Resident Evil continues to thrive, yet enthusiasts face a perplexing challenge concerning its narrative consistency. Particularly after the remakes, commencing with RE1, the canon seems significantly disrupted, often conflicting with established plot points from previous titles such as RE0 and the Outbreak series. This inconsistency suggests that Capcom’s approach to story continuity warrants scrutiny, especially as fans debate the application of elements from both original and remade versions.
Conversely, engaging projects like the animated films provide valuable storytelling that bridges various narrative gaps. Additionally, two often-overlooked titles stand out: The Umbrella Chronicles and Darkside Chronicles, both rail shooters that enhance understanding of the Resident Evil universe. Despite their initial popularity waning, these games remain essential for fans desiring a comprehensive grasp of the series’ lore.
Umbrella Chronicles: An Essential Resident Evil Experience
Unraveling Wesker’s Origins
Superficially, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles may appear as a simple, arcade-style retelling of key entries such as RE0, RE1, and RE3. However, it delves deeper through side stories and the pivotal Umbrella’s End campaign, which intricately explores Wesker’s evolution into the notorious antagonist encountered in RE5.
Considering its narrative depth and engaging gameplay, Umbrella Chronicles stands out as one of the most compelling rail shooters available on the Wii. It presents not just a reimagining of well-known episodes, but also introduces unique scenarios, including Ada Wong’s dramatic escape from RE2’s chaos. While some critiques target the handling of classic game renditions, it’s crucial to note that the side stories and Umbrella’s End are indeed integral to the overarching Resident Evil canon. This makes the title a must-play for anyone discussing the series with fans primarily acquainted with the remakes.
As a standalone experience, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles excels through its arsenal of weapons and the thrill of combat against relentless foes, like the formidable Crimson Heads featured in Beginnings 2. The game emphasizes accuracy, rewarding players for headshots with a gratifying scoring system. Accompanied by a memorable soundtrack, including Wesker’s theme, this rail shooter remains a standout choice, followed by a sequel released two years later.
Darkside Chronicles: A Solid Successor
Krauser’s Descent into Darkness
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles serves as a capable sequel but lacks the innovative flair of its predecessor. It focuses on three main scenarios: a retelling of RE2, a reimagining of Code: Veronica, and an original narrative that explores the bond between Leon and Krauser. This latter scenario poignantly depicts Krauser’s transformation into a villain, a theme aptly reflected in the game’s title.
Graphically, Darkside Chronicles outshines its predecessor, boasting enhanced visuals and cutscenes. Some moments, such as Claire Redfield’s interaction with Steve in the computer room, have even garnered viral recognition online, with certain clips attracting millions of views. Nevertheless, while the game impresses with its aesthetics, it falls slightly short in gameplay. A somewhat jarring use of shaky camera techniques proves distracting, especially in a rail shooter where precision targeting is crucial.
Although the new scenario featuring Krauser is compelling, it recycles gameplay elements from previous chapters, underwhelming players with a lack of fresh content, despite an intriguing new ending. Nonetheless, the presence of an Easter egg involving Tofu adds a whimsical touch. While Darkside Chronicles contributes to Resident Evil lore, it doesn’t match the necessity level of Umbrella Chronicles. Still, both titles merit exploration for avid fans.
The Case for Remastering These Resident Evil Games
Essential Story Elements for Newcomers
The recent Resident Evil titles rank among the finest horror experiences available today; however, new players may struggle to comprehend the complex storyline, particularly due to alterations introduced in the remakes. For instance, the Resident Evil 2 remake presents discrepancies with RE0, as seen with the redesigned Umbrella Lab. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 3 fails to capitalize on nostalgic elements by omitting key characters like Barry Burton, and RE4 redefined Wesker’s role to be more prominent instead of a manipulative presence.
Remastering these rail shooters would be invaluable for newcomers trying to piece together the convoluted narratives, as many critical story components remain hidden from casual players. Delving into Wesker’s and Krauser’s origins, Ada’s escape, and the downfall of Umbrella serves to connect vast segments of Resident Evil lore. Although challenges might arise in adapting these classics for modern consoles, it is entirely feasible.
The PS5 preserves compatibility with the PlayStation Move, offering authentic light gun mechanics, while the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 features gyro controls and mouse compatibility. These adaptable controls would enhance the gameplay experience tremendously, turning remastered versions of these Resident Evil games on the Switch into not only engaging but also potentially phenomenal experiences. Fans of the franchise should consider revisiting these titles, and a remaster announcement would undoubtedly delight the community.
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