There is arguably no gaming horror franchise as iconic as the Resident Evil series. Since the launch of the first game on PS1 in 1996, the Resident Evil series has spawned several titles that have taken on different tones and gameplay styles that pleased various fans.
Capcom remade Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 for modern gaming systems, allowing a new generation of gamers to enjoy two classic titles. Although the remake of Resident Evil 2 received near-universal praise for its beautiful reconstruction of Raccoon City Police Department, Resident Evil 3's remake received a slightly more lukewarm reception. Many claimed that the remake failed to stay faithful to the original, while others complained that the game was far too short. Despite these criticisms, there is plenty to praise Resident Evil 3 for. It brought plenty of gameplay improvements to its predecessor that perhaps make it the more replayable of the two titles.
Introducing the Dodge Mechanic
Despite the popularity of Resident Evil, zombies are far from a rarity in the world of gaming. Countless games feature endless permutations of the undead. Resident Evil's zombies are mostly slow-paced, brainless enemies that have the singular goal of feasting on human innards. The first three games in the series build a feeling of fear and dread by putting players in a claustrophobic environment, leaving them outnumbered, and giving them a limited amount of ammunition to work with. Although it is easy to outrun zombies, it is also easy for players to find themselves surrounded and with no ammo.
This style of gameplay is well implemented in Resident Evil 2's remake. However, it does have the effect of making characters feel very stiff. There are several moments in the game where controlling Claire or Leon feels more like controlling a plank of wood. This is especially jarring when you compare Resident Evil 2 to lots of other modern games, where playable characters tend to be flexible and have lots of mobility.
Resident Evil 3's remake addresses this problem through the addition of the dodge mechanic. When Jill is cornered by a zombie, she can quickly dodge out of the way. Through this mechanic, the game's nightmarish tone is kept, but movement does not feel stiff and restrictive any longer. Switching back from the two games reveals what a drastically useful change the dodge mechanic is. After spending an extending period with Resident Evil 3, returning to Resident Evil 2 makes the game's movement feel dated.
Resident Evil 3's Nemesis - A Foe Worth Fighting
One of the most applauded aspects of Resident Evil 2's remake is Mr. X. As players explore Raccoon City Police Department and execute zombies, they eventually come across a seemingly invincible enemy called Mr. X. He is a Tyrant created by Umbrella Corporation: He stalks the player, and his heavy footsteps echo on the wooden floors. Knowing that he is lurking and could be right around the corner is a terrifying experience, and his presence effectively ups the tension.
However, after the first playthrough of the game, flaws with Mr. X become evident. He is almost entirely avoidable once one understands how he works. Mr. X can hear the player's footsteps, so as long as the player does not run around the police department, Mr. X cannot hear their location. Eventually, Mr. X turns from a scary presence to a mere nuisance. The more one plays Resident Evil 2, the easier it becomes to avoid Mr. X.
Resident Evil 3's main enemy is Nemesis, a foe armed with some heavy artillery. It does not matter whether players tiptoe or run, once Nemesis is locked on a target, he does not let up. While some gamers criticized how scripted the encounters with Nemesis are, there are some benefits to knowing that there are certain points where players will have a guaranteed action-packed encounter they cannot run away from. Nemesis's wide array of weapons and moves makes him a great enemy to engage with during replays of Resident Evil 3. While Mr. X provides a nice slow-burning fear, Nemesis's moments of boundless chaos end up being the most memorable.
Resident Evil 3's 2020 remake is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.