Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles Wii Details Emerge

After much fuss and not much to show for in the online press last week, SPOnG finally has some solid - and presumably valid - details about Capcom's first Wii game from their Resident Evil survival horror series. This latest story bares no mention of the game's final title, but according to earlier reports it will be called Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles (at least in Japan it's Biohazard: Umbrella Chronicles).

The name alone already holds indication as to the nature of this game, which will in fact chronicle the series' first four chapters, and it will be structured accordingly:

Chapter 1: RE1 Mansion - Jill and Chris

Chapter 2: RE2 Raccoon Police Department - Claire and Leon

Chapter 3: RE3 Raccoon City - Jill and Carlos

Chapter 4: RE4 Village - Leon and Ada

The players will therefore meet familiar faces and locations, in what's shaping up to be a neat retrospective of the series so far. Taking scenario, setting and gameplay elements from previous entries, Resident Wii'vil could also end up filling in plot blanks between other existing Resi titles. According to SPOnG, "further characters will also come into play in various subplots (in what is promised to be a very open-ended and massive title) including Rebecca Chambers, Hunk and Albert Wesker, tantalising glimpses of what to RE fans will be the most exciting game in the series ever".

Some brief gameplay sequences could already be seen in last week's Wii preview trailer, and by the looks of it the over-shoulder perspective and controls are to remain. SPOnG also says that each character will be able to dual-wield, packing two weapons at the same time, and their last bit of info is that the whole game will be presented in in-game cutscenes as was the case with Resident Evil 4.

No release date was given by Capcom yet, as Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles is still in early development.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)