Although the third numbered entry in the series, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis differs quite a bit in comparison to the first two titles and Code Veronica which succeeded did. Nemesis still features the typical Resident Evil exploration and puzzle-solving, but it’s far more action-oriented. Jill can actually craft ammo for her hoard of weapon, and players likely won’t be running out of ammunition unless they choose to fight Nemesis at every turn.
Which brings us to Resident Evil 3’s real defining feature: Nemesis. Nemesis essentially replaces the need for boss fights as any given encounter with Nemesis can boil down into a fight. Players can even down Nemesis during these optional encounters in order to score some decent goodies. Defeating him seven times on a cleared file even scores players infinite ammo for one of their weapons.
That said, this doesn’t mean Resident Evil 3 is lacking in boss fights. It has them. Not as many as either Resident Evil 1 or 2, but they are present and they’re generally interesting. Nemesis even has some specific encounters that, more or less, force players to tackle him head-on. It makes getting to the final battle and killing him for good all that much more satisfying.
6 Gravedigger I
The only non-Nemesis boss fights in the game are both against the Gravedigger, a worm-like BOW who digs through the ground to snip at Jill. In their first encounter, all players need to really do is hit two buttons in order to activate a ladder. Hitting both buttons requires turning into alcoves where the Gravedigger will most certainly be hiding, but any fight that amounts to pushing two buttons isn’t going to be too engaging or challenging at the end of the day.
That said, some players might mistake this as an opportunity to indulge in Resident Evil 3’s gunplay, unaware that all they’ll be doing is wasting ammo. Not only will players need to fight the Gravedigger once more before the end of the game, that fight is the one where players are supposed to actually fight back during. Trying to take out the Gravedigger during the first encounter is really just a waste of time and ammo. It’s just a shame the game doesn’t convey that well enough. In a game with as much resource management as Resident Evil, that’s almost damning. But hey, that’s part of the experience too.
5 Gravedigger II
The aforementioned second encounter isn’t that much better when it comes down to it. It’s an interesting fight and one of the more video gamey encounters in the early Resident Evil games– featuring a fairly simple gameplay loop– but it’s otherwise a fairly boring encounter, especially when taking into account that this is Nemesis’ game.
Players will have spent all game running from incredibly tense Nemesis encounters by the time they have their rematch with the Gravedigger. The game itself does a good job building up to the fight, featuring miniature earthquakes every now and again to show the Gravedigger’s still active, but the fight itself is too bland and uneventful.
The Gravedigger also isn’t scary by any stretch of the imagination. Big worms are kind of freaky, but he’s a super lame enemy in a game with Hunter Betas and, again, Nemesis. It would have been more intense to fight a swarm of Drain Deimos here, or maybe a giant Brainsucker. Anything but the Gravedigger!
4 Nemesis Type III
The final boss is decent enough and even features a failsafe via the Rail Cannon for any players who happen to reach the end of the game low on health and ammo, but this is definitely Nemesis at his weakest. To be fair, it makes sense. Jill has managed to fight back against Nemesis time and time again. He’s finally showing signs of being worn down and he’s on the cusp of death.
Does it make for an engaging boss fight? Eh, not really. The fight itself is really only tense from how much health he has. Trying to get him into alignment with the Rail Cannon can be tricky, but he should stumble into firing distance sooner or later. That said, the fight makes for an incredible set-piece. This is the battle the game has been building up to, and the tide is finally turning in the player’s favor.
Should players have enough time (and they more than likely will,) Jill can choose to personally execute Nemesis. Her just unloading into him is one of the most satisfying moments in the entire series, putting an end to a predator that’s terrorized players for hours now.
3 Nemesis (First Encounter)
There’s something truly overwhelming about running into Nemesis for the first time. The rational decision is to flee, but eager players (especially those who know Resident Evil 3 for being more action-oriented) might feel the impulse to engage in combat. After all, this would be the game’s first real boss fight. Nemesis doesn’t follow after the player should they choose to flee inside until later.
Choosing to fight is a challenge though and will basically demand players use up all their ammo. Even then, Jill may be forced to knife away at Nemesis just to finish the job. This will make the first half of the R.P.D. extremely difficult, but it’ll allow players to get the Eagle Parts early while also ensuring they can get all seven Nemesis drops before the end of the game.
2 Nemesis Type II
The penultimate fight, this is either going to be a massive pain or one of the hardest ordeals in the game. Nemesis Type II can actually be damaged with acid, but actually getting acid to trigger (let alone luring Nemesis in place) can be trickier than it’s ultimately worth. It will take him if players can trigger the acid, but Nemesis is utterly relentless here.
Thankfully, it’s entirely possible to down him with regular weaponry, but it’s going to take some time. He’s super sturdy and does some serious damage. Ideally, players will have prepared Freeze Rounds for this fight, but it’s worth remembering that there’s still a final battle to go after this one. Nemesis Type II is RE3’s last chance to torment the player and it revels in it.
1 Nemesis (Clocktower Encounter)
Upon clearing the Clocktower, players will eagerly make their way outside so Jill can finally make her last escape. Unfortunately, Nemesis will interfere, take her escape chopper out, and then engage Jill in a fight to the death. This is one of the single hardest encounters in the game, and if you haven’t been managing your resources well up to this point, good luck.
Bring healing items because Jill is going to need them. Nemesis actually infects Jill before this meaning, meaning players will not be able to check on how much health they have. Keeping track of how often Nemesis has hit Jill becomes incredibly important. Worth noting, this will be the last time players control Jill for a while. After this fight, she’ll be out of commission and Carlos will take over as the playable character. It’s a tense encounter and one of the most important moments in the story.
NEXT: Resident Evil 2: 5 Ways Leon Is The Better Main Character (& 5 Ways Claire Is)
