Zero Punctuation: Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles

[VMerken]

I'm a huge RE fan, so I was quite delighted to see RE:UC on the menu this week. Umbrella Chronicles is Capcom's fourth and latest attempt to combine "lightgun shooting" and virus monster hunting [previous parts were Gun Survivor 1, Gun Survivor 2 (both atrocious) and Dead Aim (which was pretty decent)]. Like Yahtzee, even though I love the series, I really don't understand why they want to do this. I guess someone in Capcom really likes this kind of thing.

I agree with a lot in the review, except two points: (1) the game is rather easy, actually - I really don't understand why people think it's hard (maybe I've just played too much RE over the years, but still - bosses and monsters have simple attack patterns and saving the more powerful weapons for the bosses goes a long way towards victory and (2) okay, so the dialogue is pure Gouda cheese, but I really wouldn't want it any other way. It's not a negative factor in this context. Because of it, RE has this camp, Zombie B movie vibe over it, and for some reason it just works. If you want serious, cerebral horror, head for Silent Hill, if you want to engage the undead with a smile, simply do not miss Resident Evil.

Speaking of our favourite munchkin Wesker, who remembers this one?

"Don't come this way!"

or the ever-immortal

"I'm not used to escorting men."

 

[Poida12]

Oh Yahtzee, you seem to be suffering from SOSS (Same old s**t syndrome). your jokes all feel the same to me. I just didnt think this one was funny so much as simply ranty. I still enjoyed it but lately my enjoyment has been less and less. The comedic elements could really use sprucing up.

That said perhaps game selection has something to do with that. When talking about a game everyone has elready experienced many times before, why shouldn't the jokes reflect that?

 

[Poida12]

Perhaps try reviewing games which are newer and more innovative - like your Bioshock review (granted system shock had been out a long time but most people hadn't played it and so it proved a fine review anyway. The Mas Effect one was good because Mass Effect is rather unique from an RPG standpoint due to its squad based combat. Perhaps less Resident Evil and Marios and more Bioshock and Mass Effect reviews are in order. But that is less a criticism of you and more one of the gaming industry.

 

[Spammy2505]

Nice review.. I am not a big RE Fan but I chuckled at the funny bits, On another note, Am I the only person who was "LOOKING FORWARD" to another Intro theatre.. I almost wet myself last week.

Looking forward to CoD4.... I suspect it will get Shredded

Spammyout

 

[Allan Foe]

Review a strategy game for the master race pc gamer.

...lately my enjoyment has been less and less...
That said perhaps game selection has something to do with that.

Seems it's definitely time "for something completely different". A strategy game, a racing game, a casual game (the peggle review was great) or what the heck -- a retrospective review of your favorite game(s).

 

[Chalee]

You hear the people yahtzee - they want something different! You've never reviewed a football managment sim now have you?

 

[Poptart Fairy]

Yahtzee doesn't get to choose what games he reviews, IIRC. The decision's with the Escapist, isn't it?

 

[trlkly]

@Poida12:

Why did you have to ruin it? You are the first person to say anything bad about this review.

In fact, with your SOSS comment (and lack of anything about the actual review) I wonder if you even watched it at all. About the only thing the same about this review and his earlier ones are that Yahtzee talks fast and hates the game (and maybe that censored portion). I don't think he's ever pulled off that many culture references. His Captain Planet stuff literally makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Anyways, if you actually did watch the review, then I don't know what it would take to "improve" it for you. Maybe if he talked slower, liked the game, and just wasn't Yahtzee? Wait! that gives me an idea: if you don't like his shtick, GO WATCH SOMEBODY ELSE!!!

 

[Terramax]

I don't agree with this review. I love rail shooters. Fine, so they're limited in what you can do. Same goes for good ol' Tetris. Playing it with a Wiimote instead of a proper lightgun doesn't sound like a good idea though.

 

[REvolve]

Johnny Bravo ftw!

And my vote goes for not reviewing CoD4!

 

[ShmenonPie]

EA syndrome, so true.
Hey, Yahtzee went to Valve's studio, and wrote a travelogue, but I don't remember him mentioning any face wanking in that, this is a further insight into his sexuality (he now officially likes men and Valve employees).
And did having 'FPS style analog stick levels' do Time Crisis 4 any favours? No, they were crap, rail shooters should be rail shooters.

