Resident Evil 3

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Resident Evil 3 are varied. Some critics, such as Digital Spy and Softpedia, appreciate the game's connection to the original story and the inclusion of new elements and surprises. They mention that the story is well-designed, intense, and engaging. The Digital Fix also praises the expanded storyline, which adds depth to the characters and bridges the story with Resident Evil 2. The chemistry between Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira is highlighted by Screen Rant and Easy Allies, who find their evolving relationship to be enjoyable and compelling. The story is described as a fresh hybrid experience by Comicbook.com, which trades away some of the franchise's signature horror elements for a more action-oriented approach. On the other hand, several critics express disappointment with the story of Resident Evil 3. PC Gamer, Metro GameCentral, and Cubed3 criticize the lack of depth and one-dimensional characters. Metro GameCentral also describes the story as bland, while PC Gamer mentions a narrative through-line so flimsy that the reviewer kept forgetting what they were doing or why. PLAY! Zine and Twinfinite express disappointment with the lack of content and missed opportunities to expand upon the lore of the series. Digitally Downloaded mentions the lack of quiet moments for characterization and scene-setting, which could have enhanced the storytelling. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the story of Resident Evil 3. While some appreciate the game's connection to the original story, the inclusion of new elements, and the chemistry between the main characters, others criticize the lack of depth, one-dimensional characters, and missed opportunities for storytelling. The story is described as intense and engaging by some, while others find it lacking in depth and variety compared to its predecessor, Resident Evil 2 Remake. Despite the mixed opinions, it is clear that the story of Resident Evil 3 has both its strengths and weaknesses, leaving room for improvement in future installments.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Resident Evil 3, highlighting various positive aspects. Many critics commended the tight controls and responsive mechanics, with several mentioning the addition of a dodge move as a positive gameplay enhancement. The dodge mechanic was specifically mentioned by critics such as Cubed3, Impulsegamer, and Comicbook.com. They found it to be a valuable tool for survival and praised its contribution to the overall gameplay experience. The shooting mechanics were also widely praised, with critics from Digitally Downloaded, God is a Geek, and The Games Machine mentioning the precise and exciting gunplay as a standout feature. The addition of new combat mechanics, such as the quickstep dodge and the ability to counter enemies, was also appreciated by reviewers from EGM and GameCrate. The gameplay was described as intense, challenging, and rewarding, with different enemies requiring different strategies to defeat, as mentioned by God is a Geek. However, there were also some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics pointed out. One common criticism was the linearity of the game, with several reviewers, including PC Gamer, AusGamers, and VG247, expressing disappointment in the lack of exploration and the prescribed paths that players were funneled down. The limited interactivity within the environments and the absence of intricate spaces were also mentioned as downsides by VG247. GameCritics criticized the focus on fast-paced action and setpieces, stating that it diminished the emphasis on puzzles, keys, and backtracking that are traditionally associated with the Resident Evil series. The ease of defeating the Nemesis boss was also mentioned by GameCritics, making the encounter feel redundant. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the gameplay of Resident Evil 3 is very good, with the majority of reviewers praising its tight controls, responsive mechanics, and intense action sequences. The addition of the dodge mechanic, improved combat mechanics, and satisfying gunplay were highlighted as positive aspects. However, the linearity of the game and the reduced emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving were mentioned as drawbacks. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics finding the gameplay experience to be enjoyable and rewarding.

The majority of critics praised the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 3, considering them to be very good. Many critics commended the level of detail in the character models and environments, with some stating that they were among the best they had ever seen in a game. PC Gamer noted that the streets of Raccoon City had a different feel from Resident Evil 2's police station, with larger, more open spaces connected by alleyways and tunnels. The Guardian mentioned that the game featured modernized versions of familiar locations and provided a well-executed modern refresh of a survival horror classic. GameSpace also highlighted the impressive upgrades and sense of scale and grandeur in the design. Comicbook.com praised the open settings of Raccoon City, noting that they contributed to an action vibe and made the city feel alive despite being in shambles. Hardcore Gamer mentioned the highly detailed character models and environments, further emphasizing the positive aspects of the graphics and visual design. However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 3. GameSpace mentioned that the design features lost their shine when looked at closely, suggesting that there might be some flaws in the finer details. GameCrate noted that while the graphics, animation, and visual design had improved compared to its predecessor, the city of Raccoon City felt generic and lacked the same level of personality and atmosphere as the Raccoon City Police Department in Resident Evil 2. PCGamesN criticized the slightly limited gore effects and reduced collision physics compared to the previous game, which made the world feel less realistic. Hardcore Gamer also mentioned frame rate issues with distant models and lip-syncing issues during gameplay, indicating that there were some technical issues that affected the overall visual experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 3 were very good. The majority of critics praised the level of detail in the character models and environments, with some considering them to be among the best in the industry. The open settings of Raccoon City were also appreciated for contributing to the overall atmosphere and action vibe of the game. However, there were some criticisms regarding the design features losing their shine upon closer inspection, the generic feel of Raccoon City, and technical issues such as frame rate and lip-syncing problems. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics considering the graphics and visual design of Resident Evil 3 to be impressive and visually appealing.

