Preview: Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii)

The great news for Wii owners is that, apart from the definitive version of Resident Evil 4, a new entry in the series is set to debut on the system. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles is, as Capcom producer Masachika Kawata explained, "a brand new, all original title that has been developed from the ground-up," and pleasingly, "it's a title that isn't a port of any way, shape or kind."

Regular visitors to the Resident Evil universe will know the disturbing presence that the is the Umbrella corporation. This conglomerate dabbled in illegal research that lead to the creation of the T-virus, and the reanimation of the previously deceased and further terrible mutations. And while we certainly know what hand fate dealt to many of the major players within the company, many questions remain, including (most of all) if it continued in a new form.

Being specifically designed for the Wii format means that Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles will be a different experience from what currently exists in the series. Kawata outlined the new approach taken, with the game "focusing on the point, shoot and aim feature of the Resident Evil franchise and we're trying to deepen that part of the experience." So what we have is a Resident Evil take on Sega's challenging House of the Dead series, or Namco's Vampire Night for those who remember it. This style of game is not entirely new to Capcom or the Resident Evil series, with Dead Aim providing an entertaining light gun experience. Yet with no such peripheral available for the Wii system (or, frankly, needed) the Wii remote is your weapon of choice.

While Capcom are promising a new adventure with new locations, it is worth noting that many environments from previous games will feature, including notable Umbrella buildings, such as the mansion, all in splendid three-dimensional form. As the game is on-the-rails, you won't have the opportunity to stop and reminisce, as the action promises to come thick and fast. Historically, these types of releases come from the arcade and are ported with moderate success as home versions. How Capcom intend to keep the interest high and action varied to warrant the promised 15-20 hours of gameplay will be interesting.

Part of the solution is that you will take on the role of famous characters from the series, playing as Chris Redfield, Carlos Oliveira and many more. Being quick on the draw will also improve your chances of survival, with moments of hesitation reducing the size of your targetting icon - so aiming and firing quickly is in your best interests. Hidden items will be scattered across the levels, and these items can range from herbal remedies, much needed ammunition or a new piece of weaponry. You'll have to be quick and observant to discover and acquire such items as they won't be purely in your initial line of vision. The nunchuk controller will allow you to manipulate your line of vision to seek out such treasures.

Capcom are still considering the possiblity of a multi-player mode but, as it currently stands, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles is a single player experience. While we can only hope for more additions to the main mode, the game promises to bring a little more flair to the world of Wii remote gunslinging and that can only be a good thing.

Words by Jason Julier