Resident Evil 3
Reviewed by Clement Chan Zhi Li
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis has already been out for the
Playstation so, another port to the Dreamcast is very
welcoming. The graphics are enhanced even more by utilizing
the Dreamcast's capabilities, while the gameplay, secrets,
music and the rest are still the same. The same haunting
game as before has maintained its blood and gore, animated
violence with all sorts of horrible flesh-eating things that
will scare you a lot, definitely.
Graphics - 9
The graphics are undeniably much better that the Playstation
version. The 3D modeling of the characters, zombies and
other monsters are simply perfect, with everything in
detailed, from the clothes, blood and the way the character
walk or limp are realistic. Not to mention that the colours
are still quite the same, almost black at certain areas as
it looks as if it's at night to make it look duller and
terrifying. The background itself do no enhancements either,
except that it looks as if part of the object that you are
likely not to notice.
Sometimes, you'll see flies around the garbage bins, corpse
tore off with either the head gone or other parts of the
body destroyed completely. The light source is certainly
great, as if lights up certain part of the area and looks
wonderful in the game. Real-time cut-scenes which uses the
modeling of the characters to move about by computer-controlled
are just nice and it always appear in the game. The best part is,
the FMV sequence when it appeared sometimes are almost real
and shines off the best of all graphics in the whole game.
Music - 9
Still the same old dragging tune with zombies walking past
by mumbling nonsensical ÒUgghhhÉÓ as if to tell you to kill
them. The sound effects sound real enough with many examples
to show. Walking on different things will produce different
sounds, like walking on a metal thing will make clanking
sounds while others like hard ground will make tip-tapping
sounds from the footprints. Humourous shouts of ÒHelp meÉ!Ó
occasionally are definitely funny, as Capcom had made it too real.
The background music are almost the same as Resident Evil 2.
It will appear on places with different music that will
frighten you out. Example, when a bunch of monsters run
towards you, you will hear the background music changing
into a fast, rapid soundtrack and until you finish all of
them, the music will either change into another or stop
completely. The voice acting parts are cool for all parties,
all of them suit very well with characters in different
personalities. The boss that you will always meet, Nemesis
will always mumble ÒS. T. A. R. S. ÉÓ all the time when you
encounter him.
Gameplay - 10
For other reasons, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis seems to be the
best game of all of the Resident Evil series, after Resident
Evil: Code Veronica and I think it's true. This game,
although almost identical to the Playstation version with
only enhanced graphics have new features and secrets that
will let you become obsessed with this game. Even the
beginning introduction will already tell you much or less
about the game already, with the evil villain showing its
four-layered teeth.
Shooting zombies or avoiding them will be quite common here.
Always, your heart will jump up when zombies appear with a
crashing loud sound when all starts to turn quiet,
especially the music. Crows and dogs and all sorts of
strange monsters will come forward towards you, and even
after you had killed them on the place, they will appear
occasionally on the same place. Apparently, all zombies are
still as stupid as they appear in Resident Evil 2 but some
of them may try and 'play dead' so you have to be careful
about that.
Surprisingly enough, some puzzles are not at all hard but
finding things to get you through are real tough. The
puzzles are mostly random, but the answers are already
programmed into it and will appear to be the same sometimes,
because it is all randomized. Puzzles involving remembering
the code numbers and letters and then use it are not that
hard, but sometimes, you'll have to pull certain switches
and buttons in order to obtain certain item.
Controlling one of the S. T. A. R. S. members, Jill Valentine
who also appeared in the original Resident Evil series, you
are set out in Raccoon City once more, a zombie-infested
place. You have to scra*e through places by places in order
to accomplish your mission, especially to destroy your
rentless enemy, Nemesis who does not feel tired in saying
ÒS. T. A. R. S. Ó repeatedly. This double-faced guy will appear
from time to time in the game where you will have to fight
against him a lot of times. Quite a tough work but good in
the end.
There are many powerful weapons in the game, as well as some
new items being introduced. You can use Gun Powder which
will appear in different forms which is A, B and C. Using
the Reloading Tool and combining the Gun Powder which has
been mixed, you will make new ammo for your weapon and the
more times you made the same type, the more enhanced your
ammo will be. Luckily enough, there are still the same Herbs
that will help to cure your life and there is now a First
Aid Box which can store 3 First Aid Sprays, together. This
brings in good news as you can save enough space for other
items. Of course, you can still store unwanted items in the
Item Box near the typewriter. Using the Ink Ribbon to use
the typewriter will save your game.
