Resident Evil 3 Remake review: Perfectly recaptures the very essence of the originals - with a modern twist

Resident Evil is one of the longest-running and most popular game franchises of all time, and there is no sign of the survival horror train letting up, nearly 25 years on.

After the success of the Resident Evil 2 remake, Capcom has now delivered us to more evil by doing a job on Resident Evil 3 by launching a Resident Evil 3 remake complete with Resistance - a team-based online multiplayer mode for PS4, Xbox One and Windows.

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For those who can’t remember back to the halcyon days of 1999, the game follows Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira as they attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse while hunted by the intelligent bioweapon, Nemesis.

Meanwhile, Resistance puts a team of four players up against a 'mastermind' who can create traps, enemies, and other hazards.

Sweet but short for single players

Let’s kick things off by saying I only started playing the single-player mode last weekend. The fact I am sat here a few days later writing this having completed the brief, six hour long single-player campaign is a definite black mark. It is just too short. But, those six hours are nostalgic, memorable and thrilling in a way only Resident Evil games can be.

There is plenty good about the RE3 remake. Aesthetically, it is gorgeous, in that typically dark, gloomy, macabre kind of way that is so synonymous with the franchise.

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The atmosphere and tension is peak Resident Evil, and a real treat for fanboys who remember being scared out of their wits back in the '90s.

Raccoon City looks better - and less inviting (in a twisted, good way) - than ever.

Set-pieces spoil the flow

Jill and Carlos are excellent as the main characters and share equal importance and grandstand moments throughout.

RE games are the foundation of the survival horror genre. And Capcom still do that best with those elements proving the most satisfying and horrifying of the game.

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One thing I personally cannot abide in video games is action set-pieces. It often spoiled my enjoyment of the Uncharted games, and here it has the tendency to ruin the experience somewhat, particularly when it comes to boss battles.

Nemesis is one of the best villains in the long-running series. But, here, the key evil protagonist is consigned to set-pieces that do not do justice to its importance to the action.

Recaptures the essence of the original

In Resistance, there is real scope for the future. There are some clever ideas at play but in its current state it is a bit too cumbersome and bland. There is genuine promise here, though, and I’d love to see it expanded and developed on the next generation of consoles coming our way later this year.

Overall, like the Resident Evil 2 remake before it, RE3’s 2020 rendition perfectly recaptures the very essence of the originals, while simultaneously updating its gameplay mechanics and looks for the better.

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This is not just a graphical upgrade and gimmicky tweak, it’s a proper fit-for-purpose remake and a treat for all RE fanboys and newcomers alike.

I just wish it had been a bit longer and Nemesis had played a more significant role.

I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s next.

Rating: 8.5/10

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