Released by Capcom in 2007 for the Nintendo Wii, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles took the survival horror series in a very different direction: an on-rails light-gun shooter played with the Wii Remote. It later came to PlayStation 3 with Move support. Looking back, it’s one of the more interesting side stories in the franchise.
A Tour Through Resident Evil History
The game revisits key moments from Resident Evil Zero, the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3, retold from a new perspective. Familiar faces like Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen return. Its biggest draw for longtime fans is the focus on the fall of the Umbrella Corporation and the role of Albert Wesker behind the scenes.
How It Plays
The camera moves automatically while you aim and shoot. You can still pick up weapons, collect herbs, and find hidden files and items by shooting the environment. Some key mechanics include:
- Critical hits: aiming at weak points takes enemies down faster.
- Knife attacks: useful for breaking objects and fending off close threats.
- Dodge prompts: quick-time events let you escape attacks.
- Co-op: a second player can join in local cooperative play.
What Works
Blasting through iconic locations like the Spencer Mansion is fun, especially with a friend. The game is packed with archive files that fill in story gaps, and replaying chapters to earn better ranks adds longevity.
What Doesn’t
Fans expecting tense survival horror won’t find it here. The on-rails structure removes exploration and resource tension, and the camera can feel shaky during intense moments.
Verdict
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles is best enjoyed as an arcade-style celebration of the series’ history rather than a mainline entry. For fans who want to relive classic moments with a light gun in hand, it’s still a fun ride.