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LttP: Resident Evil 2

I've been playing RE3 all day. Saved and quit after forming the chronos gear and making the clock tower ring.

Honestly, RE3 seems every bit as good as RE2. It's like a scarier, more dynamic and challenging take on RE2. If RE2 is Dark Souls, RE3 is Bloodborne.

And that means both are fantastic. :-)
 
One of the best games ever made. I had started a playthrough over the weekend and experimented with the BZR filters in Dolphin's Ishikura builds. It can be a little waxy, but sometimes the results are pretty great:

Here you can see the diagonals on the van and the boxes at the bottom clean up very well:
Off
BRZ

This one shows off more improvement on the diagonals:
Off
BRZ

I've noticed a few details that I never had before this playthrough. For instance, in the pictures of the van I posted, you can see the city bus you end up crossing through over the top of the van.

In this shot, you can see the green fire escape you have to climb earlier in the upper right background along with the billboard that hangs from it. I never noticed the continuity in the street locations like this.
Also, I never stopped to take in the fact that this guy has been stabbed in the back to death with a whole set of knives. Scenes like this give you an idea of the chaos and carnage that must have unfolded before you arrived.
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I'll agree that the game is a little too easy overall; ink ribbons and handgun ammo especially are abundant. But the B scenario makes up for that with Mr. X and the generally tougher arrangements. Plus, I think the fear in this game is driven more by the great visuals and sound than the ammo limitations. The creaking floors in the police department still creep me out; I really hope they keep that sound when redoing the game.

RE3 had the most solid gameplay of them all. Remember the instant turn and the ability to evade attacks with timing, 2 amazing additions.

The dodge system was a good idea with poor implementation. The action button you use for everything should not have been the trigger. I don't know how many times I've waited for a dog to charge me so I could shotgun blast it, only to end up dodging instead and then having to deal with a dog behind me. It generally feels inconsistent and unreliable. When it happens, it's usually a "oh, that's a nice surprise" rather than an expected outcome. I think Revelations 2 got this move done the correct way by giving you a dedicated dodge button.

The sound effects in the game were something else too. Most of the best ones revolved around Birkin as well.

The gushing air bubble sounds when his eye is opening and looking around are disgustingly terrific.
 
Funny how other, or more people playing the game has no bearing on the quality of it. Although to flip that, I wonder why more people were playing RE2 compared to RE3 on just the PSX alone? Series fatigue already? Doubtful.

It had a better cast, and a more interesting story. The pacing was also superior. The only thing that RE3 really improved on was the gunplay. Even then, it was no RE4.

Because by the time RE3 came out the genre had a bunch of other games for competition, including ones like Silent Hill or even from Capcom like Dino Crisis which released shortly before it. RE3 was also on the tail end of the generation so less time to sell, didn't even have enough time to be released as a platinum hits title like RE2 did.

Only thing better is gunplay? Just ignoring my list of better features not present in RE2. You're not being objective at all with the last few comments. RE2 can be your fav but such comments are nonsense.

RE2 pacing as also not good, far too much time spent in the RPD with no encounters that challenge resource management aside from basic enemies, it's not until you leave that you encounter your first boss battle by which time you're overloaded with resources, against a boss that barely moves as well. It's very bad.

Am I correct in assuming that RE3 blew minds visually at the time? Even now, these super-detailed backdrops are amazing.

Burning trolleys, fire trucks, police cars and buses everywhere. Huge variety of storefronts, signage, landscaping, etc. The gridlock traffic around the gas station and the restaurant interior are particularly impressive.

This would look insane with a remake. Hopefully Capcom will consider RE3, too.

Yes RE3 was praised heavily. People note the great upgrade to the FMV character models, the new game mechanics, the environments being more dynamic and interactable, with zombies breaking open car doors and such, the custscenes showing more, unique angles and the presentation being overall better.

Some people liked RE2 having 2 characters and the A/B scenario thing, even though RE3 offers much more variety than all 4 of RE2s scenarios combined.
 
