Umbrella Corps

Umbrella Corps
Developer(s) Capcom Osaka
Publisher(s) Capcom
Producer(s) Masachika Kawata
James Vance
Series Resident Evil
Engine Unity
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Release date(s)
  • JP May 12, 2016
  • NA May 2016
  • EU May 2016
Genre(s) Shooter, survival horror
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Umbrella Corps, known as Biohazard: Umbrella Corps in Japan, is an upcoming multiplayer-based survival horror shooter developed by Capcom Osaka and published by Capcom for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4. It is a spin-off of the Resident Evil franchise, and is set to be released in May 2016.

Setting

The game is set in 2015, two years after the events of Resident Evil 6 and twelve years after the collapse of the Umbrella Corporation in 2003.[1] Although the Umbrella Corporation has been disbanded, a great deal of valuable viral BOW research information leftover from their past evil endeavors and is still left to be discovered.

Several corporations feverishly desire gaining possession over Umbrella's assorted remnants and secrets, most especially those involving their bio weaponry technologies, a search that inevitably brings them into direct conflict with others, all of whom are seeking out those same exact things. As a result, these global corporations send mercenaries into several zombie infested sites to look for these hidden 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 will also feature 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 up to 20 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 is set to released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 in May 2016.

Reception

Upon the reveal of the game, it received a generally mediocre reaction, with previews comparing the game to the Call of Duty franchise and Capcom's own Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, which was critically panned.[17] 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.[18] 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 previews said that the game looks nothing like a Resident Evil game.[9][16]

References

  1. 1 2 Haywald, Justin (September 20, 2015). "Where Does Umbrella Corps Fit in the Resident Evil Timeline?". GameSpot. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Miller, Matt (September 17, 2015). "Umbrella Corps: The Zombies Are Your Greatest Tools". Game Informer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Phillips, Tom (September 15, 2015). "Capcom announces first-person shooter Resident Evil Umbrella Corps". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. 1 2 3 Dyer, Mitch (September 17, 2015). "7 Things You Need To Know About Umbrella Corps". IGN. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  10. 1 2 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. 1 2 Bogos, Steven (September 17, 2015). "TGS 2015 – Resident Evil Umbrella Corps Hands-On Preview". The Escapist. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ Martin, Liam (September 15, 2015). "Resident Evil Meets Call of Duty In Multiplayer Shooter Umbrella Corps". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  18. ↑ Tan, Nicholas (September 15, 2015). "Umbrella Corps... Why, Capcom?". Game Revolution. Retrieved September 20, 2015.

External links

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