Resident Evil 3 – PS4 Review

Resident Evil 3 is, for newcomers, a prequel, taking place just before and during the events of Resident Evil 2. Players assume the role of Jill Valentine, the "Master of Unlocking," who must escape the fully-infected Raccoon City with the assistance of the last surviving members of Umbrella's mercenary squad, the UBCS, some of whom seem to know more than they reveal. On top of that, Jill is relentlessly pursued by a hulking, superpowered bioweapon with a singular focus on annihilating former STARS members.

In contrast to the Resident Evil 2 remake, which made only minor structural adjustments to the original game, Resident Evil 3 takes a more ambitious approach to reimagining the source material. The core elements remain consistent, but new character interactions are introduced, events are rearranged, entire sections are removed (farewell to the Clock Tower and Park), while others are substantially expanded (the Hospital and Sewers), or entirely novel (no spoilers here). Even sections that retain their original layout are far from being exact replicas – the narrow, claustrophobic streets of Raccoon City in the original RE3 are now more open and teeming with fresh sights and secrets, and your return to the Police Station takes a surprising twist as you assume the role of Carlos instead of Jill.

Despite these significant changes, Resident Evil 3 pays homage to its roots with nostalgic references. Memorable supporting characters, like the unfortunate individual who hides in the shipping container at the start of the PS1 game, make unexpected returns. Boss battles expand upon concepts from the original game, providing deeper, more intense encounters. And yes, Jill delivers her iconic "I'll give you STARS!" line, but this time you don't have to wait until the end of the story to hear it. The game also introduces intriguing new pieces of backstory related to Resident Evil 2 that dedicated fans will relish.

Ultimately, the new Resident Evil 3 shines brightest in its characterization. Jill was relatively undeveloped in the original game, and Carlos was somewhat irksome. The revamped opening sequence, which initially adopts a first-person perspective akin to Resident Evil 7, skillfully explains why Jill remains in Raccoon City (an aspect the PS1 game never clarified) and delves into her mental state. Understandably, Jill is grappling with her own demons and trust issues following the events of the first Resident Evil, leading to tense exchanges with Carlos. As the game unfolds, however, we witness her transformation into the resilient and fearless character we all know her to be. Carlos, on the other hand, evolves from a whiny sidekick to a capable and honorable protagonist in his own right. While he lays on the pickup lines a bit thick in the early stages, it wouldn't be Carlos without a touch of irritation, but by the end of the game, he undergoes a complete redemption. One could hardly complain if this version of Carlos were to reappear in Resident Evil 8 or another future installment. In sum, despite potential grievances about certain omissions, Capcom's alterations result in a more engaging and seamless Resident Evil 3.

Resident Evil 3's narrative overhaul is elevated by the breathtaking visuals powered by the RE Engine. The new Jill features one of the most intricately detailed and expressive character models in recent memory, while characters like Carlos, Nikolai, and the supporting cast also receive significant visual upgrades. The somewhat gloomy ambiance of the Resident Evil 2 remake has been replaced with a more diverse range of environments, with the brightly illuminated streets of Raccoon City standing out as particularly unique. Some might argue that Resident Evil 3 isn't as atmospheric as earlier entries in the series, but that's acceptable, given the game's different focus.

As previously mentioned, the original Resident Evil 3 leaned more toward action compared to its PS1 predecessors, and the remake embraces this aspect further. Thankfully, the game draws inspiration from Resident Evil 4 rather than venturing into the territory of Resident Evil 6. It offers plenty of thrills without entirely forsaking horror. While basic movement and gunplay are inherited from the RE2 remake, Jill and Carlos can now perform nimble dodges to avoid enemies. Perfectly timed dodges trigger a "perfect dodge," granting a few seconds of slow-motion, ideal for precise headshots. Mastering the perfect dodge can make RE3's zombies appear even less threatening than they already are.

However, the game features adversaries far more formidable than zombies. Nemesis borrows AI elements from the RE2 remake's "Mr. X" Tyrant but brings new tricks to the table, such as the ability to traverse various areas effortlessly, leap across considerable distances, and ensnare you with his tentacles. In essence, Nemesis is akin to an unsightly Spider-Man, though his abilities don't necessarily render him more challenging or intimidating than Mr. X. The originality of Mr. X in RE2's police station and the uncertainty of his appearances added to the tension. However, RE3 adopts a more linear approach. There's only one section of the game, early on in Raccoon City's streets, where Nemesis pursues you freely, providing that thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamic. In other encounters with this grotesque foe, you'll find scripted action scenes and boss battles. Don't misunderstand; these encounters remain enjoyable. The scripted sequences are gripping, and the boss battles are perhaps the best in any Resident Evil game. They are intense, even though they may not be particularly scary.

Nonetheless, Resident Evil 3 still offers its share of horrific moments. The Hospital stage, in particular, provoked audible screams on my part, and a segment in which Jill must navigate through a nest of parasites eager to implant their eggs in her is genuinely repulsive. Resident Evil 3 is possibly the best-paced entry in the series, on par with RE4, as it presents a balanced mix of scripted action sequences, traditional survival horror elements, character development, and epic boss encounters. I initially intended to savour my time with Resident Evil 3, but I ended up devouring the entire story over just two evenings.

However, this leads us to Resident Evil 3's most significant drawback – its brevity. Depending on the number of deaths, completing RE3 should take approximately 7 to 10 hours, with no branching paths or multiple endings, unlike the original game. There is no second quest to experience with another character, as seen in RE2. While there are various difficulty levels and unlockables, finishing the game once essentially covers all the content it has to offer. As for Resident Evil Resistance, the Left 4 Dead-style multiplayer mode included with your RE3 purchase, I will provide a comprehensive review later this week. For now, I can say that you should buy this game primarily for the single-player experience. Multiplayer is a minor bonus, at best. Fortunately, Resident Evil 3 remains a captivating experience even without the crutch of RE Resistance.

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