Review of Resident Evil 3 Remake

I've played very few computer games in the past 15 years. I played some of Far Cry 3. Played both Left4Dead games (but they were just multiplayer games). And I also played some of the Resident Evil 2 remake. And that's about it, I think. I also over 20 years ago played the original Resident Evil and the remake of it, and the original Resident Evil 2 in its entirety. But I never played the original Resident Evil 3.

First thing to note is that this Resident Evil 3 Remake is extremely short. I think the median playthrough time on first attempt is slightly less than 6 hours. It took me over 12 hours though. Why did it take me over twice as long? Well, I didn't attempt to do it quickly at all and just had my characters walking unless running away from enemies. Also, as I said, I scarcely play any computer games. I remember when I played the first resident evil game (not the longer remake), that it took me 12 hours 45 mins. But that was in 1998 and was the first computer game I'd played since the early 1980's when I used to play space invaders and the like. But I digress...

So, it's very short, and it has no additional missions either.

Infuriatingly, control is sometimes wrestled away from you where it simply plays a pre-recorded sequence where you have no control over your character (I think people refer to them as "cut scenes"). Indeed, for the first 20 mins, it was more like watching a film than playing a computer game! Are most computer games like that now? If I wanted to watch a film I'd do precisely that! Moreover, sometimes, in the midst of these pre-recorded sequences it tells you to hold the stick in a certain direction, or press button A on the controller. I have no idea of the purpose of making people do this, it's just a pain and also means you can't go off to make yourself a coffee when the pre-recorded sequence starts.

Also, sometimes the character pulls out her (and his) radio, and then you can't run or interact with anything. This happens constantly and is a complete pain.


And the boss battles (I think that's what they're referred to). There's 4 of them! I think when I used to play computer games there was only the one boss battle right at the end of the game. Is it a problem that there's 4 boss battles? Yes, for one thing the boss -- Nemesis in this case -- is vastly disproportionately more difficult to defeat than any of the other enemies. So I was doing fine on the normal difficulty, until the 2nd Boss battle. I kept having to play that same damn boss battle over and over and over again. It was tedious! Although now I feel I've finally got the hang of it. 

I'd much prefer a game where there are no pre-recorded sequences and no boss battles. Then I might get into playing computer games again. 

And the controller. I'm using an xbox controller. It uses 2 sticks, which I think is now standard in game consoles? But I'm not used to it and I find it extraordinarily difficult to aim at zombies heads since they constantly sway side to side as they approach you.

Also, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to look behind me when my character is walking or running without changing the direction in which my character is moving. I presume other people just know how to do it as this won't be the first time they've used this type of controller. I've spent some considerable time trying to work this out and also by Googling and asking beneath youtube videos, but all to no avail. But I know it's possible since I've seen other people do it on youtube playing this game. So I'm at a considerable disadvantage when being chased by Nemesis. I need to be able to see behind me when running away so I know when he is about to unleash an attack!

OK, now for some more positive comments. It has a staggering 5 levels of difficulty, and more importantly, each of these levels is significantly different from each other. The first difficulty, the so-called "assisted" level, is extremely easy. Then there's the normal level, then hard, then nightmare, then inferno. The latter 2 levels of difficulty are different in that the zombies have a much greater reach, and the items are placed in different areas compared to the other 3 levels. I've played some of the nightmare level and it's absurdly difficult. You can, though, apply what are effectively cheats i.e you accumulate points for killing a certain number of enemies and can buy guns with infinite ammo etc. I've never previously used a cheat before in a computer game but I see no alternative if I want to get through the nightmare level (the video shows me playing a small part of the nightmare level, and also testing out my microphone).

Oh yes, and the graphics are gorgeous. And despite the fact I bought my computer 8 years ago back in 2012 (for £1400 minus monitor, so very expensive) the game runs fine.

In conclusion, despite all the detractions I've listed, I quite like this game. I just wish it were longer and had some mini-games at the end!



Edited to add:  I tried to submit this review to Amazon UK under the xbox1 version.  It was rejected.  I asked why.  The response states:

Hello, 

We encourage reviews, video and images on Amazon, both positive and negative. However, the video on your review titled "Many detractions, but worth playing" for "Resident Evil 3 (Xbox One)" doesn’t comply with our guidelines. 

Your video includes Guns and Firearms. We restrict videos with inappropriate content because audiences within our Community may be sensitive to that content.

Hmm . .this is surreal.   I fired 1 shot at a electricity box to momentarily electrocute the zombies.  I never shot at the zombies, and they didn't bite me. But, even if it had contained any violence, it's a resident evil game for heavens sake!