Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) Review — Why Jill Valentine’s Fight for Survival Still Matters In 2025
It feels a little surreal to be talking about Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in 2025. Yet thanks to the titles imminent release as part of the PlayStation Plus Classics offering, here we are.
Originally released in 1999 for the PlayStation, this third entry in Capcom’s survival horror juggernaut is now making its way onto the PlayStation Plus Classics Collection, giving players old and new a chance to dive into one of the most memorable chapters in the Resident Evil franchise. For some, Resident Evil 3 was “the other” sequel, not quite as celebrated as Resident Evil 2, which had wowed gamers a year earlier with its ambitious dual campaigns and cinematic flair. But for those who stuck with Jill Valentine as she fought her way through a city in chaos, Resident Evil 3 delivered something equally special: a faster-paced, more relentless take on survival horror, with one of gaming’s most iconic villains stalking your every step.
In 2025, with modern Resident Evil titles pushing into slick photorealism and action-horror hybrids, there’s something refreshing about going back to this late ’90s classic. Its tank controls, fixed camera angles, and pre-rendered backdrops might feel like relics of another time, but beneath the dated surface lies a tense, tightly constructed survival horror experience that’s still absolutely worth playing.
Setting the Stage: A City in Ruin
One of the coolest aspects of Resident Evil 3 is how its story overlaps with the events of Resident Evil 2. Both games take place during the infamous T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City, but where Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield were trapped inside the Raccoon City Police Department, Jill Valentine is fighting for her life out on the streets.
This shift in perspective gave the game a larger scope. Instead of being confined to one central building, you’re navigating Raccoon City itself. From burning streets, deserted shops, sewers, hospitals, and eventually the Umbrella labs, the setting made the disaster feel massive, like the entire city was collapsing under the weight of Umbrella’s hubris. And Jill, of course, is the perfect character to carry this story. Having survived the nightmare at the Spencer Mansion in the first game, she knows exactly what she’s up against. She’s seasoned, smart, and resourceful - which makes her determination to escape Raccoon City feel all the more heroic.
Jill Valentine vs. Nemesis
The game begins with Jill desperately trying to flee the city before the military wipes it off the map. But Umbrella has other plans. The pharmaceutical giant has unleashed a new bio-weapon: Nemesis, a hulking creature designed specifically to hunt down surviving S.T.A.R.S. members. From the very beginning, Nemesis is an unstoppable force. He crashes through walls, stalks you across multiple areas, and shows up when you least expect it. His iconic growl of “STARS…” is burned into the memory of anyone who played the game back in 1999. Unlike the lumbering Tyrant from Resident Evil 2, Unlike the Tyrant from before, Nemesis isn’t content to slowly chase you. Instead this much upgrades bio weapon runs, jumps, and he adapts, forcing you to make tough choices on the fly.
What makes the story even more interesting is how it weaves around the events of Resident Evil 2. Jill is moving through the city at the same time Leon and Claire are trapped inside the police station. You even revisit the RPD building early on, walking through familiar halls just hours before Leon and Claire arrive. It’s a clever overlap that makes Raccoon City feel like a living, breathing (or undead, in this case) place.
Along the way, Jill crosses paths with Carlos Oliveira, a mercenary working for Umbrella’s private military. At first glance, Carlos seems like an enemy after all, he works for the very company that caused the outbreak. But as the story unfolds, he becomes a trusted ally. His optimism and loyalty balance Jill’s hardened cynicism, and their partnership gives the narrative surprising warmth amid all the chaos. By the time the credits roll, you’ve witnessed the destruction of Raccoon City itself, making Resident Evil 3 not just Jill’s story of survival, but also the dramatic conclusion of the city’s tragic fall.
Familiar Horror, Fresh Twists
On the surface, Resident Evil 3 plays like its predecessors. You explore environments using fixed camera angles, manage limited ammo and healing items, and solve puzzles while being harassed by the undead. But Capcom added several clever mechanics that gave the game a distinct identity.
The Dodge Mechanic
For the first time, players could attempt to dodge attacks. It wasn’t easy to master and the timing was strict, but it added an extra layer of skill for those who wanted to conserve resources. Pulling off a perfect dodge felt like a small victory every time.
