Released: November 13, 2007
Developer: Capcom
Producer: Capcom
Players: 1-2

Resident Evil is one of the most popular series in the survival horror genre. With its haunting environments and scary game-play, how could it not be? Its got everything that makes a great horror game. Its got large, empty, and unfamiliar locations, zombies, and teammates that leave you so they can "explore." Now, combine all that, with the on-rail (where you don't control where you go except for certain areas) system of an arcade shooter, and you have yourself Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles.

Now, what's different with this game, is that it revisits old games, such as Resident Evil, Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 3, as well as a couple other lesser known titles. And you also play as those game's characters, either the girl, or the guy. The levels are divided into 4 different scenarios: "Train Derailment" (Resident Evil 0), "The Mansion Incident" (Resident Evil), "Raccoon's Destruction" (Resident Evil 3), and "Umbrella's End," which is new material. As well as the main scenarios, there are sub scenarios, with other characters.

Controls for this game are easy to pick up, even if you're new to the series. You aim with the remote, and shoot with A. If you need to reload, you shake the remote. Hold A then press B, and you will have thrown a grenade to clear your path. And if you can't see something that clear, you can slightly tilt the camera with the nunchuck. If some zombies gets too close, you can activate your knife by pressing and holding A, then shaking the remote. Also, if a zombie grabs hold of you, shake the remote to counterattack and free yourself from it's grasp.

This game uses an 'on-rail' shooter system, where you pick a level, and are guided through a pre set path, where you shoot enemies and pick up health items, and occasionally have the option to decide where you go. I think, that the fact that you can destroy the environment where you're at, whether it be shoot out a light, destroy a door, or set a car on fire, is so amazing. And at times, ammo or health may be hiding in things, so you're counted on destroying things. This game also supports Co-Op, so you and a friend can take on a mission together. Starting out, you only have a basic pistol with unlimited ammo, but that is pretty ineffective, and you have to hunt for new stronger weapons. Those weapons don't have unlimited ammo, so you will have to search for ammo constantly.

After each level, you are graded on several things: the time it took you to complete that level, how many enemies you killed, how many head-shots you get, how many objects you destroy, and how many files you find. Throughout each level, there are files hidden, and they do two things, one is that they are used for grading how well you completed a level, and the other is you can read them to learn about the other games. But don't worry, once you find a file, you won't have to find it again. The grades are from S, A, B, and C, with S being the best. After you've received rankings, you're given star points that you can use to upgrade your weapons.

Occasionally you will face the issue of feeling rushed. I got very annoyed with the on-rail system, because I found myself constantly having to go through the levels again just so I can get to unlock stuff. And when the camera starts to move faster, everything gets sloppy and blurry making you feel dizzy, and it gets bad. And even if you just start this game, this game can feel a little bit easy easy on you.

Graphics for this game are simply just stunning, but they aren't Resident Evil 4 graphics. They're great but they're not perfect. And while some parts of the environment, like some of the textures used, are absolutely hideous, every place is packed with loads and loads of details. And among all the zombies, bats and other disgusting monsters, one thing is common; they all look real and believable. Cutscenes are polished and clean, and look great. Light plays a major role in this game. The lighting can be changed by destroying things, and can change the mood from a bright, safe room, to a dark and monster filled area. Somethings do come off looking too rough and out of place, and it breaks down the mood the game-play created.

The sound in this game also destroys the haunting mood that's created. The soundtrack feels almost too fast paced for this game. Most of the music is noticed solely because it is so freaking loud. And at times, the music will change to another song, and this game is horrible at transitioning. But some tracks are actually decent sounding, and they fit in. Gunshots are extremely loud, and since you're going to be listening Though, all the voice acting is really nice, I have to say. Its believable, sounds appropriate, and doesn't feel out of place.

This game has enough levels to keep you entertained for a long time, and after all of that, you can upgrade your weapons, even so far as to infinite ammo, and replay those levels. And the game has 3 different difficulties, so once you clear off a difficulty, you can move up and challenge yourself. Replaying levels will get boring, and you will most likely put this game away and pick up another game. That's what I did.

Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 6/10
Longevity: 8/10

Umbrella Chronicles is a game for the die hard Resident Evil fans, but with a twist. If you are a fan of the series, then this game is a good buy, but if you're not, you may not like it. On the other hand, you may.