RE2 pacing as also not good, far too much time spent in the RPD with no encounters that challenge resource management aside from basic enemies, it's not until you leave that you encounter your first boss battle by which time you're overloaded with resources, against a boss that barely moves as well. It's very bad.
The RPD introduces lickers very early on and surprises you with new placements of them as you progress. Bear in mind that hunters, the equivalent enemy in RE1, didn't show up until over the halfway point of the game. The RPD also has some surprise moments where zombies will flood the hallways, not to mention that Mr. X is frequently attacking in the B scenario. I think the challenge is just fine. I've never, ever thought to myself "this section needs more bosses." It gives you some time to focus on the puzzle solving and really immerse yourself in the environment. They never let you settle into complacency; right when you're starting to let your guard down and feel comfortable is when they throw the new lickers or zombies at you. The flow of new items and areas is great, which is why the game gets praised for pacing. It's not just about enemy encounters.
 
Gonna pick this and RE3 up cuz why not, it's cheaper than 2 coffees.

How scared will I be though? I have a soft spot for RE games even though I typically don't play scary games.
 
The RPD introduces lickers very early on and surprises you with new placements of them as you progress. Bear in mind that hunters, the equivalent enemy in RE1, didn't show up until over the halfway point of the game. The RPD also has some surprise moments where zombies will flood the hallways, not to mention that Mr. X is frequently attacking in the B scenario. I think the challenge is just fine. I've never, ever thought to myself "this section needs more bosses." It gives you some time to focus on the puzzle solving and really immerse yourself in the environment. They never let you settle into complacency; right when you're starting to let your guard down and feel comfortable is when they throw the new lickers or zombies at you. The flow of new items and areas is great, which is why the game gets praised for pacing. It's not just about enemy encounters.

RE1 is very limited on resources compared to RE2/3, and still had the giant Snake boss battle fairly early in the game. Lickers barely feature in the RPD during the A scenario. Both A scenarios are generally bad for pacing. B scenario only is where it improves, but as I said, leaving the room neutralising the Tyrant doesn't test the players resource management at all.

Gonna pick this and RE3 up cuz why not, it's cheaper than 2 coffees.

How scared will I be though? I have a soft spot for RE games even though I typically don't play scary games.

They were never 'scary' games. They just did a good job of breeding tension and panic.
 
This game will forever be one of the greatest treasures to me. Words cannot describe what my expectations are for this new HD version.
 
Gonna pick this and RE3 up cuz why not, it's cheaper than 2 coffees.

How scared will I be though? I have a soft spot for RE games even though I typically don't play scary games.

Scary is about on par with the 1st Terminator film. It has a bunch of scary moments and tension throughout but it's not really frightening. It's not like a Silent Hill.
 
Lickers barely feature in the RPD during the A scenario.

You fight your first one only several rooms in, and from then on they regularly pop out and deliver surprise attacks. One jumps through the interrogation room window, another is up on the bell tower balcony, there are several that ambush you in the basement, and at least one more surprises you at the fire ladder in the main hall. There are enough of them that they're a constant threat, to the point where they almost single-handedly justify carrying the shotgun at all times. They factor in just as much as the hunters did in the mansion.

That just reminded me of how shitty the bowgun is in Claire's file. I really hope the retool that or replace it entirely in the remake. The fucking thing can't kill a licker in less than two or three hits and, unlike the shotgun, won't even stun them to give you protection from attack. Leon's guns are so much better than Claire's it's not funny, even without the upgrades. It's another reason why ClaireA-LeonB is the best scenario... it only makes sense to use those badass guns against Mr. X.
 
You fight your first one only several rooms in, and from then on they regularly pop out and deliver surprise attacks. One jumps through the interrogation room window, another is up on the bell tower balcony, there are several that ambush you in the basement, and at least one more surprises you at the fire ladder in the main hall. There are enough of them that they're a constant threat, to the point where they almost single-handedly justify carrying the shotgun at all times. They factor in just as much as the hunters did in the mansion.