A new feature is introduced to the game, the Live Selection
mode. When some sort of dangerous event happens, two options
will appear on the screen and you must quickly choose the
right one because if it's too late, you'll have to proceed
the scene manually. Choosing either one will not cause you
to die except that it will either land you into a different
place or it would be easier. When it is going to be the Live
Selection mode, the screen will turn black and white and you
will hear Jill's heart beating. This prompts you to get
ready and after you had chosen the right choice, sit back
and watch the automatic scene.
Another reason why Dreamcast version is much better than the
Playstation version is, because you can unlock the secrets
easier. For example, you don't even need to unlock the
Mercenaries mode or the extra costumes for Jill. The
costumes can be selected when you start in the new game and
there are eight all together while the Playstation had only
five, even after you had unlocked them all together. The
Mercenaries mode, which will already appear in the game
without having you to unlock it is one fun game that called
itself ÒOperation Mad JackalsÓ. The Epilogues too, can be
unlocked by going either the Easy mode or Hard mode which is
cooler than the Playstation version because you need the
Hard mode to unlock all Epilogues.
On that mode, you can take control of three characters to
navigate through the game, Carlos, Mikhail and Nicholai, all
hired mercenaries from Umbrella. Your mission is to make
through the city under two minutes and reach the targeted
place while saving 6 survivors in different places. In order
to get more time and money, you'll have to shoot zombies and
in order to survive, you'll need to remember not to waste
any ammo, recovering items and time unnecessarily as they're
vital in order to win the game. To make matters worst,
you'll encounter the bad villain of the game, Nemesis, a few
times so it's wise to have a good strategy planned. Even if
you die earlier, you can get money but only little so
getting enough money will allow you to use weapons with
unlimited ammo when you start a new game.
Controls - 6
Yes, the controls are real tough for beginners and
non-Resident Evil players. Dino Crisis players will be happy
though as the controls are just almost the same. Tapping the
right or left button will make Jill turn around to the
direction you are tapping while pressing the up button will
make Jill walk forward, no matter which direction you are
facing while the down button will make Jill walk backwards.
L and R buttons are both for aiming, A button is for run, B
is to bring up the menu, X is for Action/Shoot while the Y
button is to bring up the city map. The controls are quite
hard to remember but with luck and time and inner
intelligence, hopefully, you can remember the controls
easily.
Story - 9
Jill Valentine finds herself in Raccoon City once more. Most
people are confused whether Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was
supposed to be a sequel or prequel where it is actually
both. The first half of the game, is 24 hours before
Resident Evil 2 (that means a few moments after the original
Resident Evil) and the second half of the game (when you
take in control after Carlos) is supposed to be 24 hours
after Resident Evil 2. The story can be quite confusing but
if you are an avid player and have completely finished
playing Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2, there are no
problems in recognizing the story.
Replay Value - 8
There are simply many things to do, after completing
Resident Evil 3. The secrets this time, are certainly much
better than Resident Evil 2 as you can get infinite ammo for
different type of weapons by playing the secret mode that
you have unlocked. The Mercenaries mode will certainly get
you addicted to it, as it was already in the game when you
first start it while the Playstation version requires you to
unlock it by finishing the game. You don't even need to
unlock more secret costumes as you can choose between eight
(only five in the Playstation, the maximum that you can
unlock!) so you can see why the Dreamcast version surpasses
the other version.
Overall - 9 out of 10
A massive improvement after Resident Evil 2, although you
can only take control of one character, Jill Valentine. The
graphics are certainly good, and the overall scariness are
definitely high, almost as scary as Resident Evil 2. Of
course, this is my suggestion to you: Get a friend or
someone to be together with you, unless you are a
super-brave person or have already played all sorts of
Resident Evil series frequently till you get used to it.
Remember, choose this game if you dareÉ and if you care.
President
-----
+ Definitely the enhanced graphics are the best!
+ Lots of replay value, and tons of secrets to keep you
coming back!
+ Obviously the story, which will get you obsessed with the game!
Resident
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- Horrible controls, for the second time I'm saying.
- Unless you are a zombie-lover or brave enough, stay out of this.
- You'll get thoroughly addicted to this, despite its
scariness and high rating of maturity for its animated
violence, blood and gore.
OR
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