《惡靈古堡：黑暗面編年史》（Biohazard: The Darkside Chronicles），在西方地區名為Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles，是由CAPCOM開發並於2009年發行的光槍射擊遊戲。作為惡靈古堡：安布雷拉編年史的後續作品，回顧該系列中一些關鍵時刻，並注入新的敘事元素，同時保留光槍射擊的機制。

故事情節圍繞著兩條主要的故事線。首先是重述《惡靈古堡2》和《惡靈古堡:聖女密碼》的事件，並以獵殺生化武器的背景來推進，主要聚焦於里昂·S·甘乃迪和克萊爾·雷德菲爾德的故事。第二條故事線則介紹新的內容，講述位於南美洲的生物武器威脅調查，拓展《惡靈古堡》宇宙的世界觀。

遊戲一開始便回顧里昂和克萊爾的故事，將跟隨這兩位角色經歷拉昆市的T病毒爆發事件，並重溫《惡靈古堡2》的經典劇情。此外，第二章節將回顧《惡靈古堡:聖女密碼》的故事，體驗克萊爾尋找她的哥哥克里斯的過程。原創章節則深入南美的秘密，里昂和他的搭檔克勞澤，調查涉及新型生物武器的陰謀。這些緊密相連的情節填補惡靈古堡系列中的空白，對於熟悉該系列的玩家而言，這無疑是吸引人的補完之旅。

在操作上，採用經典的光槍射擊機制，不需要控制角色的移動，而是專注於準確地射擊畫面中出現的敵人。與傳統的《惡靈古堡》遊戲相比，這種光槍射擊風格更加直觀且具有刺激感，在快速的射擊戰鬥中體驗緊張感。需要使用Wii遙控器（或在PS3版本中使用PlayStation Move控制器）來瞄準和射擊，並使用搖桿或方向鍵進行簡單的視角調整，尋找隱藏在畫面中的道具或敵人。

遊戲中有多種武器選擇，包括手槍、霰彈槍、突擊步槍以及火箭筒等，每種武器都有其獨特的使用方式和彈藥管理系統。可以進行近戰攻擊，在敵人接近時揮動武器或刀具來擊退他們。場景中有大量的可破壞物體，射擊後可能會掉落補給品或隱藏文件，這些細節增強整體的探索性和互動性。此外，還引入QTE（快速反應事件）機制，在某些特定的場景或BOSS戰中，必須迅速按下提示按鍵來閃避攻擊或完成劇情事件。這類設計讓遊戲節奏更加緊湊，增強玩家的代入感。

關卡設計方面，完美重現《惡靈古堡》系列的經典場景。從充滿陰森氣氛的阿克雷山莊到被T病毒肆虐的浣熊市，每個場景都經過精心設計，不僅保留原來的恐怖氛圍，同時也在光槍射擊的基礎上進行調整，使畫面更加流暢，戰鬥更加激烈。每個章節都有主線和分支路線，不同的選擇將影響劇情發展，或者遇到特殊的敵人，這種設計提升重玩價值。當完成挑戰時就能自行進入想要的章節遊玩。

在市場評價方面，發售後獲得普遍的好評。許多玩家稱讚遊戲忠實重現該系列中的經典劇情，並成功地重現原來的恐怖氛圍。同時，Wii遙控器和PlayStation Move的體感操作使得射擊手感更加直觀，增強整體的沉浸感。評論家普遍認為，作為外傳作品，不僅豐富系列的背景故事，還在操作和玩法上進行創新。畫面呈現表現優異，角色建模和場景細節比同類型遊戲更加精緻，而關卡設計也充滿挑戰性。然而，也有部分評論指出，光槍射擊的玩法過於單一，長時間遊玩可能會產生疲勞感，且缺乏自由探索的元素。

此外，某些玩家認為難度略高，尤其是在BOSS戰中，若對QTE操作不熟練，很容易失敗，從而需要反覆挑戰。但總體來說，作為成功的衍生作品，既保留《惡靈古堡》系列的核心魅力，也提供全新的刺激體驗。這是兼具懷舊與創新的遊戲，無論對於系列的老玩家，還是對於首次接觸《惡靈古堡》世界的玩家，都能帶來獨特的恐怖與刺激感。

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, known as Biohazard: The Darkside Chronicles in Japan, is a light gun shooting game developed by CAPCOM and released in 2009. As the sequel to Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, it revisits key moments from the series while introducing new narrative elements and retaining the light gun shooting mechanism.