That just reminded me of how shitty the bowgun is in Claire's file. I really hope the retool that or replace it entirely in the remake. The fucking thing can't kill a licker in less than two or three hits and, unlike the shotgun, won't even stun them to give you protection from attack. Leon's guns are so much better than Claire's it's not funny, even without the upgrades. It's another reason why ClaireA-LeonB is the best scenario... it only makes sense to use those badass guns against Mr. X.

Bowgun isn't bad if you use it up close. Also you're mixing A and B licker appearances. Also they don't ambush you anywhere except the the interregation room, and that ambush can be avoided.
 
Bowgun isn't bad if you use it up close. Also you're mixing A and B licker appearances. Also they don't ambush you anywhere except the the interregation room, and that ambush can be avoided.

Not true. I'm playing Claire A right now and I fought all those lickers before leaving the RPD. The only one I'm aware of that happens on B and not A off the top of my head is the one that breaks through the glass ceiling near Iron's office.

I get where you're coming from with the argument that 3 has better pacing. I don't personally agree, but I think they're both very well paced and designed games. I certainly wouldn't say one has bad pacing in comparison to the other.
 
Good for its time. Although I find it hard to go back to. The gameplay changes in Remake and RE3 made those games more repayable to me.
 
Gotta agree with Stallion Dan that the Lickers and Mr. X aren't very threatening.

For every single Mr. X encounter except the end, I just ran straight into him, took a hit, then ran past him. Once you leave the area, he's gone. It's almost comical. :-)

For each Licker, equip the magnum/shotgun/grenade launcher and aim down when close, or straight ahead when far away. All it takes is one magnum round up close, three shotgun shells from afar or two up close, and two grenade rounds at pretty much any distance.

They give you so much ammo, so many herbs, so many ink ribbons and so many save points that there's virtually no fear facing the Lickers or Mr. X. Or, well, anything.

But that's OK. RE2 isn't scary or challenging, in either scenario, but it's still one of the most fun games I've ever played.

RE3 is just as fun, but it's a LOT scarier and WAY more challenging. I'm running on fumes half the time, with six red herbs but no green herbs, and dwindling ammo supplies and a handful of ink ribbons, and the knowledge that backtracking to any save room will bring with it the possibility of zombies bursting of cars, or dogs jumping through fires or storefront windows, or bug-men crawling on walls, or NEMESIS.

RE3 is definitely one of the scariest games in the series for me, second only to REmake. Playing it for the first time after my first time playing RE2 has been amazing. These two games are so good. :-)
 
this thread inspired me to pick up this game again, never really got very far in it. started over today, just got to the cutscene where
ada confronts annette
. how far into leon's campaign am I? i'm having a great time.
 
RE1 is very limited on resources compared to RE2/3, and still had the giant Snake boss battle fairly early in the game. Lickers barely feature in the RPD during the A scenario. Both A scenarios are generally bad for pacing. B scenario only is where it improves, but as I said, leaving the room neutralising the Tyrant doesn't test the players resource management at all.



They were never 'scary' games. They just did a good job of breeding tension and panic.

Scary is about on par with the 1st Terminator film. It has a bunch of scary moments and tension throughout but it's not really frightening. It's not like a Silent Hill.

Cool, thanks guys. I bought RE2 and 3. :) I always had a soft spot for RE since 4 but I never actually played 2 before. I played RE3 a little when I was younger.
 
Cool, thanks guys. I bought RE2 and 3. :) I always had a soft spot for RE since 4 but I never actually played 2 before. I played RE3 a little when I was younger.

Also you should be starting off with Claire. You can choose who to start with but that's canon and a better story.
 
Said it in the series OT, but RE3: Nemesis is shaping up to be a favorite.

Everything in the city up through the trolley escape was sublime. Perfection. Endlessly varied and exciting. Beautifully balanced, well-paced, and downright harrowing at times — hobbling along at length, clutching my sides, little ammo, few herbs, fewer ribbons. Dogs bursting out of storefront windows and jumping through fires; hordes of zombies spilling down alleyways I'd previously cleared out, or climbing out of cars, or crashing through gates, or breaking through windows. And Nemesis showing up when I least expect it. "STAAAAAAAAARRRSSS!"

