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Umbrella Corps

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Umbrella Corps
Developer(s)Capcom
Publisher(s)Capcom
Producer(s)Masachika Kawata
James Vance
Composer(s)Kota Suzuki
Akihiko Narita
Azusa Kato
Yasumasa Kitagawa
SeriesResident Evil
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Release
  • NA: June 21, 2016
  • EU: June 21, 2016
  • JP: June 23, 2016
Genre(s)Tactical shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Umbrella Corps, known as Biohazard: Umbrella Corps (バイオハザード アンブレラコア) in Japan, is a multiplayer-based tactical shooter developed and published by Capcom for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4. It is a spin-off of the Resident Evil series (23rd overall), and was released worldwide in June 2016. The game received negative reviews from critics.

Setting and Story

The single-player portion, "The Experiment", takes place in 2012 and 2013. It follows an agent codenamed 3A-7. The organization he belongs to, the Umbrella Co., is revealed to have the full name of the "Umbrella Corporation" in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard; a new organization using Umbrella's name. He is sent on missions by superiors in order to test out new equipment such as the Zombie Jammer. Once the testing is successful, his superiors try to kill him by sending him on more dangerous missions. The Experiment ends with 3A-7 overcoming all odds and surviving all of the missions, scaring his superiors. It is implied that 3A-7 either is the agent HUNK or is as dangerous and possesses the same level of skill. It is also strongly hinted at via voice clips that randomly play at the outcome of multiplayer matches, as well as hints from The Experiment that the Commander (a powerful, high-ranking official in Umbrella Corporation) is a clone of Albert Wesker.

The multiplayer portion takes place in 2016, three years after the events of Resident Evil 6 and 13 years after the collapse of the Umbrella Corporation in 2003/2004.[1] Although the Umbrella Corporation has been disbanded, a great deal of valuable viral BOW research information left over from their past evil endeavours is still waiting to be discovered. The game lists 10 competing organizations using their own special forces to retrieve the old Umbrella Corporation's lost research: Suntech Samurai Co., Suntech Ninja Co., Medvedev, Sheng-Ya Pharmaceutical, Aeolus Edge East, Aeolus Edge West, Tenenti Inc., Saurian Corporation, Akembe Chemical, and Rashid-Sahir Industries. Settings that resemble locations that have been destroyed such as the Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City are explained as being recreations for training purposes.

Several corporations feverishly desire possession of Umbrella's assorted remnants and secrets - most especially those involving their bio-weapons technologies, a search that inevitably brings them into direct conflict with other corporations which are also seeking the same things. As a result, these global corporations send mercenaries into several zombie infested sites to search for Umbrella's lost secrets.[2]

Gameplay

Umbrella Corps is a competitive multiplayer shooter that features zombies.[3] Players play as a mercenary from two different corporations, and they are tasked to co-operate with their fellow mercenaries to eliminate all the hostile players.[4] Players can choose to play from a first-person perspective, or a third-person perspective.[5]

The game's maps are described as "compact battle zones" which have traditional historic Resident Evil themes and environments.[6] The game features gadgets like semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, grenades and explosives,[7] as well as unusual melee-weapons like Brainer combat axes. In order to travel between maps in an effective way, the game features repurposed climbing gear,[8] as well as "Terrain Spikes", which can be used for traversing tough ground.[4] There are three classes available for players to choose from; namely assault, short range, and tactical. Each class is equipped with different weapons.[7]

In order to protect themselves against enemies, players can hide behind structures like walls. The game features a cover system called "analog cover", which highlights objects that can be hid behind with a blue color. Players can peek out from the cover to attack enemies. The more players lean out from the cover, the higher the accuracy of their weapons.[9] In order to reduce their visibility to their competitors, they can choose to crouch and prone. However, these actions sacrifice movement speeds. The brainer combat axe can also be used to deflect attacks from enemies.[7] Players who are killed enter a spectator mode, in which the locations of opponents are revealed to them. They are unable to combat, but they can communicate with the surviving members of the team.[9]

The game's maps are infested with zombies.[3] Players are equipped with a gadget called "Zombie Jammer", which makes zombies ignore their presence. However, they would still get attacked by them if they were intentionally or accidentally shot.[10] Players can disrupt their opponent's Jammer with the use of their "Jammer Buster", which would make them visible to zombies, and therefore, forcing them to deal with more threats.[7] Zombies can also be grabbed by players, and can be used as a shield.[7] The game also features a progression and customization system; however, most customization items are purely cosmetic.[2]

The game does not feature a main campaign.[1] Instead, it features a single-player mode known as "The Experiment". It is a horde mode that has 24 missions and tasks players to fight against waves of enemies.[11]

Development

The game was developed by Capcom's Osaka studio, which is Capcom's headquarters.[7] The team aims to create a game with concentrated fast-paced combat and multiplayer experience offered by current Esports in the market.[12] Instead of a large open environment, the maps featured in the game are usually small and dense.[10] The game drew influences from western-style shooters for Microsoft Windows.[13] The name "Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps" was trademarked by Capcom on July 29, 2015,[14] and was revealed at the Sony Computer Entertainment's press conference at the 2015 Tokyo Game Show one and a half month later.[15] It is a downloadable game,[16] and was set to be released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 in May 2016. The game was later delayed to June 21, 2016.[17]

