Republished on Monday, 31st October 2016: We're bringing this article back from the archives to celebrate Hallowe'en today. The original text follows.
Originally published on Wednesday, 29th October 2014: It goes without saying that in lists of top titles from the survival horror genre, a Resident Evil release is bound to find its way into every one. Whether it's the classic game's memorable sequel Resident Evil 2 or the revolutionary, timeless Resident Evil 4, there are several worthy entries to choose from in the series. What always astonishes me, though, is that Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is rarely mentioned whenever survival horror games or Resident Evil in particular are brought up in conversation.
Personally, I consider it to be one of the best in Capcom's franchise, and a heart pounding, terrifying experience that's tough to top. Honestly, the likes of Dead Space and many of the Resident Evil games fail to keep me in a constant state of terror. But though I love these titles, and think that they're definitely scary in their own ways, Nemesis is the only one that I've played that accomplishes this feat most notably. It's simply one of the most pure, rewarding, and exhilarating survival horror games out there.
While there are plenty of people who understandably complain about the archaic, “tank controls" of older Resident Evil games, I find them to be an essential ingredient. Turning around slowly and having to shoot while standing still are examples of how cautious and strategic players must be, and Nemesis improved upon its predecessors by streamlining character movement and adding meaningful mechanics – such as the dodge and 180-degree turn moves – that paved the way for new enemy AI behaviour and overall better gameplay. It may feel dated to some, but the game has objectively solid design and features that took Resident Evil to new heights.
The greatest change brought to Nemesis was ammo creation. Instead of the typical clips and magazines for rifles, shotguns, and whatnot, you need to be constantly alert for three kinds of gunpowder throughout the game's environments. You dictate what ammo you receive by mixing it together in various ways, so you're free to use whatever weapon you want depending on what gunpowder you discover, but also must be aware of what's needed for future encounters with particular enemies like the titular Nemesis. In fact, since I was not careful with my usage of gunpowder during my first playthrough, I had to start the game over because it was impossible to defeat Nemesis with my low ammo count near the ending.
This prompted me to pay far more attention to what I created and used for my firearms the second time around, especially for the grenade launcher, which not only fires standard explosives, but ones infused with either (making assumptions here) liquid nitrogen, acid, or napalm. Despite the upsetting setback, I still found replaying the game, to my surprise, more rewarding; my conservativeness and caution with ammo paid off when I finally got to lay down the hurt on Nemesis where he stopped me before, and it felt incredible to watch him fall before the awesome Jill Valentine.
As for the big man himself, Nemesis is a nightmarish piece of work. His stature, strength, mutilated body, and rocket launcher lend him a grotesque, intimidating presence, only made more nerve-racking since he can come around any corner with frightening speed at any moment. While it's possible to defeat him in unscripted encounters to acquire special items, he's only meant for the skilled and bravest players to take on, which I was only able to accomplish once.
Regardless, I believe that this thrill ride perfectly combines feelings of vulnerability and courage throughout the entire experience, which can have you going from one spectrum of these emotions to the other at a moment's notice. Although Nemesis' unpredictable patterns had me on edge more than any other game, I loved weighing in the risks of retreating or fighting him if I kept my cool and played smart. In summary, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is one of the greatest survival horror titles in my book, and should be on your list of games to play this Hallowe'en – even if you'll probably end up a Jill sandwich at the hands of Nemesis multiple times.
Do you agree that Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is an underrated nasty? Look behind you in the comments section below.
Comments 35
Cracking game! Had so much fun on this game when I was young(er).
Classic resident evils are sublime!
The only resident evil game I haven't enjoyed is 6 which IMO is utter garbage. Not sure which I've played but pretty sure I've played this,
My first Resident Evil... the memories... It was also the game which gave birth to the Mercenaries mode!!!
Also... DO YOU WANT S.T.A.R.S.? I'LL GIVE YOU S.T.A.R.S.!!!!
Personally I enjoyed Resident Evil 6 myself, while 1-5 I kept dying at the beginning.
I like to pretended Resident Evil 6 never happened.
I never got past the bit where he exploded into a load of tentacles. I did kill him in a hallway once after an encounter with an army dude. Good times.
@Gnoll Ah, yes! Everybody loves that mode. However, I played the game about two years ago and only played the campaign. I wanted to get straight to RE4 after it!
@wagleton Doesn't that happen after that guy (I forget his name) sacrifices himself on the train with a grenade to blow up Nemesis? You're exploring that church (?) and Nemesis eventually arrives with his suit torn apart? Or is that the part in the laboratory where he's this big mess of tentacles? I remember the former being the hardest part for me; you know, the battle with him after he shoots down the helicopter. That's what I'm referring to in this piece, actually.
All three original RE games got Gamecube re-makes later on. I actually own the first. I'd like to play all three of those, someday!
@DrJoeystein
No he was still "human" when he shot the heli down (damn I thought I had finished the game!!!). I think the tentacle form was in the laboratories after he killed Nikolai.
@Gnoll Yeah, that's right. He just used more of the tentacles in his body (I think) during that point in the game to try and grab you. And yes, that's why that part was so great! You think you've finally defeated him, but he's back for more in one of the hardest fights in my opinion.
He definitely transformed into that huge, mutated blog of tentacles in the laboratory. You're right on that, too. By the way, I wrote my last post in a hurry, so I said "chemicals" instead of "tentacles" for some reason. Fixed it though. Just clarifying if that was confusing.
@NintendoNaut
That's not even close to correct. Lol. Only RE1 got a remake on GC. The other two RE games on GC were RE Zero & RE4.
But back to the original topic.....while I loved all the early RE games up until 5, I always thought RE3 was the weakest, by far, of the 4. Still a great game, though. It's just that the other 3 were legendary titles.