And when I left off earlier today, I had just assembled the "chronos gear" inside the clocktower and used it to ring the bell. The chapel is like a mini-mansion — a great change of pace from the city proper. I'm eager to see where this game will go next. I'm super-impressed by how "complete" the city feels. Restaurants, stores, warehouses, offices, a parking garage, a gas station, the local newspaper, City Hall, even a return visit to the RPD.

If RE3 can stick the landing, it may be one of my favorite RE titles, full stop. What a great sequel to RE2!

This game was James Cameron's Aliens posing as a Zombie game. Really, the entire Claire story line is just Aliens.

But I loved it all the same. Second Survivor mode just makes this game awesome.

"That guy's a maniac! Why'd he bite me!?"

*drives away*
Haha, I loved that line.

My favorite RE2 line is probably Leon's "It worked!"
 
Played a bit more RE3, defeating Nemesis at the chapel after ringing the bell. A brutal fight where I dodged between shooting grenade rounds, and frantically spammed Circle after being thrown to the ground so I could access my inventory and heal before he grabbed me again. I used my four remaining healing items: two first aid kits, and two G+R mixes. Now I'm playing as Carlos. Eager to find more supplies, but I have stuff to do this week, so might be a few days!
 
I just read I could've skipped the train fight with Nemesis by simply running back to the control room.

Since I have a separate save before that fight, part of me is tempted to try it again, skip the fight and save the ammo.

Other part of me says to just carry on as Carlos, even though Jill is now out of herbs and first aid kits.

I'd rather starve to death in here than be eaTENBY ONE OF THOSE UNDEAD MONSTERSnow LEWWMEALONE
Haha, does anything come of that guy? I backtracked there once or twice but nothing happened.
 
This game was James Cameron's Aliens posing as a Zombie game. Really, the entire Claire story line is just Aliens.

*drives away*

I'm glad I'm not the only who's thought of that. Even the whole laboratory level felt like Aliens.
Love both move and game equally, which is a lot!
 
I remember getting the demo of this with RE1 DC - at least I think it came with RE1 DC. There is so much to love about this game. This topic has made me hungry for a replay, but I don't have a copy anymore. And I just checked steam, but it's not out on pc - just in Japan. Until early last year I use to have a NGC version somewhere.
 
Haha, does anything come of that guy? I backtracked there once or twice but nothing happened.

I don't remember at what point this happens but if you return you find that he did try to leave and got eaten by zombies. There is also his journal you can read.

RE3 is a weird one. It's probably the most fun to play and arguably the best when it comes to gameplay of the classic style RE games but it isn't on my top 3 for some reason. I love the vibes but I love RE1/REmake, RE2 and CVX vibes even more (hell, CVX is one of the worst when it comes to gameplay).
 
This game was James Cameron's Aliens posing as a Zombie game. Really, the entire Claire story line is just Aliens.

But I loved it all the same. Second Survivor mode just makes this game awesome.

"That guy's a maniac! Why'd he bite me!?"

*drives away*

And RE3 is basically Terminator.

Nemesis is the Terminator, Jill is Sarah Connor, Carlos is Kyle Reese. The music heavily recalls Terminator. A lot of the environments resemble scenery from T1 and T2. The final act of both movies
and RE3 takes place in a factory. Then there's the nuclear holocaust scene in T2.

Some of this is a bit nonspecific, but the Nemesis, the music, and the overall vibe makes the game feel a lot like Terminator.

I wish they'd done a classic RE based on the plot of T2. That could be their plot reference if they decide to do a new classic RE after they're done remaking the classic REs.
 
I don't remember at what point this happens but if you return you find that he did try to leave and got eaten by zombies. There is also his journal you can read.

RE3 is a weird one. It's probably the most fun to play and arguably the best when it comes to gameplay of the classic style RE games but it isn't on my top 3 for some reason. I love the vibes but I love RE1/REmake, RE2 and CVX vibes even more (hell, CVX is one of the worst when it comes to gameplay).
Honestly, I don't think I could form a Top Three with this series. I love these games so much that ranking them is nearly impossible.

