Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles shifts the series into an on-rails shooter, a departure from the traditional free-roaming survival horror formula. By fixing the camera on a predetermined path and foregrounding precision aiming, the game emphasizes reflexes and accuracy over exploration. The Wii’s motion controls shine here, offering an intuitive point‐and‐shoot interface that feels surprisingly accurate once you’ve calibrated your play space. Even newcomers to the Resident Evil franchise can pick up the Wii Remote, point at the screen, and quickly grasp the basics of combat.

Beyond just shooting, the gameplay introduces occasional melee prompts and context-sensitive sequences where timing is everything. These segments add a welcome layer of interactivity, breaking up the constant barrage of zombies and bio-organic weapons (B.O.W.s) with quick‐time event style bursts of action. The ability to choose multiple characters—each with their own weapons and play styles—encourages replay of each scenario, as does the branching path system that opens up secret rooms, hidden enemies, and additional narrative details on successive playthroughs.

Performance grading at the end of each scenario awards stars based on accuracy, speed, and damage taken. This system fuels a rewarding risk–reward loop: do you rush through corridors for a high‐speed bonus, or take cover to maximize your hit percentage? Accumulated stars can be spent in the in‐game Briefing Room to unlock weapon upgrades, dual‐wielding modifiers, and even character skins—fueling long‐term replayability. Cooperative two‐player mode further enhances the experience, turning a solo thrill ride into a cooperative blast, especially when paired with the Wii Zapper accessory for even greater immersion.

Graphics

For a title engineered specifically for the Wii hardware, The Umbrella Chronicles delivers surprisingly crisp visuals. Character models are well‐defined, with detailed textures on clothing, weapons, and grotesque enemy designs that hold up under the Wii’s standard‐definition limitations. Environments range from the dark corridors of the Spencer Mansion to the sun-bleached streets of Raccoon City, all rendered with moody lighting and dynamic camera angles that amplify tension.

Cutscenes are presented in a graphic‐novel style, blending still panels and animated sequences to save on processing power while giving the story a cinematic flair. This hybrid approach leads to some static moments, but well-timed animations and impactful sound design more than compensate, keeping players immersed in Umbrella’s downfall. Particle effects—such as splattering blood, muzzle flashes, and environmental debris—are particularly impressive given the Wii’s hardware constraints, offering visceral feedback that never feels muted.

Perhaps the strongest graphical achievement is the game’s pacing: transitions between environments are seamless, with no noticeable load times interrupting the action. Even during the most frenetic battles—when multiple B.O.W.s lunge, explode, or stagger into view—the frame rate remains stable, ensuring that the on-rails experience stays smooth and responsive. In short, while it doesn’t push next-gen visuals, The Umbrella Chronicles uses the Wii’s capabilities efficiently to deliver a polished and atmospheric presentation.

Story

The Umbrella Chronicles serves up a curated history lesson of Umbrella Corporation’s darkest chapters. Chapter by chapter, you revisit fan‐favorite moments from Resident Evil Zero, the original Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. By weaving these scenarios into a single narrative thread, the game paints a comprehensive picture of Umbrella’s unethical bioweapons experiments and the heroes—Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Rebecca Chambers, Billy Coen, Carlos Oliveira, Ada Wong, HUNK, and Albert Wesker—who fought to expose them.

Each chapter is framed by a cold, calculating briefing from Rebecca Chambers, who pieces together interview tapes and mission logs to assemble Umbrella’s rise and fall. This approach offers both nostalgia and new insights, as developers sprinkle in fresh dialogue, unseen perspectives, and connective tissue that ties prequel events to the world of Resident Evil 4. Even series veterans will find themselves nodding at subtle callbacks and Easter eggs, while newcomers gain a structured arc that smoothly transitions from one game’s climax to the next.

While the on-rails gameplay naturally limits exploration of side stories, the narrative still manages to convey a sense of urgency and dread. Boss battles with mutated monstrosities—whether it’s the lethal Licker in the mansion or the hulking T-103 Tyrant—feel dramatic because the stakes are crystal clear. The fixed camera angles heighten suspense, forcing you to react quickly when gruesome surprises pop into view. Ultimately, the story excels as a highlight reel of Umbrella’s worst atrocities, offering a concise, coherent retelling that complements the mainline series.

Overall Experience

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles may not satisfy players craving open‐world exploration, but it delivers a tight, action-packed reinterpretation of the series’ foundational adventures. The on‐rails format transforms familiar environments into high-adrenaline shooting galleries, where every corner holds a new threat. Combined with Wii motion controls, melee prompts, and weapon upgrades, the experience feels fresh despite the recycled settings.

Replay value is unmatched for a Wii‐exclusive title, thanks to branching paths, character selection, cooperative play, and the star‐exchange system. The game encourages multiple runs to uncover all secrets, upgrade your arsenal fully, and compete for the highest performance rating. Friend or family member pairs make ideal co-op partners, turning the tension of a zombie onslaught into a shared thrill ride.

In the end, The Umbrella Chronicles stands out as one of the Wii’s most polished and engaging Resident Evil entries. It bridges the gap between hardcore fans and casual players by offering straightforward shooting action wrapped in a nostalgic tribute to the franchise’s roots. If you own a Wii and enjoyed the horror-action hybrid of past Resident Evil titles, this fast-paced, on-rails shooter is a must-have that delivers both fan service and a fresh spin on classic encounters.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10