I just finished it. A lot has been made of the length and it took me exactly eight hours to finish. So not massively long, but also not terrible either. That said, this is a game that has some issues. I wrote a thing long ago (on now lost G+) about how RE2 remade the game like we remembered, rather than how it actually was. It was a brilliant magic trick. Here, it feels they’ve remade the game closer to how it actually was and is less good for it. RE3 is a shorter, more action focused, and a generally less perfect version of RE2. As ever was it so.
The opening section, as shown in the demo, is probably the highlight of the game. It’s the most “RE2″ bit, with multiple pathways, a mean monster chasing you, and lots of zombie heads to pop. It throws lots more enemies at you than previously but this time gives you more tools to deal with them, like grenades and exploding barrels. It’s a fun section and if the whole game was like it would be fine.
Sadly, the rest doesn’t fare so well. The following generally involves hub areas interspersed by corridor action bits and large action set pieces. After being chased relentlessly through the opening you only meet the nemesis in preordained boss fights, each one attempting to ramp up the tension. These set pieces, while visually impressive, are not hugely engaging or fun, and like every boss fight in every game ever are generally a bit pants.
The hub areas with puzzles are disappointingly straightforward, after some of the mindbendingness of RE2, and rather than ramp up as the game goes, actually get a bit simpler. Even the big final puzzle is pretty simple and can be completed without much thought. There are different enemy types introduced but fighting them generally involves finding out which of your weapons is the right one to bring them down in a couple of hits. Figuring out which weapon to use on which enemy is a bit of a challenge and can lead to some hairy moments with low health and bullets, but once you’ve figured it out it’s back to business as usual.
It is generally a fun game, but so much less than its predecessor. It’s been a long time since I played RE3 originally, around 20 years in fact, so I can’t remember if it sticks close to the original or not. But overall it just feels a bit slight, not just in terms of length, but also in terms of puzzles and mechanics. It feels like it’s been slightly phoned-in. Maybe there is a reason they were able to turn it around in 12 months.
It’s still worth playing, but I’d pick it up in a sale later in the year.