I do think, however, that RE3 has the best depiction of zombies, e.g. the way you hear people trying to fend them off, only to find them feasting on their prey, or how they travel in packs and repopulate previously clear areas, creating the sense of a place that is truly overrun with the living dead. You have zombies crashing through glass, gnawing at fences, knocking down gates, spilling out of alleyways, piling out of buildings, popping out of cars.

I'm also fascinated by RE3's replayability. It appears that puzzle solutions, enemy arrangements and item locations are semi-randomized, and can change based on the decision moments where you choose from one of two options, or the order you explore the map. And then there are the many types/quantities of ammo or grenade rounds you can make with the crafting system, which seems ripe with strategic potential.

You can even double or triple the number of boss fights by choosing to fight Nemesis instead of fleeing. I hear Nemesis even changes based on your decisions, e.g. using an RPG instead of his tentacle arm. Depending on your choices, you'll also run into him more or less often, or in different places.

I want to see all of the permutations, but at the same time the game is rather tense, so we'll see!
 
Glad to see you're digging the game/series, OP!

Yep, I'd definitely say '98 was gaming's best year (possibly 1990 as second best)

In 1998, it was the year of promised ones - games delayed over and over again and ended up being the GOAT.

For RE2 - the greatest shock for me had to be the GC scenes - it's funny; at the time, I read possibly every preview on the game in magazines (no internet back then for me...) and not one mentioned the cut scenes, so I was blown away...


Fuckin' A
 
Finished Claire A last night. Seeing the Zero environments again fresh off the HD remaster was interesting... I don't have screenshots from 0HD to compare, but it looks very close. They really put a lot of effort into getting them to look the same:

I never thought the tram looked as good in 0, and I think the extreme angle on the shot in RE2 is why. You get a more dramatic view of the moon and warehouse ceiling, and it makes the space seem bigger.

Overall, replaying this game was a mistake. Now I want REmake 2 more badly than ever. Just imagine this place with current gen pre-rendered backdrops. Hell, even the original PS1 backdrops would probably look great if they could be re-rendered in HD like 0HD's were. As long as Capcom sticks with fixed cameras and doesn't totally fuck the basic gameplay up, this will be an incredible game. Hopefully they've learned a lot from revisiting REmake, 0, and RE2 itself to know what they're doing.
"That guy's a maniac! Why'd he bite me!?"

*drives away*

Not as good as "you are delicious, I'll give you that."
 
I mentioned this in the RE community, but I hope RE3: Nemesis also gets a remake.

On the one hand, it doesn't need it as much. It still looks really good, with detailed backgrounds that look surprisingly sharp on an HDTV, and character models/FMV that are nicely upgraded over the last game.

But obviously I'd like to see it with the same audiovisual fidelity as REmake. If they're going to create Raccoon City assets for the RE2 remake, might as well go all-in and create even more for an RE3 remake. After all, REmake HD sold well, and I imagine RE2 will, as well. People will be primed for an RE3 remake.

RE3 seems especially well-suited for this day and age, when other stalker monsters like Slenderman are a viral hit on social media. I could see Nemesis catching on with YouTube personalities, which would help sell the game to the masses.

Here's hoping! Ideally they'd remake both RE2 and RE3 side by side, and package them together as "Raccoon City Saga." But yeah, why package the titles when you can sell them separately for full price!
 
I agree that RE3 is great and underrated, even coming off the heels of a classic like RE2. But maybe that's because I played them years after release and wasn't fatigued by the series then? I dunno but I think the variability of situations was a great touch.

Leon and Claire fo lyfe tho
 
Well, I took your advice OP and came over for a look at your LTTP.
It really is a game that has a special place in my heart. I was 16 when it was released over here in the UK, and I had been reading up about the new RE for roughly about a year in gaming mags, desperate for any new info about the game.
It got scrapped at one point near completion, apparently capcom were unhappy with how it was turning out, which is a shame, because to me it looked amazing.

