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Resident Evil 3

A streamlined, modern interpretation of the original Resident Evil 3; this rendition has faster gameplay, a more linear experience, and a heavier focus on cinematic cutscenes. It, however, lacks the terrifying atmospheric tension that the previous remake ever so well established, but that is not to diminish the thrill of action or chase sequences as well as significantly improved boss fights. The visual and audio fidelity remains astonishing, with additional improvements because of the utilization of Capcom's welcomed RE Engine.

Visuals

The visuals have improved over RE2, not leaps and bounds by any means but improvements such as character models, facial expressions, and overall lighting. Everything remains thoroughly designed with attention to detail, from the design and creation to the texturing, lighting, and animation. It really shows via the characters, assets, and environments.
Exploration of the various streets and buildings within Raccoon City may not be as frightening as it was in RE2, but that is because of the fast-paced, action-orientated gameplay. That, however, does not diminish that the visuals alone still captivate that affection for Resident Evil and horror, resulting in unsettling and eerie surroundings regardless.
The zombies are visually terrifying and memorable alongside the plethora of other creatures and mutations which roam Raccoon City. The tyrant himself Nemesis, has a spectacular design that keeps on developing, with each encounter growing more ominous and disturbing still. Although it is not only the horrific beings that look great, as do the cast of characters you play and encounter. The models are unique and remarkable; the amount of care put into everybody, even the models you see once or twice, is unbelievable.

Audio

Audibly it sounds great; the soundtrack is good and features some fun reimagined classic tracks from previous installments, alongside creating its new and reimagined score. The guns sound more realistic and satisfying than ever, which can also be said for the environment you are within, from sound effects like water droplets or footsteps to explosions; it all sounds astonishing.
Attention to detail is everywhere, especially when it comes to voice acting. With the cinematic narrative focus, it became crucial to nail the voice acting for the cast of characters, which Capcom did. Each character sounds splendid and has a voice befitting their personality and likeness, whether be it a grim or heartfelt moment, they always pull through and sound genuine. The groans and cries from Zombies still periodically send a chill down the spine. However, this is short-lived, as it is quickly quenched by satisfying death, after blowing the zombie's head.

Gameplay Analysis

The traditional slow-paced action with great prominence on exploration has shifted to a more linear experience focusing on chase sequences, cinematic cutscenes, and much faster gunplay. While exploration does come into play, it feels shallow compared to the previous iteration. It will not be for everyone, especially veterans of the franchise. as it's at odds with the traditional free-roam, slow-paced survival horror that RE2 mastered.
The lack of puzzles, backtracking, areas to explore, and ultimately barely any incentive to scavenge are among the primary reasons exploration feels half-baked. Exploration will of course still reward additional upgrades, herbs, ammunition, and more if the player should explore. But due to the abundance of resources at hand, it never feels mandatory or incentivized.
Gunplay, however, feels fast, fluid, and most importantly fun. The addition of timed dodges allows combat to flow better and feel less clunky. Boss battles feel satisfying and well designed, as it's no longer simply. "run around the boss, and shoot it till it collapses." like in the previous installment.
I do firmly believe Capcom managed to design gameplay with a medium between Resident Evil and the more modern, fast-paced action formula quite well. It is by no means perfect, but it succeeds in staying enjoyable and distinct throughout the journey.

Story

Following the events from Resident Evil 2, Raccoon City is still in chaos, as the virus is rampant, and victims of it arise as flesh-eating zombies that roam the streets. The story revolves around a S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine as she tries to find a cure and figure out who created the virus and why while trying to escape the city with an imminent threat always around the corner. During this time, Jill encounters Carlos Oliveira, a member of the U.B.C.S who is tasked to lead the remaining civilians out of the city but ultimately gets entangled in Jill's journey.
The story is cheesy, albeit enjoyable, and certainly memorable; from the never-ending over-the-top action to the incredibly wholesome moments between Jill and Carlos, it all has personality and enjoyment written all over it. The villain, however, is forgettable, bland, and truly a missed opportunity to take the story to the next level.

Additional Note(s):

Resident Evil 3 is bundled alongside Resident Evil Resistance, which is an asymmetric one versus four Multiplayer standalone game. It is, however, in a bad state as Capcom has abandoned it with no plans of fixing/updating it.
RE3 is a short game, as it's roughly 6-7 hours long with tons of content cut from the original. This fact is barely noticeable for newcomers, as what there is, feels like a solid enough experience. But for fans of the original game, it may feel underwhelming with so much left out, but ultimately still enjoyable, just something to keep in mind.

Final Thoughts

Resident Evil 3 is a flawed yet enjoyable game that improves gunplay, making combat feel fluid and fast, but at the cost of the traditional slow-paced exploration-oriented gameplay and the atmospheric tension that the previous installment had mastered. It is visually and audibly stunning, with great characters, and has an enjoyable story only hindered by its villain. Despite its shortcomings, I do believe it is a good game, worthy of your time whether you are an RE fan or not.
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