This game is awesome.  The plot is intriguing, the characters are realistic and it has some references to RE2.  It posesses some of the problems that the other RE games had: The controls still {bite} and the inventory system is pretty difficult to deal with at times (how does a key take up as much space as a shotgun?) but you get used to the controls and you just have to deal with the inventory.  A nifty new edition is the ability to make new and stronger ammo by creating various combinations of gunpowders.  You also become faced with situations where you have to decide what to do and your decision alters the course of the game (and in one case, which ending you see!) which was not seen in the first 2.  You are also stalked by one of the coolest looking monsters ever: the nemesis.  temporarily knocking this beast out can yield rewards that can make your life quite a bit easier, but be warned, it is no easy task.  Make sure that you are at least familiar with the plot of RE1 before you play this (RE2 never really comes up).  very fun and challenging.