Every encounter with the gigantic creature feels scripted in some fashion, either when he shows up, or the battle as a whole. X and the original’s Nemesis feels lost here. This could have worked out had the game leaned into its formerly titular foe, but the dynamic nature of both RE2’s Mr. The game is much shorter as well, and the lack of dual main characters makes it less replayable, though there are the usual difficulty settings and unlockable weapons/costumes. RE3 on the other hand just keeps you moving forward, only letting you explore areas a few times before moving on. RE2 was largely about exploring the police station at first, unlocking its myriad segments and expanding the map through your own progress via puzzles and story developments. In fact, Nemesis is worse in almost every regard, with a more scripted nature due to RE3 keeping the action moving, with new locations and areas to explore every hour or two. There’s just not much meat to the plot, and Nemesis doesn’t change that enough to warrant the same level of excitement as Mr. Overall it’s pretty by-the-book stuff for the genre, which is disappointing given how remarkable its predecessor was. This is also where the second character of Carlos comes in, though his segments are more run-and-gun action, and don’t feel impactful in any significant way.
This includes the gruff team of soldiers that help her escape, or hinder her progress as the story requires. Nemesis himself is the only major shake up really, with everything else boiling down to a pretty standard RE or action-adventure story. You pick up with Jill Valentine, the “Master of Unlocking” herself, and follow her escape from Raccoon City. The story itself is fine, but features few memorable moments or monumental plot developments. Perhaps Resident Evil 3 never could live up to the high mark set by Resident Evil 2. You can still feel the influence of this today, with the Resident Evil 3 remake feeling like a lesser followup to the magnificent RE2 Remake from last year.
Originally planned as a side adventure which utilized a lot of content from its original predecessor, other considerations caused it to be a main series entry. The behind-the-scenes story of how Resident Evil 3 was made is actually somewhat more intriguing than the game’s plot.
But who can she trust? And could there be more going on here than even she originally thought? While she tries to escape the zombie infested city she’ll find allies and enemies all along the way. But more than that, she has to deal with Nemesis, a genetically engineered behemoth whose sole purpose is her own elimination. Resident Evil 3 is somewhat of an odd sequel, taking place both before and after RE2, with Jill Valentine experiencing the T-virus spread through Raccoon City, and its eventual downfall to the zombie horde.
Feturing the same amazing engine and lovingly crafted gameplay, the problems inherent in that first title may have trickled through to this 2020 remake a bit more than last year’s entry. And now Capcom is back with Resident Evil 3, remaking the 1999 PS1 title for the modern age. The culmination of this was Resident Evil 2 Remake, which released last year to massive acclaim, including winning our Game of the Year award. Capcom has spent the last few years revitalizing the Resident Evil franchise, merging its two distinct styles while also returning to the roots of what made the series so beloved in the first place.