25 Years Later, RE3: Nemesis is a Fitting Swansong to PS1 Era

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25 Years Later, RE3: Nemesis is a Fitting Swansong to PS1 Era

As a seasoned survivor of the Resident Evil universe and a passionate fan since the early days of the PlayStation, I can confidently say that Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is a game that deserves more recognition than it often gets. It’s like the unsung hero of the original trilogy, standing tall amidst its more popular siblings yet often overlooked.

Among all franchises that debuted during the fifth console era, driven by Sony PlayStation, only a handful have left an enduring mark, and none more so than the chilling saga known as Resident Evil. Not only was it one of the earliest horror video game series to achieve widespread popularity, but it also played a significant role in defining its genre by popularizing the term “Survival Horror,” although it wasn’t the first to strictly follow its principles. However, often overshadowed are the discussions surrounding Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, a title that frequently gets overlooked amidst the praise heaped upon the original and its subsequent sequel.

25 years ago today, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was initially launched, and it subtly introduced elements that would later captivate players in both Resident Evil – CODE: Veronica and Resident Evil 4. Remarkably, this game was developed by a secondary team within Capcom. Meanwhile, Hideki Kamiya, the director of Resident Evil 2 who later founded Platinum Games, was working on what would become Resident Evil 4, while series creator Shinji Mikami supervised the production of RE3. It offers an exhilarating, action-packed journey, and the advancements it introduced make it one of the more unexpected installments in the series, ensuring its relevance over time as a fitting conclusion to the PS1 trilogy.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis Introduced Several Future Series Mainstays

25 Years Later, RE3: Nemesis is a Fitting Swansong to PS1 Era

Despite the fact that Resident Evil 3: Nemesis seems like a fitting end to a series of games remarkably alike in many aspects, it’s crucial not to underestimate the groundbreaking innovations it introduced to the Resident Evil formula. Even though the game maintains the traditional “tank” controls that have long been a source of contention for players regarding the original PS1 trilogy, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was the first game in the series to incorporate the “quick 180” turn, which significantly altered how future games would approach movement and combat.

In the fast-paced world of “Nemesis”, where Jill and Carlos face numerous nimble dangers, that sharp turnaround proved crucial then and continues to be vital in contemporary “Resident Evil” games, regardless of whether they employ ‘tank’ controls or not.

Alongside enhanced movement capabilities and increased threat management options, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis introduced an element that significantly influenced the mechanics of Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes, as well as Resident Evil 7 and 8 – ammo crafting. For the first time in the series, players were not limited to standard ammunition pick-ups; they could collect three different types of Gunpowder, which could be stored in the game’s boxes for later use. In critical situations, players could manufacture additional ammunition, creating a balance between the series’ original challenge level and a more action-oriented atmosphere in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis’ ‘Fight or Flight’ Moments Are One of the Series’ Best Tricks

25 Years Later, RE3: Nemesis is a Fitting Swansong to PS1 Era

Back in the day, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was more than just its groundbreaking inventory and movement mechanics – it was those tense Live Selection moments that truly made it shine. These segments, sadly omitted from the 2020 remake, were a unique feature where I, as the player, had to make split-second decisions: do I stand my ground against Nemesis or scramble for safety? The choice to engage meant higher risks but potentially rewarding outcomes. Those moments set it apart from its two incredible predecessors in a way that’s hard to forget.

In simpler terms, this system hasn’t appeared in another Resident Evil game yet, but its inclusion in Nemesis is what makes it a must-play title within the series.

In the remake of “Resident Evil 3”, many elements of the original game’s action-focused combat and scenario design are preserved, but some players might find it less satisfying due to the removal of Live Selection moments, replaced instead with encounters against Nemesis. Given that the events in this game overlap with those in “Resident Evil 2”, some people may consider “Resident Evil 3: Nemesis” as not being crucial to the “RE” series lore. However, skipping out on the original’s well-crafted scripted scenes, engaging gunplay, and groundbreaking series advancements means missing a fitting farewell to the period that gave rise to the entire series.

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2024-09-23 00:13