I had the misfortune of playing the last multiplayer shooter spin-off of the Resident Evil series, Operation Raccoon City. It was not a good game. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been paying so little attention to the brand new multiplayer shooter Umbrella Corps. Something in my gut just told me it would be bad.
And bad it is. While we’ve not had the chance to play it, the Capcom’s new nostalgia-twinged shooter is out, and other critics have given it a shot. Here’s what they have to say:
When you get shot in Umbrella Corps your character will occasionally utter a remark describing how miffed they are at the situation. One of these statements, bizarrely, is ‘Fucking Hell’. While it doesn’t really fit – despite its lashings of violence there’s no swearing approaching this level anywhere else in the experience, and ‘Fucking Hell’ just seems, well, weird in that context – it’s an almost perfect description of the game itself: a bizarre mishmash of styles and elements that don’t fit together at all.
I might recommend this game for $15 if you have some friends to play with, but I certainly wouldn’t recommend it at its current price point and in its current state. On a community forum I saw a deflated Resident Evil fan quip that Umbrella Corps is about 15 patches away from greatness, and I have to say that’s my sentiment exactly. I gave this game several chances, but after turning off my PS4 and walking away from it just now, I’m realizing that I have no motivation to boot Umbrella Corps back up when there are so many alternatives that look, sound, feel, and play better. Wait for a sale and pick this up cheaply if you’re a die-hard fan, but keep your friends close and your expectations low.
If you’re in the market for a good team-based, third-person shooter game, look elsewhere. You can certainly find better shooter games that aren’t plagued with sticky cover mechanics and awkward animations. And if you’re looking for the next terrifying Resident Evil game to satisfy your zombie-killing tendencies, this isn’t the game for you either; Umbrella Corps is simply a mediocre third-person shooter hiding under a Resident Evil skin.
The best thing that can be said about Umbrella Corps is that it isn’t as bad as it looked, which wasn’t actually really hard. Several mistakes in its gameplay mechanics turn interesting ideas into something tedious and repetitive.
But none of it comes together in a way that is remotely enjoyable. It looks terrible, it plays terribly, the online is nowhere near as functional as it should be and it’s making a mockery of the Resident Evil brand. What were Capcom thinking? We’re not sure. They could have literally dumped a Mercenaries game onto the digital marketplace cobbled together with existing assets from previous games and it would’ve been better than this. I admonish you – seriously consider whether or not you should purchase Umbrella Corps. It’s utterly deplorable and a (sadly) wasted opportunity.
Last Updated: June 23, 2016
Francois Knoetze
June 23, 2016 at 08:35
Well that was…expected…o.O
Francois Knoetze
June 23, 2016 at 08:39
Ok I am looking at some of these screens and left thinking. They really need to get off the Resi 4 high horse already. It was a great game but they are using these maps like a man in his 50’s trying to pick up chicks at the local drive through. It use to work but time has passed and things aren’t the way they use to be.
Admiral Chief Maximum Effort
June 23, 2016 at 08:42
“like a man in his 50’s trying to pick up chicks at the local drive through”
ewwww and LOL
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 08:48
Happy Meals are called Happy Meals for a reason
Francois Knoetze
June 23, 2016 at 08:49
^^^This. MC Dees would make a fortune if they had one for adults.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 08:39
Still better than the least Resident Evil movie only it’s a R6 Siege clone with less players and zombie dogs
Ir0nseraph
June 23, 2016 at 08:42
O well this one won’t hurt my wallet at least.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 08:44
It wont take a bite out of your wallet…. because zombies?
*Goes back to corner
Ir0nseraph
June 23, 2016 at 08:45
XD, yes stay there, the portugal comment is still very fresh in my mind 🙂
Francois Knoetze
June 23, 2016 at 08:51
I am so curious…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 08:54
I said Portugal wasn’t Hungary enough 😛
Ir0nseraph
June 23, 2016 at 08:55
Yip that was it, I hope you have a comfy corner ?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 08:55
I’m cold
Ir0nseraph
June 23, 2016 at 08:57
No one to delivery hot food in your small town ?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 09:01
They only do deliveries in cities
Ir0nseraph
June 23, 2016 at 09:04
XD
Francois Knoetze
June 23, 2016 at 09:06
o.O…excuse me while I go and buy some brie.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 23, 2016 at 08:42
Resident Evil games, not even once. Movies are great though.
Jonah Cash
June 23, 2016 at 14:42
Resident Evil 2, but remember when it came out and play it like you are 13 again! My all time favourite game.
Darren Peach
June 23, 2016 at 08:56
Wow. Never even knew this was a thing.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 23, 2016 at 08:57
Just like the new Ghostbusters game.
Ir0nseraph
June 23, 2016 at 08:58
That one was indeed a shock to the system, when i found it and I see there is even a special edition that includes a digital download of the new movie.