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Overview
Resident Evil 3 is Capcom's full remake of the 1999 classic Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, released on April 2, 2020. Built on the same RE Engine used for the Resident Evil 2 remake, the game puts players primarily in control of Jill Valentine as she fights her way through a city overrun by the undead, with Carlos Oliveira serving as a playable secondary character who gets significantly more screen time than in the original release. The result is a tighter, more cinematic take on the Raccoon City outbreak that plays out across both characters' perspectives.
The game sits at the intersection of action and survival horror. Jill is more agile than her RE2 counterpart Leon or Claire, with a dodge mechanic that lets players sidestep incoming attacks with precise timing. Land a perfect dodge and the game briefly slows down, opening a window for a counterattack. It's a system that rewards aggression rather than pure evasion, which shifts the pacing compared to the slower, more methodical RE2.
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Gameplay and mechanics
Core survival horror systems carry over from the RE2 remake: resource management, item crafting, and limited ammo keep tension high throughout. Key mechanics include:
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- Perfect dodge with slow-motion counter window
- Gunpowder-based ammo crafting system
- Inventory management with the classic grid layout
- Switchable characters between Jill and Carlos segments
- Environmental puzzle solving tied to exploration
Combat feels more confident and kinetic than the RE2 remake. Jill has access to a grenade launcher and other heavy tools early, and the game leans into set-piece encounters more than its predecessor. The tradeoff is that the experience is shorter, with most playthroughs landing between five and eight hours on a first run.
Who is Nemesis and why does it matter?
Nemesis is the defining element of Resident Evil 3. Unlike Mr. X in the RE2 remake, Nemesis is faster, smarter, and capable of using weapons. It can sprint, throw projectiles, and pursue Jill across multiple areas of the city. The creature functions as a constant pressure system rather than a scripted obstacle, forcing players to make split-second decisions about whether to fight, flee, or use the environment.
Fighting Nemesis can yield rewards including weapon upgrades and crafting materials, giving players a real reason to stand their ground rather than always running. This risk-reward loop is one of the more satisfying design decisions in the game.
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World and setting
Raccoon City feels genuinely lived-in before it falls apart. The opening hours move through streets, a subway system, and a hospital, each environment carrying the visual weight of a city mid-collapse. The RE Engine delivers detailed environments with strong lighting and particle effects that hold up well across platforms.
The game is available on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch (Cloud version), iOS, and macOS, making it one of the more widely accessible entries in the series. The Nintendo Switch version runs as a cloud game, which means a stable internet connection is required to play.
Content and replayability
The base game ships with Resident Evil Resistance, a 4v1 asymmetric multiplayer mode where one player controls a Mastermind placing traps and enemies while four survivors attempt to escape. It adds a distinct multiplayer dimension to what is otherwise a solo campaign experience.
Resident Evil 3 also supports multiple playthroughs through a shop system that unlocks bonus weapons, costumes, and concept art using in-game points earned by completing challenges. Speedrunning the campaign on higher difficulties is a natural extension of this, and the game's compact length makes repeat runs genuinely practical. The Resident Evil Remake Trilogy bundle, available since November 2024, packages RE3 alongside RE2 and RE7 with additional content for players who want to experience the full modern remake run.
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