Let’s Talk About Umbrella Corps

During my look at TGS highlights, I decided not to discuss the new zombie spin-off from Capcom, which I mistakenly referred to as Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps.

While it is called Biohazard: Umbrella Corps in Japan, Capcom told IGN that it will simply be “Umbrella Corps” when released in the West.

With no returning characters, an emphasis on shooter gameplay rather than survival horror or story, and not even the series name outside of Japan, I have to question why Capcom made this a Resident Evil spin-off at all instead of its own IP. According to Gamespot’s interview with the producers, the title itself is “ironic,” because the game is set after the fall of the Umbrella Corporation.

So there is no Umbrella Corporation in Umbrella Corps., just a loose setting in the Resident Evil universe? Apparently it will tie into the Resident Evil lore, but will it be enough to justify its spin-off status?

This isn’t the first time Capcom tried a Resident Evil spin-off that was a straight-up shooter, as much as most fans would like to forget the ill-received Operation Raccoon City. The approach to Umbrella Corps suggests Capcom believes the “what-if” nature of ORC is what held it back, and this time wants to focus on making a great shooter.

If they can pull it off, great. I still don’t know why it’s in the Resident Evil series.

Capcom claims to have “stuff in the pipeline” that fits what fans expect from the main series, but who knows if that means true survival horror or another game in the style of 4, 5, and 6.

I’m holding out hope for the Resident Evil 2 remake, but I have no interest in Umbrella Corps, so I probably won’t discuss it again.

Unless someone requests it. Are you interested in Umbrella Corps?