Resident Evil 3 feels less like its own game and more like a lengthy coda for 2019's Resident Evil 2. It's pretty dire from a story perspective, with paper-thin characters and a last-minute message about how humanity is the real monster. Also, the dialogue is often atrocious; I don't remember the characters being so annoying in the predecessor. But the worst part is that the game insists on frequently yanking control away from the player. There are moments where your only interaction is holding the left stick forward, watching the character outrun explosions and perform outrageous stunts that would've been cool if you were playing the game. Why is the gameplay-to-QTE ratio so out of whack again? Don't they remember the last time the series became a QTE-ridden action-fest?

Thankfully, the moment-to-moment gameplay evokes the best of Resident Evil 2 and has undergone some thoughtful improvements. The playable characters have a dodge button that, when timed correctly, can deflect enemy attacks. Some of the boss fights feel sleek thanks to this mechanic; the feeling of landing a perfect dodge is akin to a Platinum Games title. The arsenal of weapons is solid, the levels are often thoughtfully designed, and there's a slew of goodies you can unlock by completing in-game challenges. These big positives prevent the game from returning the series to mediocrity, even if the overall game is a bit disappointing.