Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)

[losersclub]

This is the very first time i've actually started a first play thread so please bear with me!

My pre-order shipped out a couple of days early so was waiting for me when i got in from work tonight. Went for the bundle with the Wii zapper as i only played Umbrella Chronicles with the Wii remote and wanted to see if the zapper was any good.

The game is presented nicely (as was UC) and throws you straight into a new segment of the RE storyline featuring Leon and Jack Krauser somewhere in South America. This new section was very akin to RE5 actually in that it features bright outside areas. This first section was only short (i believe from reviews that it returns later) and i was quite glad to be honest as i wanted to get onto to the meat of the game for most of us - the areas set in RE2!

The RE2 sections are fantastic so far, yes they've rejigged certain bits to accommodate two players but it's fantastic to witness the graphical overhaul of all our favourite RE2 areas and set pieces. The cutscenes in particular i've found fantastic (they look very similar to the Degeneration CG movie)

It plays like a tweaked version of UC, the camera shifting function from the control stick has been removed leaving it free to switch between weapons which works perfectly

The camera does seem to throw you around a hell of a lot when the game starts but to be honest to me it seemed to settle down a couple of chapters in (either that or i got that so engrossed i stopped noticing it)

Not got to the Code Veronica sections yet so i'm looking forward to those too

It's pretty decent so far imo and if you enjoyed UC then you'll feel right at home with this!


James

[sj33]

Sounds positive, I'm getting this for Christmas, and I'm really looking forward to it I was a really big fan of Umbrella Chronicles, I felt it was such great fanservice for fans of the older games in the series, and it was a great co-op too. All I'm wanting from this is the same, done better, with the Resi 2 and Code Veronica stuff done properly ):

[abigsmurf]

Are the headshots as hard to get as the first game? In the first game you had to learn that a shot in the head wasn't enough, you hat to hit the top of the head.

Looking forward to this but... We should've had RE2 done in the RE4 engine ;_;

[losersclub]

Headshots seem a bit easier this time i've certainly managed alot more than i did in UC

[teddymeow]

Picked up my copy yesterday and so far it seems pretty good.

It looks great for a Wii game - proof that, with a bit of effort, that devs can get some decent performance out of the hardware. It's just a shame that my TV is so big as to make any Wii game look like the scribblings of a small child - even when running in Prog Scan.

The on-rails gunplay is great fun but the camera really does get on my nerves. I'll be happily trying to line up a headshot and the view will be moving aroung all over the place. There have been times when I have not bothered shooting and just let the game continue past the zombie hoardes. During the first Boss fight it is infuriating to be trying to aim at the thing and just as you're about to fire the camera lurches around for "dramatic effect".

It is great to be back in Racoon City for a different view of the events of Resi 2 but it is a shame that they have changed elements of the original story to allow for the co-op 2 player side of things.

->Open Spoiler<-

In the original Resi 2 knows the petrol tanker explodes seperating Leon and Claire but in this they are on the same side of the explosion and work together to get to the Police Station and then work through their adventure

I know this is a minor thing but with this game introducing new things about the whole Resi saga it seems a shame that they have had to change the old.

I think it is definitely better than BrollyChron but then I have always thought that Resi 2 is the best "old" Resi so my opinion was always going to be swayed by that fact.

For me it's a case of the atmosphere and memories of past games papering over the cracks of "bad design" issues (the camera - which if the Edge review is to be believed was even worse in the preview versions!!).

That means I like it, by the way.

[Holio]

Can I ask how big your tv is? Just bought a Wii, and I do have Component, but was going to put it on a 40inch LCD, maybe it would be better on my 32.

Seen a couple of reviews on this game, and watched an IGN video review, the camera certainly seemed very shaky and put me off ordering it if I'm honest. Please more reviews though as I may swing by it again and order.

[teddymeow]

Can I ask how big your tv is? Just bought a Wii, and I do have Component, but was going to put it on a 40inch LCD, maybe it would be better on my 32.

Seen a couple of reviews on this game, and watched an IGN video review, the camera certainly seemed very shaky and put me off ordering it if I'm honest. Please more reviews though as I may swing by it again and order.

46" Sony Bravia. I'm running the Wii through the official component lead at 480p and there's an awful lot of smeared textures and blurriness that I don't see when I run it through RGB on my old 28" CRT.

[sj33]

Does the game use flicker filtering? I can't remember if Umbrella Chronicles did. The Wii games that look smeary usually are (like Sonic & the Secret Rings).

[losersclub]

Finished it now, the Operation Javier chapters are by far the weakest most unimaginative bits in the game. The RE2 and Veronica bits are fantastic as a bit of nostalgia based fan service but obviously they've been a bit liberal with the plot to compensate two player action.

For me it played way better than UC did, the handgun in particular feels better - which is a good job as you're going to need to use it alot if you want to stockpile the other weapons for the boss fights (most of which have more than one health bar and often re-generate grrr!)

Can't see me playing through it again though, got too much of a backlog to play so i'll probably sell it now i've seen it all

[Adam Stone]

I'm dying to play this, but sadly have to wait until pennys allow. I've just recently treated myself to Mario and a few others so can't really get this too, which is a right pain in the bum. I really enjoyed Umbrella Chronicles, so am desperately wanting to get into this. Don't suppose you fancy letting me borrow it do you losersclub? ;-)

[losersclub]

I would mate but i'm in dire need of some cash i'm afraid so just going to sell it i think sorry!

[Adam Stone]

Ha, no worries buddy. I was only jesting anyhow (well, maybe only a little...).

I'm glad you enjoyed it dude, really enjoyed reading your comments.

[teddymeow]

Really, really starting to get into this now.

Once you get used to the way the camera moves you start to figure out when to shoot and when to let the game run through a group of zombies.

Sme of the weapons are great and it feels really good to chain a run of headshots together after you've upgraded the pistol a couple of times.

[gware]

Just noticed on the spine of the US cover, there is no Wii logo. This is the only game I have that doesn't have, so just wondering if other copies are the same

[rmoxon]

I just started playing this, I'm up to the boss from Resi 2 with the giant eye on his arm, HOW THE HELL do you kill him? his energy is depleted and he just keeps hacking at me while im hanging off the ledge. There is nowhere to shoot him!

Is the game just broken or what?