If you coud run in full Three-D motion and pull of all kinds of killer combos, then RE would lose it's point. It wouldn' be frightening at all, becaue 80% of the fear factor comes from being unable to react quickly. Whether intentional or not, the controls seem to simulate BAR and the fight of flight or freeze response.
REIV is different in that it limits your view (you can't see behind you) but gives you a fixed camera angle to steer from. Then it throws a screen-load of enemies at you.