Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review – Frank’s Zombie-Slaying Shopping Spree Still Rocks Eighteen Years On

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review – Frank's Zombie-Slaying Shopping Spree Still Rocks Eighteen Years On

As a veteran gamer who vividly remembers the days of Xbox 360 and the unforgettable chaos that was Dead Rising, I can confidently say that Capcom has done an exceptional job in breathing new life into this classic zombie-slaying title with the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. The game’s core remains as hilariously entertaining as ever – from charging through hordes of undead with a parasol to wading into crowds with a whirring chainsaw, it’s all here and just as absurdly enjoyable.


Back in 2006, when Xbox 360 was the talk of the town, Dead Rising was undeniably a game that made me want to jump on the bandwagon. With its shift from gladiators to zombies, it stood out as a unique sequel to Shadow of Rome. The sheer horror of countless undead roaming around and the freedom to unleash chaos like never before left an indelible impression on me. Now, with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, Capcom has brought this classic back to life, making it feel fresh and relevant once more. This game still has that bite that made it a sensation almost twenty years ago.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review – Frank's Zombie-Slaying Shopping Spree Still Rocks Eighteen Years On

‘Enhanced Version’ aptly describes the updated take on Dead Rising. It’s not a complete overhaul like a remake nor just a polished version like a regular remaster, but rather something in between that offers an upgraded visual experience, improved controls, and convenient auto saves. Essentially, it’s the classic game you cherish, where you embody Frank West, a photojournalist with a quirky charm, who can still find himself in a cutscene donning kids’ clothes and a giant rubber horse mask. Thousands of zombies await your creative slaying using an array of makeshift weapons.

In simpler terms, you can navigate throngs of zombies with an umbrella or push cart, or armed with a buzzing chainsaw. You’ll encounter various antagonists such as Adam the menacing clown, Steven the disturbed grocery store manager, Larry the aggressive butcher, Sean the fanatical cult leader, and Jo the mentally unstable cop. While you can capture gruesome and intense moments for documentation, avoid taking suggestive or explicit photographs, which were never quite clear in purpose to begin with (these are now referred to as ‘Outtakes’). Essentially, your mission is to carve a blood-soaked trail in search of the truth, ensuring you board the helicopter by midday on September 22nd, before it departs without you.

In various locations throughout the Willamette Parkview Mall, survivors are hiding, and for the next 72 hours, you find yourself in the same predicament as Frank. Your task is to rescue as many of these individuals as possible before time runs out. Some are held captive by psychopaths, some are sheltered within stores, and others refuse help and need to be persuaded. Needless to say, getting all 78 survivors safely back to the security room could prove challenging, but the advanced AI makes it a bit easier. Moreover, Frank will encounter numerous opportunities for information, with security guard Otis frequently contacting you via radio. Frank has a lot on his plate, and time is always pressing.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review – Frank's Zombie-Slaying Shopping Spree Still Rocks Eighteen Years On

Thankfully, the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster offers several enhancements that significantly ease Frank’s (and consequently, your) experience. For instance, the inclusion of checkpoints eliminates the frequent trips to save your game and the tedious journey back to where you perished earlier. Additionally, Frank now has a variety of methods to evade zombie attacks, and adjustments to the control system make the game more enjoyable compared to its initial release eighteen years ago. However, purists can still choose the original control scheme if they prefer.

Enhancements such as the ability to employ weapons during Otis’ chatter via walkie talkie, smarter survivor AI to reduce their tendency to act foolishly, and the option to move while aiming a firearm contribute collectively to a more intuitive gameplay experience overall. Moreover, minor improvements like adding stairs to the security room entrance, which previously made getting survivors up that ledge quite challenging in Dead Rising, seem like a long-overdue addition that leaves one questioning its absence initially. Time can now be fast-forwarded from a save point, eliminating the need for lengthy waiting periods for case progression or new developments to occur.

Improving your speed in accumulating Prestige Points by defeating zombies, psychopaths, and capturing photos allows you to advance Frank’s rank more swiftly, unlocking a complete arsenal of skills sooner. Additionally, you can discover additional features such as a flash for your camera, enabling you to take 100 shots from a single battery instead of just 30. There are numerous other improvements, and when combined, they create a game that runs more smoothly and offers an overall superior experience compared to the initial version. The visual upgrades, masterfully handled by the powerful and consistently impressive RE Engine, stand out right away.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review – Frank's Zombie-Slaying Shopping Spree Still Rocks Eighteen Years On

In the fresh lineup, Jas Patrick excellently assumes T.J. Rotolo’s role as the frequently bewildered character of Frank. Just like before, he expresses the same perplexity towards the puzzling occurrences he encounters. The rest of the voice actors seamlessly fit into their roles too, making the transition in voice talent almost unnoticeable – unless you were specifically looking for a change, it would be challenging to spot any differences.

The facial expressions in this remastered version also receive an upgrade thanks to the RE Engine, while maintaining the game’s distinctive, stylized appearance and campy B-movie dialogue. Essentially, the Deluxe Remaster hasn’t sacrificed any original elements; instead, most of the enhancements, improvements, and modifications have been beneficial, resulting in a significantly improved gaming experience. Drawing inspiration from George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead with its mall-themed chaos (but without the critique of capitalism and consumerism), Dead Rising has undergone a remarkable revival, much like one of its zombie characters – it may be old, but it’s far from being dead yet.

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2024-09-17 18:12

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