The majority of the critics praised the sound design and music of Resident Evil 3, highlighting its effectiveness in creating a tense and immersive atmosphere. The ambient sounds, such as the screams and moans of enemies, the sound of footsteps in dark alleys, and the iconic lines like "S.T.A.R.S.", were mentioned as contributing factors to the overall experience (LaPS4, Softpedia). The intense gravitas and weight of Nemesis' footsteps were also singled out as standout sound design elements (Digitally Downloaded). The audio cues and effects were described as fantastic, creating a chilling and tense experience (God is a Geek). Additionally, the soundtrack was praised for its remixes of memorable songs from the original game and the voice acting was commended for its improvement compared to Resident Evil 2, with more natural performances and engaging dialogue (Hardcore Gamer). However, there were a few critics who had some negative feedback regarding the sound design and music. GameCrate mentioned that while the voice acting had improved, the actual written dialogue was not great and the game lacked memorable music and sound design. Game Rant also felt that the game lacked the unnerving atmosphere of the original, with action music and explosions instead of creepy music, and some moments were loud and annoying. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of Resident Evil 3 were very good. The immersive and atmospheric sound design, along with the chilling soundtrack and fantastic voice work, were praised for enhancing the overall experience (Impulsegamer, Press Start Australia, Xbox Achievements). The majority of the critics appreciated the realistic and immersive sound design, which added to the tension and created a sense of terror (Cultured Vultures, The Sydney Morning Herald). The sound design was also noted for its ability to guide players and create a sense of direction, as well as its contribution to the constant tension and atmosphere (GameSpace, TheXboxHub). The positive feedback from multiple critics supports the notion that the sound design and music of Resident Evil 3 were successful in enhancing the horror experience and immersing players in the game's world.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the voice acting in Resident Evil 3, it is evident that the majority of critics have positive views on the performances. Several reviewers specifically praise the voice acting of Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira, with Nicole Tompkins' portrayal of Jill receiving particular acclaim. Critics like Critical Hit, Daily Star, and Gaming Nexus highlight the amazing voice actors and their ability to bring depth and believability to the characters. The Digital Fix and Wccftech also note the improvement in voice acting compared to previous games in the series, with the cast delivering fantastic performances and adding spark and nuance to their characters. On the other hand, some reviewers express mixed opinions on the dialogue and writing. GameCrate mentions that while the voice acting has improved, the actual written dialogue is not great. GameCritics and Noisy Pixel comment on the shallow and generic dialogue, with GameCritics noting the lack of meaningful character interaction due to the game's heavy focus on action. However, these criticisms seem to be overshadowed by the overall positive sentiment towards the voice acting performances. Taking into account the opinions of the various critics, the overall consensus is that the voice acting in Resident Evil 3 is highly praised. The performances are described as brilliant, top-notch, superb, and excellent. The voice actors successfully bring depth, emotion, and relatability to the characters, making them feel human and likable. The chemistry between the main duo, Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira, is particularly highlighted as driving the story home and adding to the overall enjoyment. While there are some criticisms regarding the dialogue and writing, the positive reception of the voice acting performances outweighs these concerns. Overall, the voice acting in Resident Evil 3 is considered a standout aspect of the game, enhancing the player's immersion and enjoyment.

In terms of the technical performance of Resident Evil 3, there are several positive aspects highlighted by the critics. The game seems to run smoothly on the PlayStation 5, with faster load times and basic support for the adaptive triggers of the PS5 controller, as mentioned by Push Square. Digital Chumps also praises the game on the PlayStation 4, noting that it maintains a consistent sixty-frames per second and feels professionally produced. New Game Network adds that the game runs smoothly on the PS4, with no crashes or issues, and Softpedia mentions that it runs at a smooth 60 fps on the PS4. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics regarding the technical performance on different gaming platforms. Hardcore Gamer points out frame rate issues with distant models and lip-syncing issues during gameplay, as well as connection issues and wonky animations in the Resistance multiplayer mode. Cubed3 reports technical flaws on the PC version, such as sudden frame-rate drops and stutters. GameWatcher mentions minor graphical hiccups and lag issues in the multiplayer mode on PC, potentially due to poor internet. Attack of the Fanboy, on the other hand, states that the game runs like a dream on every platform, suggesting a more positive experience overall. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the technical performance of Resident Evil 3 is generally solid across multiple gaming platforms. The game runs smoothly on the PlayStation 4, with no major crashes or issues, as mentioned by Impulsegamer and New Game Network. The PlayStation 5 version also benefits from faster load times and adaptive trigger support, as highlighted by Push Square. However, there are some technical flaws reported on the PC version, including frame-rate drops and stutters, as mentioned by Cubed3. Despite these issues, the overall sentiment suggests that the game performs well on most platforms, with only minor hiccups and occasional performance problems during intense boss battles, as noted by Press Start Australia.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Resident Evil 3 are mixed. Some critics highlight positive aspects that contribute to the game's replayability. For example, GameCrate mentions the inclusion of a shop and multiple difficulties as factors that add to the replay value. Trusted Reviews also acknowledges the unlockables and ability to speedrun the game as elements that enhance replayability. Additionally, Gaming Nexus emphasizes the ability to play through the game again with unlocked weapons and modifiers, as well as the presence of challenges to complete. On the other hand, several critics express concerns about the game's replay value. GameCritics, Nintendo Life, and VG247 all mention the lack of branching paths and character outcomes from the original game as disappointing and limiting the desire to replay. Cubed3 also points out that the game lacks incentive to replay, except for higher difficulty modes, unlockables, and speedrunning. Telegraph and App Trigger both indicate a lack of desire to replay the game, suggesting low replay value. Furthermore, TheGamer mentions that the game lacks branching paths and does not provide enough information about its replayability. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Resident Evil 3 has some replay value, but it falls short compared to its predecessor, Resident Evil 2. The linear structure of the game, shorter duration, and absence of alternate scenarios and multiple endings are frequently cited as limiting factors. However, the inclusion of unlockables, challenges, additional difficulty modes, and the multiplayer component, Resident Evil Resistance, are seen as positive aspects that contribute to the game's replayability. Critics such as Guardian and PCMag mention the enduring popularity and value provided by the multiplayer mode. While there are positive elements that enhance replayability, the overall sentiment suggests that Resident Evil 3 may not offer as much replay value as fans of the series might have hoped for.