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So with capcom going back to the drawing board, they released the director's cut with a demo of the version we have today of today. It is slightly different, the Kendo gun shop van isn't in the alley, so you don't cut through the basketball court, and it ends with, well watch it and find out.
For me it rightfully sits at Number 1 in my all time top game list. This game was everything I wanted from the sequel to an already great game. I genuinely am excited to see what capcom do with the Remake of it.
I would like to collect all the versions of the game as well, but the UK PAL N64 version is expensive, but one day I will get it. I even have a sealed copy of the game.com version.
Never played it, it looks shit, but hey Resident Evil though.
There is supposed to be a fan remake of 1.5, where they are taking what was left of the build that got scrapped and finishing it off, but I haven't heard about it for a while, so no idea what's going on with that.
 
3's gameplay is exactly the same, only with even more options like a 180 turn and evading options.



What kind of horrendous filtering is going on here? Stop massacring games with horrible emulator filters, just turn them off!

Let's be honest, the game is going to look like shit no matter what you do. I figured for this run I'd try the filter approach and sometimes it really cleans up the image without otherwise altering it. It's nice to see clean diagonals and circular objects becoming actual circles. Other times, it really does overload on the wax and ends up looking weird. It's a big trade-off.
 
Yep. This is why I say that you can't ever get another "my first" Resident Evil game experience, and if you're going to do it, it should be with either RE (or REmake) or RE2. Wait until after either of those before playing the rest.
I think a good argument to play the original RE first however, and then RE2 is to see just how dramatically Capcom improved essentially everything.



I finished RE3, but it felt like a chore more than anything. I never actually found the Nemesis to be "scary" or challenging, but more of an annoying as shit pace disruptor. The only thing terrifying about him was that he could come to ruin the enjoyment I was getting out of the game at any moment. For that reason, RE3 is easily my least favorite pre 5/6 game.

I actually really like RE3 a lot but agree with the Nemesis hate. I didnt think he added anything but me having to press 'dont fight' and a heavy sigh of annoyance. The rest of the game is great, just not quite as good as the previous two.
 
I actually really like RE3 a lot but agree with the Nemesis hate. I didnt think he added anything but me having to press 'dont fight' and a heavy sigh of annoyance. The rest of the game is great, just not quite as good as the previous two.
Nemesis was so great. Can pop out at any point. Never knew when you were safe. And it made the ending the most satisfying ending for me in RE games. I was invested. It was personal
 
Let's be honest, the game is going to look like shit no matter what you do. I figured for this run I'd try the filter approach and sometimes it really cleans up the image without otherwise altering it. It's nice to see clean diagonals and circular objects becoming actual circles. Other times, it really does overload on the wax and ends up looking weird. It's a big trade-off.

How did you get BRZ filter in PS1 games?
 
Nemesis was so great. Can pop out at any point. Never knew when you were safe. And it made the ending the most satisfying ending for me in RE games. I was invested. It was personal
I'm only halfway through RE3 (beat Nemesis at the chapel, and I'm actually going to go back and skip the train fight to save resources), but I agree Nemesis is a fantastic foe so far. I apparently still have the hospital, park and factory to go... but I'm already itching to kick his ass, lol. It feels personal because he's so persistent trying to kill Jill.

Hey, sounds like a Tarantino movie. "Kill Jill."
 
I'm only halfway through RE3 (beat Nemesis at the chapel, and I'm actually going to go back and skip the train fight to save resources), but I agree Nemesis is a fantastic foe so far. I apparently still have the hospital, park and factory to go... but I'm already itching to kick his ass, lol. It feels personal because he's so persistent trying to kill Jill.

Hey, sounds like a Tarantino movie. "Kill Jill."

You're actually near the end. Escaping the town is about the halfway point. It's probably about as long as RE2's B scenario. I think that is one of the reasons people don't rank it as highly. The original and 2 are both short, but they both had multiple characters/scenarios to playthrough where RE3 just has the one.
 
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