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Overview
It was certain that Resident Evil 2 was a hit, and it was the best Resident Evil out there for a long time, but there is Nemesis. Not exactly my favorite (RE2 Dual Shock is my all time Survival favorite) this game passes nicely on my catalog and i replayed it for a while.

For the non-fans or clueless, Resident Evil series is a "Survival Horror", a genre created by Resident Evil, but if we check out, Alone in The Dark may be the creator. Shooting zombies and blasting monster is the deal of the game, combined with somewhat easy puzzles (totally out of place if you ask me) This game is known as Biohazard series on japan. And i think RE3 is known as Biohazard 3-Last Escape on japan.

The game only has one CD, instead of the Resident Evil 2 game that has 2 CDs. Also there is only one selectable character, a first for the series, but you can play different chars thru de game. Meaning, the game's life is a lot shorter than before.

First look, nothing has changed. The game still plays like a 3D characters on 2D backgrounds. Meaning no damn camera movement. The main engine of the game is still there, including the controversial controls and menu/inventory management. It looks more like an expansion from Resident 2 than a sequel, but the PSOne had it limits. You play Jill Valentine, back from Resident Evil, and help her escape the hell of Raccoon City.

Graphics 8/10
Pop the game in, and a small FMV intro plays. FMV quality is far improved from previous games (CG characters are back, RE1 featured live action film) but as a single CD game, video framerate was cut in half. As i said before, 3D characters and move-able objects are seen on nicely quality 2D pre-rendered backgrounds. Quality of the background matches or improves from RE2 game. This also means there is no camera work on the game, meaning there are some blind angles, zombies you won't see here and there, meaning the camera will grant you some zxombie bites and life loosing. This is also the "core" of horror games. You don't know who is arround the corner...

As 3D processor is less used, the 3D models are nice. Slightly improved from RE2, and a small jump from RE1, but new generation fans will find it a little ugly. Special effect such as sparks, explosions and fire are a little bit ugly if you ask me, but i couldn't ask more for the small PSOne processor.

A point I don't like about 3D gfx on 2D bgs, is that 3D stands out a lot more than 2D. Gameplay wise is nice, things a little sharper and ugly are interactive objects you use in order to advance the game, but could be a little better.

Nice graphics but not perfect. PSOne can do a little better.

Gameplay/Controls 8/10
As i wrote before, the game is mainly an action game with somewhat easy puzzles to solve to find your way thru the game. Seems simple doesn't it? Bullets are limited, remember that (If you play in hard mode that is) and exploring is the key. As you enter a new place, check out all the doors. The ones that has key locks, remember them, as they will lead you to the exit when you find the key, and USE THE MAP.

Save bullets i tell you again. Zombies do not re-spawn that much but you don't now what is behind a door, if it's a bigger one, and your big bullets are gone (Grenade Launchers, Magnum and Shotguns) then you are in trouble. Medicines are also rare, so DON'T GET HIT THAT MUCH! Medicines are in the form of Herbs and Spray Aids. Hebrs can be mixed to increase the effect, and Spray Aids grant 100% recovery but decreases your Rank, given at the end.

Action wise is a good shooter. But it doesn't limit to that. Some totally out of place puzzles are here. Like a clock with 12 jewels, 2 of them are missing, you must find the 2 jewels to open the door leading to the City Hall?????!!!! O_o. This adds another factor for the game, for better, not only being a shooter.

The inventory is limited to 8 spaces, later in the game 10. Get a lot of items, then get full, and you cannot take some items if you are full. Then comes the "Magical" Chest. In several Chests on the game, you put your extra items here. Chests are actually one big chest, and you will be using it... a lot...

New things added for the series is a totally weird Ammo Maker. Jill can makes Ammo for the weapons, with this Ammo stuff, using the Powder you find on the city. Again, somewhat out of place. You find less Ammo and more Powder, but you can "customize" the Ammo you want for the weapons you like the most. Again you can mix the Powder you find (There are 2 types) to get different Ammo. The in game Manual explains it more detailed.

Another thing is the Live Events. These Live events happen in some kew locations, giving you 2 choices (Actually 3) that slightly alter your course in the game. Choose one of the two, or don't choose anything, and you get up to 3 paths, changing some key items locations. Cool for replay value but the Paths aren't really that different. As Key locations change, some puzzles actually has several possible answers. Cool.

And in the end, The Nemesis. "New" you ask? well not exactly. On previous RE games the big monster was Tyrant, chasing you in several rooms. This time the mosnter is from the early beginning, chasing you like a Pest. You must flee first, but eventually confront him.

Takes some time to get used to, but after you get used, it is better, but i don't agree with Capcom than an Action game should be played like this. You move in the 3D-2D enviroment, as there is no Camera work, the controls are standarized posicional wise. Meaning, if you press up, the character moves forward, press down, the character moves SLOWLY backwards. Right and Left are for turning very SLOWLY. To shoot the gun or use the weapon you must press R1 to aim, then X to fire. X Button is also used as Action button. In previous games, when you were surrounded, turning the character was like turning a 16 wheeler. Now controls are a little better. A quick turn action was added (press down and Square) and a few others, like pushing enemies (Press quickly the buttons when surrounded) and a quick dodge (Press quickly the buttons when you are attacked) add greater dynamics to the controls.

But other things, like running are a thing i don't understand. Capcom, the Dual Shock was invented when RE3 came out. To run, press Square and move. 99% of the time you will be running, so why is this setting here? Dino Crisis 2 and Onimusha are a control improvement, but they came after RE3.

Another improvement. You don't need to "Use" the stairs (Press the Action button on previous games made you go up or down stairs) and you can move freely there. Also the Auto-Aim was present in the Default Controller Settings. A Hit from Capcom this one, Auto Aim greatly helps "seeing" zombies out of Camera Range.

I don't like controlling RE. I get hit a lot because of the controllers.

Sound/Music 7/10
Sound plays nice on horror movies and suspense thrillers. Resident Evil is no exception. The music adds the mood on the scene, and with a change of pace, music gets higher and cooler. Cool if you ask me. Play it in the night with everything turned off, and just pump up the volume. Excelent.

And there comes the voice acting. A Hit from Capcom and a Miss from Capcom. The horrid voice acting resembles a B-Type crappy horror movie, adding extra value to the Zombie stuff. But why o why, sometimes is just plain horrid. Since RE1 "Barry, Where's Barry", to RE2 "Sherry come back, Sherry! Sherry!" sometimes you want to kill the damn TV screen. For example, play Metal Gear games, or Grand Theft Auto games and then play RE games. Voice acting can do a great deal on games. A mixed bag.

Sound effects are OK, mixed with the orquesta VAG (VAG or VAB format is the PSOne standard, not samples but PSOne generated tunes, as MIDI on PC) are OK, damn Voice Acting will be always a pain.

Replay Value 6/10
As all Survivals, these games are quite short (Depends on how is your "game life value") in 5 hours, maybe 6, at your first time playing it you would beat it. Now, there are some extras. You can get up to three "great Capcom style endings" that are not really that different, but adds replay value. Also, getting a better grade, should be another value. And in the end, "The Mercenaries". Cool Mini game, Resident Evil style. Not very spectacular indeed but still cool. But after that (And buying the outfits, unlimited ammo and stuff) the game is plain dead. Months later when you see the box you get the chills and want to play it again.

Overall 8/10
Not a great improvement from RE2, but a nice sequel. Yes, the voice acting is horrid and the controls are controversial, but is still a great game series. Capcom Flag Game Series if you ask me. As a final comment, the replay value is somewhat good, but the game is still short (3-6 hours)

- By recon_zero