage to temporarily take down the hulking beast and it’ll drop an Umbrella crate, usually holding a must-have weapon part.
There’s real skill to manoeuvring past the horde, too. The dodge introduced in the original game has been tweaked; now a timed tap of u will open up a chance to deliver focused shots, if playing as Jill. In Carlos’ military boots defence turns to offence and he can one-punch a zombie to the ground. Get the timing wrong and you’ll stall for a split second, long enough to have your throat chewed on.
GUN DAMN
While the omissions keep coming (no Raccoon Press) what this remake does do is channel the spirit of the original. Resident Evil 3 may not be a one-for-one remake but it is a tonal reimagining that manages to capture the fear and anxiety that comes from having Nemesis breathing down your neck.
There are new sequences and locations in here too. Carlos’ missions, particularly in the expanded hospital stage, are moments to release that tension. Nothing calms the nerves like blowing holes into the shuffling undead.
It goes without saying that the game looks stunning.
With each tug-of-war with Nemesis, the spaces around Jill evolve. Watching Raccoon City slowly descend into fiery chaos always surprises, and in one memorable moment a famous landmark will try to kill you.
The slavish attention to detail ensures that even on your third run through the story there’s something new to see or seek out, including collecting Charlie Dolls and meeting various skill challenges to unlock items to carry into
“WHILE THE OMISSIONS KEEP COMING, THIS DOES CHANNEL THE SPIRIT OF THE ORIGINAL.”
future replays. These include coins holding unique buffs, such as improved defence, and one that slowly refills health. Retro costumes, weapons, and gear also add to the pot.
Is it enough? Oddly, yes. With a harder difficulty to unlock to maintain the challenge, Resident Evil 3 tugs at that gamer in all of us who just wants to perfect the systems on offer. Even when we finish a run in under four hours it results in a welcome sense of accomplishment, not disappointment at the brevity of this remake’s playtime.
UNDEAD FRIENDLY
Clearly Capcom is aware the short but bitter-sweet story mode isn’t enough for everyone, so we get gamewithin-a-game Resident Evil Resistance. This asymmetrical online multiplayer pits you and three friends against one Mastermind. You need to escape various locked rooms, fend off zombie invasions, and solve simple puzzles while a fifth player plots from the shadows in light RTS fashion to drop in traps and zombies.
Designed for online play but playable in Practice mode for solo runs, there’s a peculiar mix of co-operation and devilish aggression that makes Resistance work.
Has lightning struck twice? Just. Last year’s Resident Evil 2 remake effectively repackaged every puzzle, level, and enemy from the original. This sequel feels like its namesake on steroids, if not being a beatfor-beat rerun. The addition of Resistance helps massage any doubts this package lacks staying power.
VERDICT
Fans need to brace for some disappointment, but that shouldn’t distract from a game that delivers a modern and tonally on-point reworking of Resident Evil 3. Ian Dean