With the Sega Dreamcast being released twenty years ago this month, another classic title that was released on that same month for the PlayStation on September 22nd 1999 for Japan was Resident Evil 3. It wouldn't be until a few months later it would been released for both North America and UK/Europe; Resident Evil 3 did get released a year later for both PC and Dreamcast along with a GameCube release in 2003.
Resident Evil 4 is still memorable as it is when it comes to action, Resident Evil 3 had a brilliant scary opening of the outbreak of Raccoon City, Jill Valentine tries to make an escape out of the city she isn't alone and ends up getting hunted by Nemesis which is hunting down S.T.A.R.S members. The story is based around the same time as Resident Evil 2 took place in Raccoon City just before Claire and Leon met and finding a way to escape their nightmare from Raccoon City. Jill Valentine tries to escape before the infection starts to spread across the city as zombies start to take over the city.
What we do have to remember is that weren't many horror games or next-gen consoles around that time in 1996 with the likes of the Nintendo 64 and Sega Saturn in the market, the PS1 had a few good games in their library after its launch. If it wasn't for Shinji Mikami there wouldn't be a Resident Evil showing the world that there can be some really good horror moments in video games, plus other game companies and franchises would jump on board a few years later on other systems. After the release of the first Resident Evil the later games got better and better when it came to gameplay and storytelling, especially for the likes of Resident Evil 2 and 3 which also the graphics improved even further especially during the Fifth and Sixth Generation of gaming.
The landscapes and environments look well-detailed and very impressive to look at for a survival horror game, giving you thrills and chills down your spine wondering what's lurking behind that corner. I might have mentioned this in past blogs, but the opening to this is still one of my top five favourite for Video Game Openings in general, just love the horror atmosphere around it when the T-Virus has escaped the Umbrella labs and ends up infecting the entire city. I was a little terrified at first when I first played this game at a very young age, but the more I played it the more memorable it got every time especially with the panic music in the background.
Everything about Resident Evil 3 looks including its character animation and CGI animation, for a horror game you will see blood and gore as well from shooting zombies to seeing Jill getting ripped to shreds by Nemesis. I would admit that the camera can be really awkward when you’re going from one place to another in each area, this can be annoying or some people where they'll see enemies in the area and more behind you end up can't see what's up ahead. Voicing does a great job from the moans of zombies to gun-shot noises, the voice acting makes a great touch, but the best part is hearing Nemesis with the large sounding footsteps and shouting out S.T.A.R.S as he tries to chase you down.
As a fan of the series I actually found Resident Evil 3 quite scary and plus one or two moments that made me jump. These are the kind of games that Capcom should try and make more often on next-gen consoles, but for now it still remains as a classic horror for the PlayStation. If you’re planning on playing the series for the first time don't waste all of your ammo all once because you'll need a lot as you face tougher enemies. Clearing the game can take you at least 10 hours or more pending on how quick you get through the puzzles and know where to go next. There is Mercenaries mode, which can be unlocked after clearing the game, and pending on how quick you speed run through it you'll be able to unlock more powerful weapons to use.
Twenty years later Resident Evil 3 still holds up pretty well with Resident Evil 2 Remake being a huge success this year there is a high chance that Capcom will likely listen to their fans and work on a remake for Resident Evil 3. I am curious about their other project, Capcom are working at the moment Project Resistance, which looks like a 4 player online co-op set during the year of 1998 around the same time as the Raccoon City outbreak when looking at their next title reminds me of Resident Evil Outbreak which I never played on the PlayStation 2 I did hear that it was more fun playing the game online with other players and got good reviews from critics and fans.
Have any favourite moments in Resident Evil 3?
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