RESIDENT EVIL 3 / DEVELOPER & PUBLISHER: CAPCOM / PLATFORM: PC, PS4, XBOX ONE (REVIEWED) / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Hot off the heels of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful RE2: Remake, Capcom are pushing the boat out once again, in almost record time, to bring us the highly anticipated remake of the third game in the mainline Resident Evil series. Prior to its 2019 reveal announcement, Capcom had spent almost three years developing the game, mostly in conjunction with and alongside last year’s RE2, so the expectation is that it will be of a similar standard. Have Capcom set the benchmark too high? Will RE3 be another in Capcom’s long line of successes or is it as lifeless as the zombie hordes it features? Let’s stock up on green herbs and take a look, shall we?
RE3 eases us in to proceedings with a brief first person section, introducing the main character of Jill Valentine and filling us in on the plot. After a few chase sequences and cutscenes, we’re dropped right into the middle of Raccoon City and start the main meat and potatoes of the game. Anyone who played last year’s RE2 (and, to a lesser extent, the original series) will know what to expect here. Finding clues and keys, exploration, backtracking and item management are as ubiquitous as ever and comprise the majority of RE3’s gameplay. Much like last year’s title, tank controls and fixed camera angles are abandoned for modern twin stick controls, with the camera being controlled by the player. Graphics and animation are absolutely stunning once again, with the detail and gore shown in the zombies’ deaths being a particular highlight. Some of the lighting effects are absolutely stunning, adding a crazy amount of tension at certain points. Dancing shadows and flickering lights can often make you question just what is behind your shoulder, and illuminating a dark, zombie-infested room with a flashlight is one of the tensest things you will ever do in a videogame.
Presentation on the whole is pretty excellent, with a wonderfully immersive (and surprisingly varied) soundtrack, a highly talented cast of voice actors, extremely in-depth menu options and a generally fantastic attention to detail – this feels more like a labour of love than just another remake. Although this version of Raccoon City appears fresh and distinctive when compared to the original, it also manages to feel entirely authentic. We reckon one of Capcom’s most impressive achievements here (as well as in the RE2 remake) is that, whilst very much feeling like a current/modern game in every conceivable way, it still makes us feel like we’re being transported back to the late 90s and the golden age of survival horror. This is abundantly apparent in the amount of tension created throughout. Almost every battle or encounter is a tense, stress filled affair (particularly on the higher difficulties!) that can almost leave you breathless at times.
One of our few minor criticisms of RE3 almost comes as a result of being a victim of its own authenticity. The original RE2 was a slightly more engaging narrative – and marginally fuller gameplay – experience than the original RE3 and that is also the case here. In all honesty, that’s more of a commendation of RE2 than an indictment of RE3, but it should be noted that the campaign is relatively short (expect to get through it in around 6-8 hours on your first playthrough) with no side campaign. There is, however, tremendous replay value (we’re midway through our third run through here at the Starburst office!). Also, more good news is that included in the RE3 package is a full online multiplayer game called RE: Resistance (although it wasn’t active pre-release so we can’t give our verdict just yet).
Overall, another close to flawless survival horror experience from Capcom. Don’t wait. Get it now!
