Is Umbrella Corps Bad? A Deep Dive into a Resident Evil Misstep
Unequivocally, Umbrella Corps is bad. It is a significant misstep in the Resident Evil franchise, criticized for its uninspired gameplay, poor execution, and disconnect from the core elements that define the series. The game fails to capture the atmosphere, tension, and intricate storytelling that fans have come to expect, resulting in a shallow and ultimately disappointing experience.
Why Umbrella Corps Failed
Umbrella Corps, released in 2016, attempted to capitalize on the Resident Evil name by offering a competitive multiplayer experience. However, it deviated so drastically from the established formula that it alienated both hardcore fans and newcomers alike. Several critical flaws contributed to its negative reception:
- Lack of Connection to the Resident Evil Lore: While the game nominally involves Umbrella Corporation remnants, the plot is thin and unconvincing. It feels like a generic shooter draped in a Resident Evil skin, rather than a meaningful contribution to the overall narrative.
- Uninspired Gameplay: The core gameplay mechanics are clunky and unrefined. The cover system is awkward, the movement feels stiff, and the zombie jammer, a device intended to allow players to move through zombie-infested areas undetected, is unreliable and often leads to frustrating deaths.
- Poor Level Design: The maps are small, claustrophobic, and lack the intricate design and environmental storytelling that characterized previous Resident Evil titles. They offer little room for strategic maneuvering and promote a repetitive, run-and-gun playstyle.
- Unbalanced Combat: The weapon balance is severely flawed, leading to frustratingly uneven matches. Certain weapons are clearly overpowered, while others are virtually useless.
- Absence of Tension and Horror: Resident Evil is known for its tense atmosphere and jump scares. Umbrella Corps abandons these elements in favor of fast-paced, arcade-style action, effectively stripping away the franchise’s signature horror.
- Technical Issues: Numerous technical issues plagued the game at launch, including glitches, framerate drops, and connectivity problems. These issues further hampered the already lackluster gameplay experience.
- Monotonous Objectives: The game modes are repetitive and lack variety. Most matches devolve into simple team deathmatch scenarios, with little strategic depth or compelling objectives.
Ultimately, Umbrella Corps failed to understand what made Resident Evil successful. It attempted to shoehorn the franchise into a genre that it wasn’t suited for, resulting in a game that felt generic, uninspired, and ultimately forgettable. The negative reaction from critics and players alike serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of staying true to the core elements of a franchise.
Addressing Common Questions: FAQs About Umbrella Corps and the Resident Evil Universe
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to further clarify the context of Umbrella Corps within the larger Resident Evil universe.
1. Was Umbrella Corps supposed to be canon?
It’s debatable. Capcom has been somewhat ambiguous about Umbrella Corps’ canonicity. While it’s set within the Resident Evil universe and features remnants of the Umbrella Corporation, its plot is largely self-contained and doesn’t significantly impact the main storyline. Many fans consider it non-canon due to its poor quality and disconnect from the established lore.
2. What is the “Zombie Jammer” in Umbrella Corps?
The zombie jammer is a device worn by players in Umbrella Corps that is intended to make them invisible to zombies. However, it is unreliable and can malfunction, attracting hordes of undead and putting players at risk. It is one of the most criticized elements of the game, as it often fails to work as intended and adds to the frustration.
3. Why was Umbrella Corporation created?
The Umbrella Corporation was founded in 1968 by Oswell E. Spencer, Edward Ashford, and James Marcus. Ostensibly, it was a pharmaceutical company dedicated to “preserving the health of the people.” However, its true purpose was to develop bio-organic weapons (BOWs) and pursue Spencer’s twisted eugenics agenda.
4. What was the Wesker Project?
The Wesker Project was a eugenics program initiated by Spencer to create a new breed of superior humans. Dozens of children were kidnapped and raised in controlled environments, with the goal of imbuing them with enhanced abilities through exposure to viral agents. Only a handful survived, including Albert Wesker.
5. What is the T-Virus?
The T-Virus, short for Tyrant Virus, is a mutagenic virus developed by Umbrella Pharmaceuticals. It has the ability to reanimate dead tissue and transform living organisms into grotesque monsters. It was responsible for the outbreak in Raccoon City and is a central element of the Resident Evil storyline.
6. How did the T-Virus get into Raccoon City?
The T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City was caused by a series of events, including a laboratory accident at the Umbrella Corporation research facility in the Arklay Mountains and the subsequent contamination of the city’s water supply by infected rats.
7. Who is Albert Wesker?
Albert Wesker is a prominent antagonist in the Resident Evil series. He was initially a member of S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Service) and secretly an agent of the Umbrella Corporation. He possesses superhuman abilities due to exposure to the T-Virus and Uroboros Virus.
8. What is the Uroboros Virus?
The Uroboros Virus is a highly dangerous virus developed by Albert Wesker with the aim of creating a new breed of superhumans. It is a more potent and selective version of the T-Virus, capable of granting incredible strength and regenerative abilities to compatible hosts.
9. How did the Umbrella Corporation fall?
The Umbrella Corporation fell in the early 2000s after its illegal activities were exposed to the public. News of the Raccoon City incident and other bio-weapon developments led to a global outcry and a significant drop in its stock value. The company was eventually dissolved, and its assets were seized.
10. Does Umbrella Corporation still exist in some form?
While the original Umbrella Corporation was disbanded, its legacy lives on. Various organizations, including Blue Umbrella, have emerged, seeking to utilize the research and technology left behind by the company.
11. What is Blue Umbrella?
Blue Umbrella is a corporation that emerged after the fall of the original Umbrella Corporation. It claims to be dedicated to combating bio-terrorism and developing countermeasures against viral outbreaks. However, its motives and true intentions are often ambiguous.
12. What other viruses did Umbrella create?
Besides the T-Virus, the Umbrella Corporation was responsible for the creation of numerous other viruses, including the G-Virus (created by Dr. William Birkin), the T-Veronica Virus, and various experimental strains used in their BOW research.
13. What was Umbrella trying to achieve with the viruses?
The Umbrella Corporation’s ultimate goal was to create powerful bio-organic weapons (BOWs) for military applications and to pursue Spencer’s eugenics agenda of creating a new race of superior humans.
14. Is the T-Virus a real threat?
No, the T-Virus and other viruses from the Resident Evil universe are fictional. While real-world viruses can be dangerous, none possess the ability to reanimate dead tissue or create the grotesque monsters seen in the games.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of video games?
For information on learning and education through video games, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of gaming and education, offering valuable insights into how games can be used as tools for learning and development.
In conclusion, Umbrella Corps stands as a stark reminder that simply leveraging a popular franchise is not enough to guarantee success. It requires understanding the core essence of the property and translating that into a compelling and engaging gaming experience. Its failure has a clear message in the game industry to focus on understanding what made the source material successful. The project’s failure further confirms the need to study the aspects and the educational benefits of video games.