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As a long-time fan of the Resident Evil franchise, it's safe to say I’ve experienced nearly every entry — from the absolute masterpieces like Resident Evil 4 to the more divisive titles like RE5 and RE6. I’ve loved them all in some way, shape, or form. Heck, even Resident Evil 7 was a welcome shift in style. I’m still looking forward to diving into the remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil 8, but there’s one title that’s always stood out to me: Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.
For newcomers to the series or those who never played the original Resident Evil 3, this remake is perfectly serviceable. It’s an action-packed ride with little downtime, which might appeal to fans of fast-paced gameplay. The chase sequences with Nemesis are intense and frequent, and the game never feels too slow. If you’re coming into this fresh, you might have a good time.
However, if you’ve played the original RE3 — or if you’ve come to love its slower, more atmospheric tension — the changes in this remake might leave you disappointed. The game feels short — far shorter than the original, which had more breathing room and a greater sense of exploration. Here, the focus is almost entirely on action and Nemesis chases, which leaves very little room for the puzzles, character interactions, and environmental storytelling that made the original stand out.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the remake is how much content was cut. The original RE3 had more variety in its pacing. There were sections where you could take your time solving puzzles, exploring, and interacting with other characters. The remake trims all of this down, opting instead to ramp up the action. This works for some, but for me, it took away what made the original so special — the balance between survival horror, exploration, and action.
The plot changes also stood out to me as a major flaw. While it’s not uncommon for remakes to take liberties with story elements, some of the decisions here felt like missed opportunities. For example, the death of Brad Vickers, a moment that was genuinely shocking and impactful in the original, barely registers here. Similarly, the iconic Barry Burton appearance at the end is gone, which is another change that felt like a misstep. There are more plot deviations, but I won’t spoil them here. Suffice to say, for long-time fans of the original, these changes can feel jarring.
Looking at the overwhelmingly “Very Positive” reviews on Steam, I get the impression that many players are enjoying the game in isolation, without comparing it to its predecessor. That’s fine, and I can understand why people are giving it high marks. It’s not a bad game, just a mediocre one when stacked against the original. It’s certainly fun in parts, but it’s also a missed opportunity. For fans who grew up with the original RE3, the remake feels more like a fast-paced action game with a few elements tacked on rather than a faithful reimagining.
In the end, I’m going to give the game a positive review as well — maybe not as glowing as some others, but it’s still a fun time, especially if you’re not attached to the original. But, for me, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Resident Evil 3: Nemesis deserved more than just a straightforward action reboot.