After completing the game on every difficulty, earning every achievement, and finishing Inferno with an S Rank, I can confidently say that Resident Evil 3 Remake is a very good game that suffers more from expectations than from its actual quality.
Coming directly from Resident Evil 2 Remake, the first thing I noticed was how much more linear this game is. RE2 feels like a giant interconnected puzzle box where exploration, route planning, and resource management are constantly rewarded. RE3 is much more focused on momentum, action, and pushing the player forward.
This difference explains a lot of the criticism the game received.
After learning more about the original Resident Evil 3, I understand why longtime fans were disappointed. Entire areas such as the Clock Tower and the Park were removed, which likely contributed to the shorter length and more linear structure. However, since I never played the original, I judged this remake on its own merits rather than comparing it to a game I had never experienced.
And on its own merits, it's a lot of fun.
Jill is fantastic to play. The dodge mechanic adds a layer of skill expression that rewards timing and practice, especially on higher difficulties. Inferno difficulty in particular transforms the game into a genuine challenge and gives the combat system a chance to shine.
Nemesis is also a great antagonist, although I personally preferred Mr. X from Resident Evil 2 Remake. Mr. X created constant strategic pressure while allowing more exploration. Nemesis is more aggressive and action-oriented, but combined with the game's linear design, he often pushes the pace forward instead of creating long-term tension.
Carlos was another pleasant surprise. I enjoyed his sections, even if they felt a little short. His personality and gameplay helped break up the campaign nicely.
My biggest criticism is simply that I wanted more of the game. Not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I was. The campaign feels shorter than it should have been, and a few additional explorable areas would have elevated the experience significantly.
Even so, the gameplay is excellent, the pacing is fast, Jill is one of the most enjoyable protagonists in the series, and the replay value remains strong thanks to the higher difficulties, rankings, and challenge runs.
RE3 Remake: 8/10
A shorter and more action-focused Resident Evil that may not satisfy everyone, but one that is incredibly fun when judged for what it is rather than for what it could have been.