 

[Parkour89]

I would like to see Yahtzee reviews
. Pro Evo Vs Fifa or Halo Vs Cod. Games that are considered top in their respective genre.
. Metal Gear Solid. Its the only game series i like that you havn't reviewed yet
. Or old games that are considered the best

 

[UncleWesker]

I gotta say that even though I enjoyed the game I agree with him on most major points.

 

[crimped]

the comment on EA was spot on! let's hear a review on them.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

Yahtzee dose sound tired but at least its better than the Cryisis review.

 

[Poida12]

@Poida12:

Why did you have to ruin it? You are the first person to say anything bad about this review.

In fact, with your SOSS comment (and lack of anything about the actual review) I wonder if you even watched it at all. About the only thing the same about this review and his earlier ones are that Yahtzee talks fast and hates the game (and maybe that censored portion). I don't think he's ever pulled off that many culture references. His Captain Planet stuff literally makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Anyways, if you actually did watch the review, then I don't know what it would take to "improve" it for you. Maybe if he talked slower, liked the game, and just wasn't Yahtzee? Wait! that gives me an idea: if you don't like his shtick, GO WATCH SOMEBODY ELSE!!!

I did watch the review but i admit my comments weren't about the review itself but rather about Yahtzee's lack of progression as a writer. You can't simply do the same sort of thing every week and expect people to continually lap it up like it is new and brilliant. yahtzee has a basic style which consists of, of course, having no punctuation. That is the bit that gets you in but outside that he has a lot of room to move. He knows he wants to be funny and that's great too but there are lots of things he could do that are funny. But he doesn't take advantage of this room to move and instead plays it safe and simply uses thre same basic comedy formula repeatedly. I am beginning to find his jokes are a little cut and pastey like Famnily Guy. Family Guy has every episode built on a basic plot woth lots of 80's references and that is virtually it. It is still funny but gradually less funny as a season progresses. That is why they will ocassionally go left field and surprise the viewer with something completely new and that is why it remains fresh and current. Yahtzee is funny, yes, but where i used to laugh out loud at everything he said now i just smile or ocassionaly snigger. I'm used to his humour and i imagine a lot of the rest of you are too. I will continue to watch of course because the reviews themselves are frank and informative and focussing on the negative which is handy these days but i wont be watching them as much for the humour any more unless they get funnier.

If you are having trouble getting what i am saying go listen to Steven Wright's standup. It is hilarious at first but quickly becomes grinding. It is the same basic joke again and again - strange observation about mundane reality. That is what i am trying to get across here. If that doesn't work try Stephen King. it is the same basic horror story with slight variations. He is riddiculed a lot for that in mainstream culture and Yahtzee is heading down the same path.

And i cant stress enough that i do like Yahtzee and will continue to watch, just for a different reason - quality review rather than fun comedy. I am merely pointing out a problem i perceive which may make people stop watching as time goes on.

 

[TerribleTerryTate]

Decided to make an account, as I've watched Yahtzee's reviews since his first one - haven't stopped laughing ever since. This review is no different, excellent as always dude.

Poida12 - Have you ever heard the phrase...'If it ain't broke, don't fix it?'
Yahtzee has thousands of viewers, if not more who tune in every Wednesday to catch his latest review. The reason why his humour stays similar, is because that's his style of writing. It's the same reason the vast majority (me included) keep coming back to visit.
Why would he want to change his style of writing, when it's proven such a big success thusfar? I don't understand your arguement dude.

 

[Booze Zombie]

I think what the guy's trying to say, is, as talented and funny as Yahtzee is... it's starting to get a bit boring, now.

Previously, Yahtzee made me laugh at least once a sentence with his old reviews, but now he actually sounds kind of like he's just being sarcastic because we've expressed too much interest in that part of his style, and not enough interest in the actual humor.

I think Yahtzee's gotta just relax and have fun writing his reviews, not get worried about us gits viewing his work.
But I guess this happens to everyone in the entertainment business, there's just a lot of pressure on you.
Passes eventually, as they say.

 

[Zetim]

wanking off with valve employees, is that what you did in California behind the scenes?