The storyline revolves around two main plotlines. The first recounts the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, focusing primarily on Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield’s story, with a backdrop of hunting down bio-organic weapons. The second storyline introduces new content, exploring a bio-organic weapon threat investigation in South America, expanding the Resident Evil universe.

The game begins by revisiting Leon and Claire’s journey, following these two characters through the T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City, and reliving the classic events of Resident Evil 2. The second chapter revisits the events of Resident Evil: Code Veronica, where players experience Claire’s search for her brother Chris. The original chapter delves into a South American conspiracy involving new bio-organic weapons, with Leon and his partner Krauser investigating this new threat. These interwoven narratives fill in gaps within the Resident Evil series, providing an enticing journey for long-time fans.

In terms of gameplay, the game employs the classic light gun shooting mechanism, where players do not control character movement but focus solely on accurately shooting enemies that appear on-screen. Compared to traditional Resident Evil games, this light gun shooting style is more intuitive and offers a heightened sense of excitement, allowing players to experience a tense atmosphere in fast-paced combat. Players use the Wii Remote (or PlayStation Move controller in the PS3 version) to aim and shoot, and the joystick or directional pad for simple adjustments to the viewpoint to search for hidden items or enemies in the environment.

The game offers a variety of weapons, including handguns, shotguns, assault rifles, and rocket launchers, each with unique usage and ammo management systems. Players can also engage in close combat by swinging weapons or knives to push back enemies when they get too close. Numerous destructible objects are scattered across the environments, and shooting them may drop supplies or hidden documents, which adds to the exploration and interactivity of the game.

Additionally, the game introduces the QTE (Quick Time Event) system, where players must press prompt buttons quickly to dodge attacks or complete story events during specific scenes or boss battles. This design makes the gameplay more intense and heightens the player's sense of immersion.

Regarding level design, the game perfectly recreates iconic Resident Evil locations. From the eerie Spencer Mansion to the T-virus-ravaged Raccoon City, each scene is carefully crafted, maintaining the original horror atmosphere while adjusting the light gun shooting framework for smoother visuals and more intense combat. Each chapter has main and branching paths, with player choices affecting the storyline or triggering encounters with special enemies, which adds replay value. Players can also re-enter any completed chapter to replay it and enjoy different experiences.

In terms of market reception, the game received generally favorable reviews upon release. Many players praised the game for faithfully recreating the series’ classic storylines and successfully capturing the original horror atmosphere. Furthermore, the use of the Wii Remote and PlayStation Move for motion controls made the shooting mechanics feel more intuitive, enhancing the overall immersion.

Critics widely regarded the game as a strong spin-off, not only enriching the series' backstory but also introducing innovative gameplay mechanics. The visuals were praised for their excellence, with detailed character models and environments that were superior to other games in the genre, and the level design was considered challenging. However, some reviews noted that the light gun shooting gameplay can become monotonous after extended play, with a lack of freedom to explore.

Moreover, some players found the difficulty a bit high, especially during boss battles where failure to master the QTE mechanics could lead to a quick defeat, necessitating repeated attempts. Overall, however, as a successful spin-off, the game retains the core appeal of the Resident Evil series while offering a fresh, exciting experience. This game, blending nostalgia with innovation, provides unique horror and thrill to both longtime fans of the series and newcomers to the Resident Evil universe.