Game Modes (Beyond Main Story)
While the main campaign of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis offers a gripping survival horror experience, Raccoon City has more challenges in store for the dedicated S.T.A.R.S. operative. Beyond Jill Valentine's harrowing escape, two additional modes provide unique gameplay, unlockable content, and a chance to truly master the game's mechanics. These modes are accessible from the main menu once certain conditions are met.
The Mercenaries: Operation Mad Jackal
This adrenaline-pumping mini-game puts you in the shoes of one of three Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service (UBCS) mercenaries, tasked with rescuing civilians and escaping Raccoon City within a strict time limit. It's a test of speed, resource management, and combat efficiency. Completing this mode is crucial for unlocking powerful bonus weapons for the main game.
Unlocking The Mercenaries
To access "The Mercenaries: Operation Mad Jackal," you simply need to complete the main story mode once on any difficulty. After the credits roll, save your game, and the option will appear on the main menu.
Character Selection & Loadouts
Upon starting, you'll choose from three distinct mercenaries, each with a unique starting loadout and special ability:
- Carlos Oliveira:
- Starting Weapons: Assault Rifle, Handgun.
- Starting Items: First Aid Spray x1, Mixed Herb (G+G) x1, Handgun Ammo x30.
- Special Ability: High health and slightly faster movement. His Assault Rifle is excellent for crowd control.
- Strategy: Carlos is a good all-rounder, suitable for players who prefer a balanced approach. Utilize the Assault Rifle's wide spread for groups of zombies and save Handgun ammo for single targets or precise shots.
- Mikhail Victor:
- Starting Weapons: Shotgun, Handgun.
- Starting Items: First Aid Spray x2, Mixed Herb (G+R) x1, Shotgun Shells x14.
- Special Ability: Can take more damage than other characters.
- Strategy: Mikhail is a tank, ideal for players who want to get up close and personal. His Shotgun is devastating at close range, making him effective against Lickers and Hunters. Conserve Shotgun Shells for critical encounters.
- Nikolai Zinoviev:
- Starting Weapons: Magnum, Handgun.
- Starting Items: First Aid Spray x1, Mixed Herb (G) x1, Magnum Rounds x6.
- Special Ability: Can disarm traps without taking damage (though this is rarely useful in Mercenaries).
- Strategy: Nikolai is for expert players. His Magnum is incredibly powerful but has very limited ammunition. Every shot counts. Focus on headshots and avoiding combat whenever possible to conserve precious Magnum Rounds.
Gameplay Mechanics & Scoring
The objective is to reach the designated exit point before time runs out. Along the way, you'll encounter enemies and civilians. Your score is determined by:
- Time Bonus: The faster you complete the run, the higher the bonus.
- Civilian Rescues: Each civilian rescued adds 30 seconds to your timer and contributes to your score. They are often found in specific locations, sometimes requiring you to defeat nearby enemies first.
- Enemy Kills: Each enemy killed adds a small amount of time and points. Tougher enemies like Hunters and Nemesis yield more.
- Damage Taken: Taking less damage results in a higher score multiplier.
Key Locations & Item Spawns
The Mercenaries mode takes place across several interconnected areas of Raccoon City, including the Downtown Streets, R.P.D. Station, and the Clock Tower. Item spawns are generally fixed, but enemy placement can vary slightly. Always be on the lookout for:
- Ammo Pickups: Crucial for survival. Prioritize ammo for your strongest weapons.
- Healing Items: Green Herbs, Red Herbs, and First Aid Sprays are scattered throughout. Combine herbs for stronger effects (e.g., Green + Green for full health, Green + Red for full health and poison cure).
- Bonus Time Pickups: These glowing items add precious seconds to your timer. They are often found near civilians or after defeating specific enemies.
Strategies for Success
- Know the Map: Familiarize yourself with the quickest routes and civilian locations. Practice runs are essential.
- Prioritize Civilians: The time bonus from rescuing civilians is often more valuable than killing every enemy.
- Efficient Combat: Don't waste ammo. Aim for headshots on zombies. Use powerful weapons like the Shotgun or Magnum for Lickers, Hunters, and Nemesis.
- Nemesis Encounters: Nemesis will appear periodically. Engaging him is risky but can yield valuable bonus time (often 120 seconds) if you defeat him. If you're low on health or ammo, it's often better to evade him.
- Item Management: Only pick up what you need immediately. Don't fill your inventory with Handgun Ammo if you're primarily using the Shotgun.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: The Mercenaries mode is all about repetition and refining your route and combat efficiency.
Mercenaries Rewards
Your performance in "The Mercenaries" determines the bonus weapon you unlock for the main story mode:
- Grade A (2:00 or less): Infinite Ammo Rocket Launcher.
- Grade B (2:01 - 3:00): Infinite Ammo Gatling Gun.
- Grade C (3:01 - 4:00): Infinite Ammo Assault Rifle.
- Grade D (4:01 - 5:00): Infinite Ammo Shotgun.
- Grade E (5:01 or more): Infinite Ammo Handgun.
These weapons are incredibly powerful and make subsequent playthroughs of the main story much easier, especially on higher difficulties. You can unlock all of them by achieving the corresponding grades.
Epilogue Files
The Epilogue Files are a collection of short text summaries detailing the fates of various characters from the Resident Evil universe, specifically those involved in the Raccoon City incident. These files provide additional lore and context to the overarching narrative.
Unlocking Epilogue Files
There are a total of eight Epilogue Files. You unlock one file each time you complete the main story mode. To collect all eight, you must complete the game eight separate times. The files are unlocked in a fixed order, regardless of your performance or choices during the playthrough.
Accessing the Files
Once unlocked, the Epilogue Files can be viewed from the "Bonus" section of the main menu. They are presented as text documents, each focusing on a different character.
Characters Featured
The Epilogue Files detail the post-Raccoon City fates of characters such as:
- Jill Valentine
- Chris Redfield
- Barry Burton
- Rebecca Chambers
- Leon S. Kennedy
- Claire Redfield
- Ada Wong
- HUNK
Reading these files offers a deeper understanding of the Resident Evil universe and provides closure (or further intrigue) for many fan-favorite characters.
Costumes
While not a separate game mode, unlocking alternate costumes for Jill Valentine adds replayability and a cosmetic incentive to complete the game multiple times.
Unlocking Costumes
Jill has several alternate costumes available. The primary method for unlocking them is by completing the main story mode multiple times. Each time you finish the game, you'll unlock a new costume. There are a total of eight alternate costumes, meaning you'll need to complete the game nine times (once for the default, then eight more for the others) to unlock them all.
Accessing Costumes
Once unlocked, costumes can be selected from the "Costume" option at the beginning of a new game. You can choose which outfit Jill wears for the entirety of that playthrough.
List of Costumes
- Default S.T.A.R.S. Uniform: Jill's iconic blue top and skirt.
- Casual Outfit 1: A more practical, dark blue tank top and cargo pants.
- Casual Outfit 2: A white tank top and camouflage pants.
- Regina (Dino Crisis) Outfit: A crossover costume, dressing Jill as Regina from Capcom's Dino Crisis.
- Biker Outfit: A leather jacket and pants ensemble.
- Miniskirt Outfit: A short skirt and top combination.
- S.T.A.R.S. Vest Outfit: Similar to her default, but with a tactical vest.
- Business Suit: A more formal, professional attire.
- R.P.D. Uniform: A standard Raccoon Police Department uniform.
Unlocking all costumes adds a fun visual element to subsequent playthroughs and allows players to experience Raccoon City's horrors in style.