What makes Resident Evil 3 REmake so bad?

Resident Evil 3 Remake failed to live up to expectations due to extensive content cuts, reduced complexity, and a short runtime that felt rushed. While still a technical achievement, it lost much of what made the 1999 original special.

The Short Answer

RE3 Remake‘s most glaring flaws stem from substantial cuts to enemy variety, locations, puzzles, and overall scope that made the original a hallmark survival horror title. With little replay value, unlockables, or post-game content, RE3 Remake felt like a short side story rather than a true standalone entry. Streamlining also reduced difficulty and complexities that once made Resident Evil challenging. However, RE3 Remake still succeeded in modernizing gameplay and realizing memorable characters like Jill and Carlos with cutting-edge graphics.

Extensive Content Cuts Reduce Scope

The most immediate difference going from original RE3 to the remake is the extensive content cuts:

• Entire locations removed: Clock Tower, Park, Cemetery, Dead Factory
• Story elements cut: Jill‘s infection and cure subplot, branching paths
• Enemies removed: Gravedigger, giant spiders, crows, poisonous frogs
• Puzzles simplified or cut entirely
• Playable epilogues removed: Mercenaries Mode, alternate costumes

This sweeping reduction in environments, story beats, enemies, and puzzles took away much of what made RE3 special. Locations like the Clock Tower were completely iconic to fans. By removing or streamlining these elements, the remake lost the epic scope and variety of the PlayStation original.

Playtime Suffers

As a result of the cuts, RE3 Remake averages 5-6 hours for a first playthrough while the original took 8-10. Youth today expect more hourly value from a $60 release. RE3 Remake‘s brief runtime made it feel like an expansion rather than complete experience. RE2 Remake and RE7 both offered greater playtime value in comparison.

Lack of Replayability

The original RE3 rewarded dedicated players with bonus modes and unlockable costumes for Jill upon finishing the story. The remake has zero post-game content or unlockables outside of art galleries and higher difficulties. No bonus mercenaries mode or alternate outfits means little reason to replay.

Nemesis Loses Menace

Nemesis was far more persistent and menacing in the original RE3, able to chase Jill nearly anywhere. The remake confines Nemesis to scripted appearances and boss fights, completely changing the dynamic.

Rather than hound the player throughout the city, he only appears briefly to cause setpieces before disappearing again. The constant tension of Nemesis potentially showing up anywhere is lost. He‘s reduced to a temporary roadblock for action scenes, no longer the unstoppable force fans remembered.

Original Nemesis:

• Could chase Jill across multiple city districts
• Appeared randomly to keep players on edge
• Felt truly relentless and unkillable

Remake Nemesis:

• Appears only in scripted moments and boss fights
• Does not organically chase player for most of the game
• Loses feeling of randomness and true threat

This change likely stemmed from difficulties making Nemesis work well in 3D spaces or balance concerns. However, it diminished his horror impact drastically versus the original.

Streamlined Gameplay Reduces Challenge

Resident Evil originally became popular by punishing players with limited saves, scarce ammo, cryptic puzzles, and backtracking. Solving progression required writing down clues and thoroughly exploring. RE3 Remake throws most of this out.

• Puzzles are largely eliminated
• Environmental clues removed
• Stores and generous checkpoints reduce all resource tension
• Linear chapters require little exploration
• No need to backtrack or remember prior areas

On normal difficulty, RE3 Remake is extremely forgiving. Learning the systems or thinking creatively is rarely required. This streamlining helped modernize the gameplay, but also diminished the challenge that defined early Resident Evil.

Accessibility vs. Difficulty

This linearity and accessibility lowered the bar for entry, allowing new players to easily enjoy RE3 Remake. However, series veterans were left wanting more complexity. Finding the right balance is an ongoing struggle in Resident Evil remakes.

Narrative Still Shines

For longtime fans, RE3‘s story of Jill escaping a doomed Raccoon City while being hunted by the relentless Nemesis left a strong impression back in 1999. That core narrative essence remains intact despite cuts.

Jill‘s emotional journey as she overcomes fear to expose Umbrella still works well. Carlos provides welcome levity and warmth amidst the horror. Key story beats successfully land even in abbreviated form. While certain subplots like Jill‘s infection were removed, the narrative core stays remarkably faithful to the original vision.

Both Jill and Carlos feel even richer as characters than before, with added backstory and vulnerabilities rounding them out. Their likable dynamic helps anchor the experience through streamlining and cuts elsewhere.

Jill Valentine

Jill‘s portrayal in RE3 Remake adds more emotional depth than ever before. Growing from terrified survivor to determined hero, she demonstrates believable courage in the face of horror. Jill‘s weary determination made her especially compelling this time around.

Carlos Oliveira

Likewise, Carlos became more three-dimensional as a character in RE3 Remake compared to the cliched action hero of the original. His cocky facade masking self-doubt created an endearing new Resident Evil protagonist. Carlos‘ humor and compassion helped humanize Umbrella soldiers.

Stunning Visuals and Effects

Built in RE Engine following Resident Evil 7 and RE2 Remake, RE3 Remake represents the pinnacle of the series‘ graphics to date. The demolished city streets and burning buildings look photorealistic. Nemesis and other creature designs inspire true disgust and horror through detailed textures. Weapons and environmental effects pack visceral punch, from splattering blood to blazing explosions.

As an audiovisual experience, RE3 Remake immerses players in Raccoon City like never before. For long-awaiting fans, it‘s a thrill to finally see these environments with modern graphical fidelity. Every new area offers epic money shots to gawk at the detail. Aside from cuts, the developers absolutely nailed realizing Resident Evil 3 visually.

Technical Showcase

From accurate lip sync to expressive environmental damage, every technical element received painstaking attention. For those who enjoy maximum graphical immersion, RE3 Remake is a must-play showcase piece.

Conclusion

RE3 Remake represented a missed opportunity to fully resurrect the 1999 classic for a new generation. Sweeping cuts created an experience lacking scope and challenge compared to Resident Evil tradition. Nemesis and other elements lost impact due to gameplay streamlining as well. However, vibrant updated characters and staggering visual quality prove RE Engine‘s capabilities. RE3 Remake modernized a classic, but failed to capture its full magic.