Platform Evaluated: PC (GOG)
PC Specs: Ryzen 5 9600X | XFX Radeon RX 9070 | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 1440p Ultrawide (4:3 Pillarboxed)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: November 11, 1999 in North America (Original) / September 25, 2024 (GOG PC Re-release)
MSRP: $9.99
Recommended Version: GOG PC Version
Editor’s Note: Copy Purchased by Reviewer
Overview
(Not to be confused with the 2020 remake), Resident Evil 3 originally released globally as Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, arrives on modern PCs via GOG’s preservation initiative. Set two months after the mansion incident, a virus outbreak occurs in Raccoon City. Jill Valentine, one of the S.T.A.R.S. members who survived the mansion, makes a desperate escape while encountering hordes of zombies and the terrifying Nemesis, who is in constant pursuit.
Visuals & Technical Performance
While the visuals are better than the original Resident Evil, they are a slight downgrade from Resident Evil 2. This is because Resident Evil 3 is larger, with significantly more outdoor space than any Resident Evil game before it. This also has to do with Nemesis; because he is a constant threat during certain parts of the game, the overall graphical quality takes a hit. Character and enemy textures aren’t as detailed as Resident Evil 2, but ironically, the in-game cutscenes are better. Overall performance is great, but during my playthrough, the game did freeze twice.
Gameplay & Core Mechanics
From a gameplay perspective, Resident Evil 3 feels great. Jill has a dodge ability this time around, and while it is hard to master, it is extremely rewarding to pull off during a tough fight. It is still very much a survival horror game, with jump scares, limited resources, and inventory management. However, a new monkey wrench gets thrown into the mix in the form of Nemesis, who will pursue you during certain parts of the game. This really adds a layer of tension to the overall experience, and this makes the game more challenging than the first two, as Nemesis is the toughest threat we have seen to date. Throughout the story, multiple Live Selection events appear, and you have limited time to decide. For example, do you choose to fight Nemesis and waste precious ammo, or do you run? These decisions directly impact the story, which is a very nice feature.
Story, Lore, & Worldbuilding
The story is unique as it is set before, during, and after Resident Evil 2. You get a better sense of the Raccoon City outbreak compared to its predecessor. The return of the fan favorite Jill Valentine is fantastic, as is the introduction of Nemesis. The new characters are also good and, in typical Resident Evil fashion, there are plenty of journals to collect to expand the story. Jill being in Raccoon City at the start of the outbreak remains one of the strongest story arcs out of the original three games.
Audio, Sound Design, & Music
While better than the original Resident Evil, the sound quality overall is a downgrade compared to Resident Evil 2. Here, the audio is noticeably compressed and at times a little distorted. The music is still fantastic, especially the save room music, but I don’t think it is as iconic as Resident Evil 2’s. In addition, while Catherine Disher’s portrayal of Jill is terrific, the other characters fluctuate in quality.
Value & Replayability
The replay value is off the charts thanks to multiple endings and the new Mercenaries mode, which is a ton of fun. Even though Jill only has one scenario, you will still do multiple playthroughs, and the decision events keep gameplay fresh. On GOG, it is priced at $9.99, which is great for a 25+-year-old game, but it is often discounted.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Immersive Narrative Arc: Experiencing Raccoon City at the height of the viral outbreak remains a high-water mark for franchise storytelling and worldbuilding.
Unrelenting Pursuit: Nemesis delivers incredible tension and unpredictable encounters, cementing him as one of the best survival-horror antagonists of all time.
Evolution of Tank Controls: The addition of the dodge mechanic, quick-turn, improved stair navigation, and Live Selection choices elevates the core gameplay above its predecessors.
Exceptional Replayability: Live Selection decision branches, multiple narrative endings, and the debut of the addicting Operation: Mad Jackal (Mercenaries) mode offer huge replay value.
Jill Valentine’s Finest Hour: Captures Jill at her absolute best: battle-hardened, resourceful, and iconic.
Cons
Compressed Audio Mixing: Audio effects feel noticeably compressed and distorted compared to Resident Evil 2, accompanied by uneven side-character voice performances.
Scaled-Back Visual Fidelity: Character models and texture details show a slight degradation in fine detail, a necessary tradeoff to accommodate larger open-city environments and the new stalker mechanics.
Technical Hiccups on PC: Occasional stability issues, including minor crashes/freezes during playback on modern systems.
Verdict & Paladin Index Scorecard
Resident Evil 3 is a stellar survival horror entry. While it doesn’t surpass Resident Evil 2, it is a triumphant achievement in its own right. Experiencing the initial collapse of Raccoon City through the eyes of a returning Jill Valentine delivers one of the most compelling story arcs among the first three games.
Beyond narrative strength, Capcom expanded the classic formula with essential innovations: quick-turn mechanics, seamless stair movement, a dodge system, and high-stakes Live Selection events. Anchored by the relentless threat of Nemesis, RE3 delivers the most dynamic gameplay of the fixed-camera era. Though compressed audio quality and minor graphical compromises keep it from claiming the top spot in the trilogy, its phenomenal replay value and relentless pacing earn it a hearty recommendation for series veterans and newcomers alike.