3.5/5 ★ – SoftLockJake's review of Resident Evil 3.

RE3 gets a bad wrap. It's really good! Rather than give a full review for RE3, I'll compare it to RE2 to show where the game succeeds and falters, so please see my RE2 review for more context. My favorite part of RE2 was the puzzle-solving elements and exploration, which RE3 almost completely removed. There are several sections that include traditional lock and key puzzles, but it seemed to me to be more of an obligatory inclusion rather than a truly thought-out system. In favor of this, RE3 takes on more of a linear horror-action blockbuster perspective that is very distinct from RE2. I enjoyed these linear segments, and I thought the tight focus the game has is to its benefit instead of its detriment. But, it made the game so incredibly different from RE2 that I wish they just committed to making it a fully linear experience OR a fully realized Resident Evil puzzle map. This in-between takes away from the game's consistency and overall enjoyability. The gameplay is still great outside of my controls nitpicks, and the visuals are SO insanely beautiful that the only other gripe I have with RE3 is that the dodge and parry mechanics were cool, but largely optional. I would have loved more intensive segments requiring crafty movement rather than just unloading bullets into waves of undead. Very good game that doesn't overstay its welcome. It isn't too short, it's just right.