Reception

Pre-release

Reception to the game was generally negative. Upon its reveal, critics compared the game to the Call of Duty franchise and Capcom's own Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, which itself had a mixed reception.[29] Andy Chalk from PC Gamer thought that the game strayed too far from the franchise, and thought that it was a pointless addition to the series.[4] Nicholas Tan from Game Revolution thought that Umbrella Corps was a standard and generic first-person shooter with a Resident Evil skin on it.[30] Steven Burns from VideoGamer.com criticized the small size of the maps (which he considered “generally quite boring") and the field of view. He described Umbrella Corps as "a bizarre mishmash of styles and elements that don't fit together at all" and very expensive "for too little in the way of quality".[28] However, Michael McWhertor from Polygon, praised the game after trying it. He added that the game can offer "quick" fun despite being odd, and thought that it suits its budgeted price.[7] Some previewers said that the game looks nothing like a Resident Evil game.[9][16] On June 15, 2016, Famitsu gave the game score of 9/9/9/9- 36/40.[22]

Post-release

Umbrella Corps received "unfavorable" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[18][19] USGamer's Bob Mackey concluded that "just a little over a week after releasing, Umbrella Corps is essentially [dead on arrival]" on the PC platform when looking at old and new alternatives, including Overwatch and Left 4 Dead 2.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b Haywald, Justin (September 20, 2015). "Where Does Umbrella Corps Fit in the Resident Evil Timeline?". GameSpot. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Miller, Matt (September 17, 2015). "Umbrella Corps: The Zombies Are Your Greatest Tools". Game Informer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Phillips, Tom (September 15, 2015). "Capcom announces first-person shooter Resident Evil Umbrella Corps". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Chalk, Andy (September 15, 2015). "Umbrella Corps is a third-person online shooter set in the Resident Evil universe". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Jones, Gary (September 15, 2015). "Resident Evil Umbrella Corps: Capcom update series but is it what fans want?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  6. ^ Liebi, Matt (September 15, 2015). "New screenshots show off Umbrella Corps' action-packed gameplay". GameZone. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g McWhertor, Michael (September 17, 2015). "Umbrella Corps is like a mini Counter-Strike with Resident Evil zombies". Polygon. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  8. ^ Tack, Daniel (September 15, 2015). "[Update] New Resident Evil Title Biohazard: Umbrella Corps Is A Zombie Shooter". Game Informer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c Dyer, Mitch (September 17, 2015). "7 Things You Need To Know About Umbrella Corps". IGN. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Parish, Jeremy (September 18, 2015). "Will Umbrella Corps' Unique Ideas be Enough to Sell Resident Evil Fans on eSports?". USgamer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  11. ^ Scammell, David (January 25, 2016). "Resident Evil shooter Umbrella Corps releases on PS4 & PC in May". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  12. ^ O'Conner, Alice (September 15, 2015). "Not Resident Evil: Multiplayer Spin-off Umbrella Corps". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  13. ^ Duwell, Ron (September 18, 2015). "Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps Hands On — Capcom Catching Up". TechnoBuffalo. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  14. ^ Hanson, Steven (July 29, 2015). "Capcom trademarks Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps". Destructoid. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  15. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (September 15, 2015). "Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps is a New Competitive Shooter For PS4". GameSpot. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  16. ^ a b Bogos, Steven (September 17, 2015). "TGS 2015 – Resident Evil Umbrella Corps Hands-On Preview". The Escapist. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  17. ^ Romano, Sal (April 5, 2016). "Umbrella Corps Delayed June 21". Gematsu. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Umbrella Corps for PlayStation 4". Metacritic. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Umbrella Corps for PC". Metacritic. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  20. ^ Furniss, Zack (June 25, 2016). "Review: Umbrella Corps". Destructoid. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  21. ^ Plessas, Nick (June 27, 2016). "Umbrella Corps review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Romano, Sal (June 15, 2016). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1437". Gematsu. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  23. ^ Reeves, Ben (July 6, 2016). "Undead On Arrival - Umbrella Corps - PlayStation 4". Game Informer. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  24. ^ Whitaker, Jed (June 28, 2016). "Umbrella Corps Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  25. ^ Brown, Peter (June 28, 2016). "Umbrella Corps Review". GameSpot. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  26. ^ Albert, Brian (June 24, 2016). "Umbrella Corps Review". IGN. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  27. ^ Frushtick, Russ (June 23, 2016). "Umbrella Corps review". Polygon. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  28. ^ a b Burns, Steven (June 22, 2016). "Umbrella Corps Review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  29. ^ Martin, Liam (September 15, 2015). "Resident Evil Meets Call of Duty In Multiplayer Shooter Umbrella Corps". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  30. ^ Tan, Nicholas (September 15, 2015). "Umbrella Corps... Why, Capcom?". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Mackey, Bob (July 1, 2016). "The Waiting Game: Just How Dead IS Umbrella Corps?". USGamer. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
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