Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles Review: Look Out! Behind You!

Written by 2.o | December 1, 2009

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

There’s something supremely natural about using the Wii’s remote as a gun. In fact, I think when the Wii’s remote was first shown off, most gamers probably jumped to the conclusion that Nintendo’s little white powerhouse would play host to a cornucopia of shooters. Three years in, and there have only been a small handful of shooting games that are actually worth gamers’ time and money. Well, thanks to Capcom, there’s now one more title to add to the list, “Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles.”

The follow up to 2007’s impressive, but overall underwhelming “Umbrella Chronicles,” this latest title proves my theory that a year can’t go by without a “Resident Evil” game. This time around you take control of one of a small handful of characters from the franchise’s past (name the “R.E. 2” and “Code: Veronica” periods) retelling some of the stories, and filling in a couple of gaps along the way.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

Although the game is steeped in the franchises long, and often confusing, mythology, just about anyone can enjoy the game at its most basic, zombie shooting, core. Set on-rails, much like it’s predecessor, you go around the game’s three different scenarios, clearing out as many undead as possible, while trying your best to save your own behind. Unlike “Umbrella Chronicles,” this game does not give you the option to explore your environment using the nunchuck controller. What you see on the screen, is what you have to play with. It makes the game a tighter experience, and completionists won’t spend excessive chunks of your time searching around for hidden items while they are getting mauled off-screen.

Even if you were able to adjust your view, if you wanted to have someone cover your back, you totally could. It’s a well-known fact that light-gun games are best played with other people, and “The Darkside Chronicles” knows that, which is why this game is best played with a friend. Co-op mode makes the game a little less challenging, since its not all on you to take down every zombie, spider, or giant, mutated reptile, plus, a second reticle gives you a better shot a picking up all of the hidden goodies throughout the game.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

As far as the game itself goes, it’s a bit longer than you would expect for a shooter, but it’s not the longest game that you’ll find on the Wii. It will take you (and a friend) a few hours to make your way through the game the first time, but, for a game that’s on rails, there is a lot of game worth exploring, and you’ll have reason to go back for more. Plus, there’s a good chance that it will make more sense the second time through. One of the few downsides to the gameplay is the camera tends to be a little shaky…. like Clovefield shaky, and it makes it hard to get a clean shot off consistently, but that should just prepare you a little better for when the real zombie apocalypse comes.

The story is a little disjointed, since the game is a pretty much a series of flashbacks. It takes place in three different “Resident Evil” settings over the course of different games in the franchise, so if you’re looking for one flowing story, you may want to look elsewhere. But, that’s not to say that it doesn’t work here. Fans of “Resident Evil” will feel right at home alongside characters that you have been playing for years, and the cameos throughout the story should bring a smile to your face as you remember meeting them the first time you played these games.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

One of the weirdest features about “The Darkside Chronicles” is that it seems to be the first game all year to really boast the fact that it is “Zapper compatible.” It’s a badge of honor that even Nintendo seems to have tossed to the wayside, since there have only been a handful of games that have come out since the plastic “peripheral” was released. Whether or not it enhances your experience is up to you, but if you want to rationalize your purchase of “Zelda Crossbow Training” a little more, “The Darkside Chronicles” would be a great place to start.

And now, for the best part, “Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles” comes complete with an M rating. That means this game isn’t for your little brother. It’s a great addition to the very small selection of adult, hardcore titles on the Wii, and is well worth a look if you’re down for a little blood, spatter and zombie head explosions. Seriously, this title keeps completely in the “Resident Evil” style, and doesn’t skimp on the gore, one bit, and it looks gorgeous while it does it. The cutscenes are so well crafted for a Wii title, that you’ll completely overlook the horrendous lip syncing job.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

Overall, “Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles” is a great addition to the “Resident Evil” franchise, as well as the Wii’s library. It’s a game that offers frights, an enjoyable co-op experience, and some of the most satisfying lightgun action around. If you’re a fan of “R.E.,” shooters, or just zombies in general, then this game should be at the top of your list of must play games, but if you scare easily, and don’t want nightmares of giant spiders, and undead cops, you may want to stick to something a little more kid friendly. For the rest of us, break out that zapper and hunt some undead.

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“Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles” was developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Wii for release on November 17, 2009.