Remaster of the dead
The original Dead Rising game was a pinnacle moment in gaming. It opened up the beginning of the year flood of games we are accustomed to today, as well as creating a unique experience that set the tone for that generation of games. Capcom delivered an interesting take on the zombie genre that, if you were there, is unforgettable. That isn’t to say it wasn’t without issues. There were a ton of mechanics that had their fair share of frustrations. Now almost 20 years later we get to go on Frank’s inaugural adventure with plenty of quality-of-life changes. Revisiting this game was special, and the changes they have made make this worth revisiting, as well as opening it up to new players.
If you never played the original, let’s start with the elevator pitch. Dead Rising follows the exploits of photojournalist Frank West. The game begins with him flying over the city of Willamette as a zombie invasion is breaking out. He decides to get the pilot to drop him off on the roof of the mall and is stranded there for 72 hours. The idea is to explore, document, and discover what is all behind it. It is campy, quirky, all while being uniquely interesting.
MSRP: $49.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99
The core concept of the game should be familiar to modern gamers. This was one of the first examples of a rogue-style game. It basically worked on the idea of runs. However, instead of shorter spurts, Dead Rising tested players to go as far as they could (which could be hours) and then restarting with all your upgrades. There really wasn’t much like it in 2006, unlike today where nearly every game wants to abuse this mechanic.
What I loved about this game was that there are tons of things to do, but not all are required. So going back and doing side missions and rescuing different people led to different endings. It truly was unique when it was released. This of course is all wrapped in the anxiety-inducing time limit. Everything in the game is on a timer, making some missions impossible to complete if you choose to do a different one. It really adds to the tension and overall atmosphere.
Starting up the game players are presented with options for two control schemes. I could opt for the original controls or the modern ones. While I appreciate the inclusion of the original, I cannot fathom why anyone would want to use those. The modern controls make such a huge difference. It does change a few things such as picking up items, but I adapted to it within 20 minutes. Also being able to move and aim/shoot, is HUGE. It does make some boss fights a lot easier, which I appreciate because in the original, they were truly a test of all my patience.
Navigation has also received an upgrade. I could now mark multiple missions as opposed to just one. It uses a compass system that directs players much more easily. The map is also easier to read. Saving is massively improved. You can still save at restrooms and the control center, but it also autosaves whenever you move into a new area. This is massive. Not having to make a detour just to save my progress is a huge boon to replayability. The developers clearly knew what pain points to address with this remaster.
Another big change they have added to this version is fast-forwarding. You can now skip ahead to main story missions, which makes hunting down certain Achievements more manageable, but I don’t recommend using this on the first run. The game is still the same at its core, so it is designed to not be finished on the first play. Thankfully leveling is much faster, so it won’t take 5-10 runs to level up high enough for the endgame. There are just so many great changes in this version, it feels like an entirely new experience with the same feeling. Capcom absolutely nailed it.
Visually speaking the updates are fine. Dead Rising already had a great art style with the more cartoon-style designs. The new coat of paint looks good, and the frame rate is much better. I am not the biggest fan of Frank’s voice change though. I have his original actor embedded in my brain.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remastered is a perfect way to return to the game that started it all. The quality-of-life changes make it feel fresh while still retaining the feel of the original. Fans of the original game will be pleased with this remaster and newcomers will be able to get into it without the hurdles the original came with. I hope Capcom continues to bring back their classic games. Now is the time Capcom, Dino Crisis, make it happen.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