@hadlee73
The Resident Evil GC remake is being ported to the PS3 & PS4. It will have new controls & updated visuals.
No word on Resident Evil Zero getting the same treatment, but I hope it does. I thought that game was underrated.
@hadlee73 Sone of them actually weren't really scripted. From what I know, he can show up randomly in some locations depending on some of the things you do. Without any warning, he'd come blazing down an alleyway as the freaky music kicked in, and I was caught way off guard a lot. Yes, there are definitely scripted moments, but some aren't. And if they are, they sure don't seem like it!
@Godsire- Actually, Nemesis did come out for the GameCube, but I've heard it wasn't a good port. Can't confirm that at the moment though. I know nothing about a RE2 remaster, but I'm glad I looked it up because it actually exists! Never would've guessed. But I don't think any of them are considered remasters of the original games.
It's actually a tie for me between RE3 and RE4. I'd probably go with the latter as my favorite though. RE2 is next, then RE1, RE5, and RE6 last (not counting spin offs). I think all three of the first games were classics, but that's just me. I thought each one was a little better than the last, leading up to the supreme RE4, even if it's not the scariest game of the bunch that also loses some of its survival horror purity.
@DrJoeystein @Godsire- Yup! All three games were released for the Gamecube!
@NintendoNaut
Resident Evil 2 & 3 were not remastered for Gamecube like they did with Resident Evil 1. If I am wrong......proof please.....lol.
@Godsire- I did some research, and you are right in the sense that 2&3 were never "remastered." The GCN release of the first game is full remake, and 2&3 are direct ports. But all I was trying to imply, as I said in comment #17, was that all three games were released for the GCN--Which they were. Instead of being a snarky jerk and saying I "wasn't even close to correct," you might have just educated me and said that "Only the first game is a remake, the other two are ports."
Actually, you were incorrect as well since you stated that "The other two RE games on GC were RE Zero & RE4." Even though 2&3 are ports, they are still games released on GCN, and are part of the library--In addition to Zero and RE4.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi @Splat @Gnoll @DrJoeystein @KelticDevil @naut Which one of the resi games do you think was best? I really liked resi 1.
The gc remake was really creepy as well. Those shadows!!! Nemesis for me is well down the list
Resi 1
Resi 2
Resi 4
Resi 5
Nemesis
Resi 6
3 is actually my favorite, If I was to make one tweak it would be to make nemesis progressively stronger after each time he's "killed", they didn't do that did they?
I really like Nemesis, it's actually one of my favourites. It falls down by not having the interesting characters of the first game like Barry or Wesker. But the Nemesis coming out of nowhere and chasing you through the streets and corridors is implemented really well, especially for a PSone game. He feels almost unstoppable and the fact you can actually take him down each time for special rewards is really awesome. Although taking him down on your first encounter is really nails. I remember the bit where he rips a door off its hinges to get to you, thus removing a loading screen area, that was pretty unexpected! And the Mercenary mode was a hell of a lot of fun too.
Resident evil 3 is hardly underrated
From what I see, there are plenty of people who love number 3 and it got a good reception on release - I think it's just not held up as high as some others in the series.
However, I loved Resident Evil: Nemesis. From what I recall it was the first one where you could walk down most staricases in real time, and zombies would actually climb them too! Also, I though the ammo powder was a nice idea, but it's a shame they didn't take it further. But for me, the REmake of the first game still takes the undead crown.
Resi 3 is the worst from first trilogy.
My fave of the first 3 Resident games. Bought them all on PS Store last week for vita/ps3 for £4.80. Great value. Playing through them all. Halfway through 2 n really looking forward to 3. If Nemesis was released 1st people would appreciate it more. Being 3rd, I think people were just used to the resi formula by then. Defo deserves more recognition as it's a fantastic game.
The correct order of RE greatness is, of course, like so:
RE1
RE3
RE2
RE4
RE5
RE6
I was always a big fan of nemesis rounded out the ps1 trilogy really nicely played again on GameCube earlier this year and it's still a blast
RE2
RE (remake)
RE4
RE3
RE5
RE CV
RE0
RE survivor
RE6
@kyleforrester87 I think that's a fair assessment although I would be very tempted to move RE4 higher up.
@LieutenantFatman To be honest, RE4 is so different to those previous it's hard to rank them in the same group as 1, 2 and 3. But despite RE4's positive points (for which there are many!), lots of the things introduced went on to spoil what made the franchise great to begin with. So if you look at 1/2/3 as the old school resi's, and 4/5/6 as the new ones, it's pretty clear they need to go back to basics somewhat if the series is to become great again.
So, 1/2 and 3 take the top spot for that reason in my opinion
@kyleforrester87 That makes sense! Resident Evil going back to old school survival horror would be great but they are very resistant to the idea unfortunately. Like so many others, Capcom really want a piece of that CoD pie. Maybe one day us old school fans will get what we want, fingers crossed!
@LieutenantFatman Yep! I actually loved 5 co-op with a friend, and parts of 6 were okay. But I think we all want the series to start looking backwards a little bit now!
@ToddlerNaruto Someone need to slap you around....
@Flaming_Kaiser I recently re-played Resident Evil 5 and managed to beat it though, and I imagine RE4 would also be easier with my extra experience.
So just RE1-3 that would be impossible at the moment.
Dude, I really want to see this game as remaster~
Loved nemesis
My favorite of the original trilogy. The formula was expanded, perfected, and had much better gameplay than 1 and 2. I would say it is the least "survival-horrorish" of the 3, but it is the one i go back and play over the first two.
The problem with bringing these articles back is I see my old comments and wonder where the hell a year went!
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