Live Selection Choices
At key moments, the game would suddenly freeze and present Jill with a split-second choice. Do you fight Nemesis head-on, or do you run for your life? Do you blow up an explosive barrel, or do you try to escape another way? These branching options didn’t completely change the ending, but they gave the game replay value and made every playthrough feel a little different.
Resource Management
Even more so than in Resident Evil 2, resources were scarce. You were constantly deciding whether to burn ammo on Nemesis or save it for standard enemies. To help balance things, Resident Evil 3 introduced gunpowder crafting. By combining different types of powders, you could make your own ammo. It was a simple system, but it added depth and made every discovery feel meaningful.
Nemesis: The Relentless Hunter
Of course, the star of the show is Nemesis himself. Where most Resident Evil bosses waited at the end of levels, Nemesis was always a looming threat. His unpredictability created an atmosphere of constant tension.
You never really felt safe. He could burst through a window mid-exploration or corner you in an alley. Unlike Mr. X from RE2, Nemesis could actually run. He could fire weapons. He was a hunter in every sense, and that changed how you played.
Do you fight him to earn rewards like weapon upgrades, knowing it might drain your inventory? Or do you run, hoping to live another day? That push-and-pull decision-making is what made Nemesis such an unforgettable villain. Even today, few video game enemies feel as terrifyingly personal.
The Atmospheric Fall of Raccoon City
The shift from claustrophobic hallways to city-wide chaos gave Resident Evil 3 a very different vibe than its predecessors. The pre-rendered backgrounds brought Raccoon City to life in surprising detail with neon lights reflecting off rain-soaked streets, fires burning in the distance, and abandoned stores that hinted at lives cut short.
While the PlayStation One’s polygonal models look crude by today’s standards, the art direction carries the experience. Combined with the haunting soundtrack and unsettling ambient noises, the game sells its atmosphere. The creak of a door opening, the sudden crash of glass, or Nemesis’s footsteps pounding closer all work together to keep you on edge.
How It Holds Up in 2025
Being honest: some aspects of Resident Evil 3 are definitely dated. The tank controls take getting used to, and younger players raised on smooth, modern action games may find them clunky. The fixed camera angles can also be disorienting at first. But once you settle into the rhythm, the game’s brilliance shines through. The deliberate controls amplify the tension. Every shot you fire, every corner you turn, feels earned. The scarcity of resources still forces you to think like a survivor rather than a soldier. And Nemesis’s unpredictability? That’s timeless.
The story’s overlap with Resident Evil 2 also gives it a unique identity. You’re not just playing a side story, you’re witnessing another angle of one of gaming’s most infamous outbreaks. In 2025, with decades of Resident Evil lore behind us, it’s fascinating to revisit the moment when Raccoon City truly fell.
Why It’s Worth Playing on PlayStation Plus
This is where PlayStation Plus changes the conversation. In 1999, Resident Evil 3 was a full-priced release that had to stand next to RE2’s towering legacy. In 2025, it’s simply part of your subscription, ready to be discovered or replayed. If you’ve never experienced it, now is the perfect time. You’ll see where many survival horror conventions were born and how Capcom built the foundation for modern Resident Evil games. If you played it back in the day, this is your chance to revisit it with fresh eyes and a little nostalgia. Most importantly, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is still fun. It’s challenging without being unfair, atmospheric without relying on jump scares, and cinematic without losing its survival horror roots.
Final Thoughts: The Timeless Terror Of A Single Nemesis
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis may not have been as universally adored as Resident Evil 2, but it carved its own legacy. Jill Valentine’s fight to escape a doomed city gave the series one of its strongest protagonists. Nemesis redefined what a video game villain could be - unpredictable, terrifying, and personal. And the fall of Raccoon City remains one of the franchise’s most iconic storylines. In 1999, it was a bold experiment that pushed the series forward. In 2025, it’s a classic that still holds up, reminding us why survival horror became such a phenomenon.
So if you’re browsing PlayStation Plus and wondering whether it’s worth revisiting a polygonal relic from the late ’90s, the answer is simple: yes. Load it up, step into Jill’s shoes, and prepare to be hunted all over again.
Because no matter how much time has passed, when Nemesis growls “STARS…” it’ll still send a chill down your spine.
Want more survival horror? Why not check out our review of Resident Evil: Village and Tormented Souls!
