Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 20, 2008 12:11:51 GMT -5
3PS #40
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
System: Wii
Capcom has been very generous to Nintendo fans with the Resident Evil series. Every single installment of the main series was made available on the GameCube in one form or another, and the Wii has its very own version of Resident Evil 4. Now, Capcom has given the Wii a unique addition to the series with Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, which somewhat synopsizes a few of the previous games in the series.
The first thing to note is that Umbrella Chronicles is not a survival horror or action-adventure game. Rather, it’s a first-person rail shooter, similar to arcade light gun games like Sega’s The House of the Dead. Despite this, the Resident Evil style and atmosphere is fully intact, complete with a few “Resident Evil moments.”
Also like the traditional games, ammo conservation is encouraged. Even though your default handgun has unlimited ammunition, it quickly becomes too weak to get you out of tough scrapes, so you’ll need to hoard ammo for more powerful special weapons. There’s also a weapon upgrade system, similar to the one in Resident Evil 4. If you still need extra firepower, bring along a friend for the two-player mode.
Umbrella Chronicles doesn’t actually take you through every game in the series, but as the title suggests, it covers the scenarios most relevant to the theme of the Umbrella Corporation. You’ll traverse ground from Resident Evil Zero, the remake of the original Resident Evil, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. There’s also a brand new fourth scenario that finally reveals how the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members invaded Umbrella’s secret compound.
Even though the game automatically guides you through each environment, it does a good job building up tension. The camera cautiously pans around corners. The characters are constantly exchanging dialog. Some enemies have a tendency to pop up very suddenly and get right in your face. Being chased by the Nemesis through the streets of Raccoon City is truly thrilling. Boss encounters take a bit of strategy to get through, as you’ll need to learn their patterns and weak spots.
As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to unlock extra levels and scenarios, such as alternate paths through previous levels from the viewpoint of different characters. We finally learn how Rebecca met up with Richard after the events of Resident Evil Zero, and how Wesker escaped the mansion in the original game. Adding even more detail are various files you can find by shooting certain objects in each level. If you’re a Resident Evil fan, there’s a lot to dig into here.
For a light gun style game, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles has a surprisingly large amount of content and longevity. Even though it doesn’t play like a traditional Resident Evil game, it certainly feels like one. Lots of unlockables and fan service provide a lot of appeal. If you’re a fan of the series, or even a newcomer looking for a thrilling, arcadey experience, this is one to check out.
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
System: Wii
Capcom has been very generous to Nintendo fans with the Resident Evil series. Every single installment of the main series was made available on the GameCube in one form or another, and the Wii has its very own version of Resident Evil 4. Now, Capcom has given the Wii a unique addition to the series with Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, which somewhat synopsizes a few of the previous games in the series.
The first thing to note is that Umbrella Chronicles is not a survival horror or action-adventure game. Rather, it’s a first-person rail shooter, similar to arcade light gun games like Sega’s The House of the Dead. Despite this, the Resident Evil style and atmosphere is fully intact, complete with a few “Resident Evil moments.”
Also like the traditional games, ammo conservation is encouraged. Even though your default handgun has unlimited ammunition, it quickly becomes too weak to get you out of tough scrapes, so you’ll need to hoard ammo for more powerful special weapons. There’s also a weapon upgrade system, similar to the one in Resident Evil 4. If you still need extra firepower, bring along a friend for the two-player mode.
Umbrella Chronicles doesn’t actually take you through every game in the series, but as the title suggests, it covers the scenarios most relevant to the theme of the Umbrella Corporation. You’ll traverse ground from Resident Evil Zero, the remake of the original Resident Evil, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. There’s also a brand new fourth scenario that finally reveals how the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members invaded Umbrella’s secret compound.
Even though the game automatically guides you through each environment, it does a good job building up tension. The camera cautiously pans around corners. The characters are constantly exchanging dialog. Some enemies have a tendency to pop up very suddenly and get right in your face. Being chased by the Nemesis through the streets of Raccoon City is truly thrilling. Boss encounters take a bit of strategy to get through, as you’ll need to learn their patterns and weak spots.
As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to unlock extra levels and scenarios, such as alternate paths through previous levels from the viewpoint of different characters. We finally learn how Rebecca met up with Richard after the events of Resident Evil Zero, and how Wesker escaped the mansion in the original game. Adding even more detail are various files you can find by shooting certain objects in each level. If you’re a Resident Evil fan, there’s a lot to dig into here.
For a light gun style game, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles has a surprisingly large amount of content and longevity. Even though it doesn’t play like a traditional Resident Evil game, it certainly feels like one. Lots of unlockables and fan service provide a lot of appeal. If you’re a fan of the series, or even a newcomer looking for a thrilling, arcadey experience, this is one to check out.
