Last year,Capcomblew away everybody’s expectations with theResident Evil 2remake. In2020, they are trying to recapture the same magic with a reimagining ofResident Evil 3. How does it stack up against its predecessor? By most accounts, it is a wholly satisfying experience but doesn’t innovate or surprise in the same way Leon and Claire’s nightmare did.
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The developers made some key changes to the gameplay and design to help better fit in withJill’smore linear adventure through Raccoon City. While it runs on the same engine and has a similar aesthetic, the ten differences listed below make it a whole different beast.
10Mr. X Vs. Nemesis
Mr. X was one of the best parts of last year’s title. During certain parts of the campaign, he would mercilessly hunt down the player, chasing them through the entire police station. Damage impeded him, but he would not give up the chase until the player progressed to a certain part in the story. Solving puzzles while looking behind one’s shoulder was unlike anything the series presented before. Nemesis, on the other hand, relegates his presence to more cinematic sequences andboss fights. Only for a few brief segments does he dynamically chase the player around the map like Mr. X does. Some were disappointed at what feels like a step back for the titular creature when compared to last year’s game, but it makes sense considering the campaign’s more linear nature.
9Only One Campaign
Resident Evil 2doubled its replay value by having two playable characters. While their respective journeys were not as unique as some fans would have liked, they differed enough to warrant a second playthrough.Resident Evil 3includes no such feature.
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With that being said, Capcom still offers plenty of incentive to play the game several times over. Different things are unlocked for beating the game multiple times and with different ranks, and higher difficulties that test even the most skilled player’s mettle.
8Dismemberment
Dismemberment takes a mysterious downgrade in this entry. Instead of limbs slowly and grossly detaching from a zombie’s body when shot enough times, they simply explode into a mist of blood. It is understandable, considering the game’s larger scale, but one cannot help but notice. The game is still absolutely gorgeous, however, and shooting zombies is thrilling as they recoil and stumble based on where the bullets land.
7More Action-Focused
Last year’s game was the perfect blend of classicResident Evilgameplay and the more modern style pioneered byResident Evil 4. Aiming was refined and one could move freely while shooting, but they still had to count their bullets. The recent release veers more towards action as it takes Jill through thrilling set-pieces and big explosions. Additionally, ammo is more plentiful, especially on the easier difficulty modes. “Hardcore” mode puts some of the resource management back into the equation, and the additional difficulties unlocked after beating the game make ammo conservation even more of a priority for veteran fans looking for a more punishing experience.
6Shorter
Resident Evilgames are rarely lengthy. Without the two different protagonists,Resident Evil 3runs significantly shorter than last year’s game. WhereResident Evil 2takes between six to eight hours to complete, the new title takes between four and six. The lack of puzzles means less time stuck figuring out what to do, so the shorter length makes sense.
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A trophy (or achievement, depending on the console) tasks players with beating the game in less than two hours, though speedrunners will surely beat this time with plenty of minutes to spare.
5Easier
Giving the player enough resources to take care of most threats makes the campaign significantly easier thanResident Evil 2. Many areas are also more open, making dodging and avoiding zombies less challenging. Of course, those wanting a real challenge can always ramp up the difficulty. In fact, veteran players are more likely to have a satisfying initial play through if they choose the “Hardcore” difficulty mode from the start. For experiencedResident Evilfans, “standard” too strongly holds the player’s hand.
4Dodge
Resident Evil 2lacked the dodge button from some prior entries, but the recent game brought it back. If one can time it right, Jill will expertly duck out of the way and can even line up a slow-motion shot against the attacker. Nemesis is faster and more agile than the protagonist, so timing this mechanic perfectly is essential to getting out of scraps with the brutal monster unharmed. The window is surprisingly small, so it takes some time to get the handle of it.
3Less Faithful To Its Source Material
Resident Evil 3takes significantly more liberties with its source material thanResident Evil 2does. Leon and Claire’s journey the RCPD is more iconic than Jill’s escape from Raccoon City, so players would have been more disappointed if their favorite scenes were missing from the remake.
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The new game, however, significantly mixes up events from the originalPlayStationgame, and even leaves some things out entirely. Perhaps they felt more comfortable making bigger changes to the story becauseResident Evil 3: Nemesisis probably the least beloved of the original trilogy.
2Easier Puzzles
It would not be aResident Evilgame without puzzles, but the ones featured in the new title are hardly head-scratchers. They rarely grow more complex than scouring the environment for a key or battery in order to open a door. It is not a complaint, though veteran fans may find it underwhelming.Resident Evil 2is all about slowly unlocking more rooms and areas by finding keys and solving environmental puzzles, whileResident Evil 3simplifies this by getting a key to open a door and move forward into the next environment.
1Resistance
For the first time in a while, a mainlineResident Eviltitle featuresmultiplayer. InResistance,four players attempt to flee an area while one player controls the environment, trying to prevent their escape by setting up traps and unleashing zombies upon them. It is a unique take on multiplayer, but it is hard to tell if it will have legs. Oddly enough, the game feels wholly separate fromResident Evil 3, having its own separate launcher on the console’s menu.
