As a long-time Dead Rising enthusiast who’s been through countless hours of zombie slaying and time management challenges, I must say that the remake has brought back the nostalgia with a refreshing twist. The new autosave feature is a godsend for those moments when the unpredictable AI strikes, causing unexpected deaths in psychopath battles or other challenging situations.
Upon launching Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, it’s hard not to recognize how much progress has been made since its original release in 2006 – a development I wholeheartedly appreciate.
Despite the occasional nostalgic vibe of Dead Rising’s B-Movie plot and exaggerated, cartoonish elements, the ‘Deluxe Remaster’ seems to be a contemporary ode to the original game, especially within the first three hours of play.
He’s been in wars, you know
The Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is essentially a reimagined version, not quite labeled as such; its comically lengthy title stems from the fact that a remastered edition of Dead Rising already exists. However, unlike other potential additions to the series, this isn’t just a repetition. Although they won’t label it a remake, I wouldn’t categorize it as a simple remaster either.
The game has been transferred to RE Engine, enhancing its visuals to match Capcom’s contemporary collection of games. At its best, it holds its ground against Resident Evil Village and Dragon’s Dogma. If you’ve played a recent Capcom title, you’ll understand my reference, and notably, Dead Rising appears as if it were developed in 2024.
For those not familiar, Dead Rising centers around Frank West, a journalist, who ventures into Willamette, Colorado, seeking a story about its enigmatic nature. Upon arrival, he’s deposited at the Parkview Mall where a horde of zombies are poised to break through the doors, much like a frenzied shopping rush during Black Friday sales at a Hull Asda.
In the next 72 hours, an army is expected to arrive, but before they do, Frank needs to accomplish three critical tasks:
In this game, the narrative is divided into distinct “cases,” each featuring unique mysteries surrounding the epidemic. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter powerful adversaries called “psychopaths.” Story-wise, it seems like events are unfolding just as they did in 2006. However, the main differences and enhancements can be seen in the overall gameplay.
In a fresh and engaging manner, every nook and cranny of the Parkview Mall sparkles under the RE Engine. Innovative lighting effects cast a gleam on store signs and eerily light up dimly lit passageways teeming with the undead. The game appears more gruesome than ever before, featuring intricate splatter patterns of blood and what seems to be improved zombie physics. The character models are stunning (save for one particular model I’ll discuss later), and psychopaths in particular receive a significant visual upgrade.
The fighting system has been significantly improved, allowing for more precise aiming not only with guns but also with everyday objects like plates or golf balls. It’s satisfying to use weapons that serve their intended purpose, and the game no longer requires a mad dash to locate powerful items that skew the balance.
Saving time
As a gaming enthusiast, let me express my delight over one of the most significant gameplay transformations I’ve encountered: the inclusion of auto-save feature. This mechanic, which has been a staple for 25 years, left me utterly astonished when I first experienced it in 2006, wondering why it wasn’t implemented earlier.
In this updated version of the game, unlike before when you had to dash swiftly between restrooms inside the shopping mall to preserve your progress, now the game automatically saves itself at key points such as entering a new part of the mall, exiting into the outdoors, or encountering a boss. However, while the original manual saving mechanic is still incorporated, it’s no longer as crucial as it once was.
In Dead Rising-style games where time is crucial, this feature can prove surprisingly useful. Instead of replaying thirty minutes to reach a psychopath fight again, I can simply begin anew outside the door. Now, toilets serve only for manual saves, and if you prefer a traditional experience, you’re free to resume the game from that specific save point, disregarding autosaves entirely.
In Dead Rising, the game can be quite challenging and the AI is erratic, often leading to unexpected character deaths. Consequently, I frequently relied on autosave as I acclimated myself to the game. This autosave feature, along with several other user-friendly aspects in this updated version, should ideally make replaying the story a pleasant experience.
As a devoted Dead Rising fan, one of the series’ hallmarks that always gets me pumped is the thrill of rescuing survivors amidst the chaos and bringing them back to our fortified sanctuary. Unlike the time-restricted zombies we encounter, these survivors behave like contemporary NPCs, responding to my instructions and moving in a more lifelike manner. This time around, I can strategically place markers to guide survivors towards specific locations, and even outfit them with an array of useful items for our joint mission. What an exciting addition to the gameplay!
As a player in this thrilling survival game, I’ve noticed that the survivors I encounter share a bond with me, represented by an affinity meter. By providing them with items they particularly enjoy, their dedication and combat effectiveness significantly increase. This feature doesn’t alter the fundamental mechanics of the main game, but it certainly adds an extra layer of excitement to have a band of resourceful allies who not only follow my lead but also help me tackle the relentless waves of enemies.
I’m open about my fondness for the Dead Rising timer, a point of debate among gamers, but it’s important to mention that the timer has returned with its usual intensity. The game doesn’t last 72 hours in real life, thankfully, and locating survivors is all about being at the right spot at the perfect instant.
In a bustling shopping center, you’ll find yourself darting from one end to another in an attempt to rescue everyone. With meticulous organization, you can manage this task successfully. Dead Rising was always a thrilling race against time, and I believe the series lost some of its allure when that aspect was toned down.
There’s a sense of immediacy in all your actions, which strangely makes the world seem more vibrant. I can’t help but glance at my watch every 10 minutes to ensure there’s enough time for me to accomplish the seemingly impossible, and hopefully, this energy will be contagious for newcomers as well.
Look at how they massacred my boy
Previously, I noted the stunning visual enhancements in the game due to its transition to the RE Engine. Although most aspects have improved significantly, there’s one noticeable modification that stands out: a markedly different appearance for Frank.
It isn’t just about not spotting him since 2006; there was an impressive replica of Frank West in 2016 that was visually appealing. The new portrayal of Frank doesn’t resemble any previous versions of the character, and it appears there’s no reason given for this change.
Frank appears significantly aged compared to before, and it’s evident that his receding hairline isn’t enhancing his appearance. In the game’s debut, Frank boasts, “I’ve been in wars, you understand,” and judging from his current state, it’s clear he’s telling the truth. Additionally, Frank seems to be the only character with a distinct voice, which is somewhat puzzling given that other characters don’t seem to have one. However, Frank’s new voice isn’t particularly conspicuous, probably because I was preoccupied by his peculiar facial expressions.
Fortunately, the game has retained the quirky costume feature, allowing me to customize his attire for amusement during scenes where there is little action.
Final Thoughts
2006’s beloved elements of Dead Rising remain intact, including the precise weapon arrangement on the store shelves. These modifications aim to enhance your gaming experience, but they are equally optional. Whether you’re a dedicated franchise fan or newcomer to the Dead Rising world, there’s much to look forward to in this remake. I only hope that the rest of the game preserves its initial high quality.
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2024-08-13 18:13