After all this time, I didn't expect to be the one cutting Resident Evil 3 Remake some slack—but someone has to.
Resident Evil 3 Remake, released in 2020, doesn't have the best reputation among fans, especially when compared to the universally praised Resident Evil 2 Remake.
It came out just a year after, using the same engine and similar mechanics, but was met with backlash for being too short and leaving out key areas from the original game.
And while those criticisms are fair to a point, there's more to this remake than the internet often gives it credit for.
Many players point out the short length of Resident Evil 3 Remake as a downside. It's undeniable that this game is much shorter than Resident Evil 2, with less exploration and fewer puzzles.
However, the faster pace isn't a flaw but just something different. The focus on momentum and unbroken movement complements Jill's desperate race to get out of Raccoon City.
It skips the drawn-out scares and goes for intense, high-tension action instead. The urgency is constant, and that shift in style works when you consider Jill's circumstances and the threat she's up against.
Speaking of Jill, her character in the remake definitely makes an impression. She looks more experienced and self-aware than in the original, and the writing gives her a more defined edge.
Her interactions with Carlos also benefit from stronger characterization. The characters feel more developed, and their dynamic brings personality to an otherwise dark situation. It ties the story together and gives players a better reason to stick with it.
Nemesis is another major point of debate. Many players expected him to rival Mr. X from Resident Evil 2 Remake in terms of constant, unpredictable tension. Instead, his appearances are more scripted, and his impact feels front-loaded.
That said, his early game encounters are still effective, and his boss fights later on are visually impressive. He may not be as unpredictable as Mr. X, but he makes up for it with his presence. His design, sound, and pacing still create moments of panic, especially during the first half of the game.
The real issue that holds Resident Evil 3 Remake back in the eyes of longtime fans is what it leaves out. The clock tower, park, and graveyard, all iconic locations, are either heavily scaled back or entirely left out.
The original game felt more varied and spacious because of those spaces, and you can definitely feel their absence. Capcom went with a streamlined story, and while it's polished, there's not much to do beyond challenge runs if you're looking for replayability or exploration.
Even with all that, Resident Evil 3 Remake does some things exceptionally well. Its visuals are some of the best in the series, with detailed environments and smooth animations that make Raccoon City feel alive in a way the original didn't.
Encounters are more enjoyable thanks to tighter combat, responsive controls, and improved gunplay. Unlike the original, this remake keeps its pace and stays on track.
It keeps a steady tone and looks, which helps it stick to its identity, even if it's not exactly what fans were hoping for. It also smoothly connects the tone of Resident Evil 2 Remake with the more cinematic feel of Resident Evil 4 Remake.
It might not go as deep into the horror roots of the former or have the bombastic energy of the latter, but it balances action and tension in a way that works on its own.
Even if its vision doesn't match everyone's expectations, the game carries it out with full confidence.
Resident Evil 3 Remake doesn't fail because it's a bad game; it gets written off because it doesn't meet the nostalgic expectations of some fans.
If you take it by itself, it's a quick, well-polished survival-action game with solid characters, stunning visuals, and one of the most cinematic looks at Raccoon City.
It's not the remake people were asking for, but it's a solid one—and I'll keep defending it, even if I'm the last one doing it.