Randomly Mine: Repeating History (Patreon)

Weeks ago, I wrote about how DOOM Eternal (a great game) ironically put its franchise in the position where a potential third installment could repeat DOOM 3 from 2004, where the game's generally praised for its technology but whose launch is contentious among fans for not continuing the brand's action-FPS origins.

Whether this repeat occurs or not depends on how ID Software Make a new DOOM 3, or even if they end up making it at all. But I bring this up because the recently released Resident Evil 3 Remake, I believe, has become an example of this.

Resident Evil 2 Remake was one of the most highly regarded games of 2019 by critics and players alike. Shipping millions of units, raking tons of players and playtime, and even being nominated for several awards, including game of the year. To remake Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, seems perfectly natural. The original PS1 game itself even reused assets from Resident Evil 2, giving Capcom license to use all the amazing technology they previously used, and re-purpose it into another game.

Thing is, prior to release, and seeing Capcom's intention, myself and I'm sure many others realized something... this is a repeat.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is generally well regarded today with the Resident Evil fandom, but as an outsider, I've always noticed how it's a game that's almost always overshadowed by its predecessor. Kind like Max Payne 2, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, or Wolfenstein: Old Blood. Good, or even great games that for whatever reason, don't receive nearly as much coverage. From who I've talked to, this is for several reasons.

Resident Evil 2 was a remarkable sequel to a surprise mega-hit released in one of the most fondly remembered years in-gaming history. Resident Evil 3 (whether you love or hate it) wasn't nearly as overtly progressive of a sequel. It's graphics were of similar fidelity, Raccoon City was revisited, and most controversially, the Police Station from RE2 was copy/pasted.

Critics praised the game for it's unique qualities, improved artistry, and established top-notch atmosphere, but with the Dreamcast launching to demonstrate next-gen graphics, and the much hyped PS2 only a year away, Nemesis was often labelled as "Resident Evil 2.5" and in-development terms that's not even inaccurate. Code Veronica was originally billed as the third mainline entry, while Nemesis was made by a less experienced B-Team of Capcom.

Why bring this up?

Because Resident Evil 3 Remake, despite being a vastly different game than the original Nemesis, is almost identical in response.

Critics are praising the game's unique qualities from RE2R, improved artistry, and established top-notch atmosphere, but with these assets and style at least in-part, already seen (in the midst of a new console-generation) isn't powering the hype-train.

Resident Evil 2 Remake was a remarkable confirmation of Capcom's efforts to reviving the franchise's roots, thought to never be seen again with Triple AAA quality after more profitable action-titles. Resident Evil 3 Remake (whether you love it or hate it) isn't nearly as progressive of an entry for the franchise as Capcom's previous installment. Using RE2R's framework for an action-emphasis the originally mechanics weren't built for.

But unlike Nemesis, it's unique qualities aren't as numerous. Most significantly, the Live Selections; a new way for Resident Evil to achieve its noteworthy replayablity. Rather than offering two separate characters, they gave reasons for players to revisit Jill's campaign multiple times.

This doesn't exist, and unlike RE2R's implementation of "2nd Run" that somewhat approximated the original's B Scenarios, RE3R doesn't attempt any variation in its campaign.

As a result, I believe Resident Evil 3 Remake may be repeating history at its launch, but is unlikely to repeat it's delayed appreciation.

...I still quite liked it though!