The House of the Dead 2: Remake Interview – PS5/Xbox Resolution, New Content, Gameplay, and More

MegaPixel Studio is diligently working on their forthcoming remake of House of the Dead 2, and Forever Entertainment’s marketing and communications manager, Monika Ginter, graciously answered some questions about The House of the Dead 2: Remake. Topics ranged from adapting the overall gameplay from arcade machines to controls, to more playful aspects like maintaining the spirit of the original game. Moreover, Ginter shared insights on the audience’s reaction towards classic games that might be unfamiliar to them. Here, you can read the interview below.

How much of a market are you seeing for remakes of old light-gun shooters like House of the Dead?

The revamped versions of the classic games “House of the Dead” and “Panzer Dragoon” demonstrated a substantial appetite in the gaming industry for remakes of old titles, particularly on-rail shooters. This appeal isn’t limited to veteran gamers who fondly recall the golden era of gaming with nostalgia; it also extends to a new generation of players who enjoy the retro gaming experience reimagined for modern times.

What has the reaction been, particularly among the original fans and a fresh audience, towards reintroducing games similar to these?

In this upcoming installment of the highly esteemed series, which essentially offers a fresh take on the initial game, has ignited a wide and passionate reaction not only from long-time enthusiasts but also from newcomers who are just getting into The House of the Dead. Since we unveiled the project, we’ve been consistently receiving messages from people eager for its launch. This level of enthusiasm truly inspires our team.

Since we unveiled the project, there’s been a consistent flow of messages coming our way from folks excitedly waiting for its launch.

What kind of difficulties have arisen when trying to adapt the classic light-gun gameplay from The House of the Dead 2 for its remake?

Most of the foundational technical work was established during the creation of the initial remake, enabling us to streamline the gameplay mechanics and ensure a more seamless experience in the sequel. However, we’re still dedicated to enhancing the control system, a key aspect for any on-rail shooter, and are actively seeking innovative methods to optimize it for both console and PC versions.

Apart from the aesthetic changes, will there be any additional content like extra mission levels or mini-games included in The House of the Dead 2: Remake?

Indeed, The House of the Dead 2: Remake not only builds upon the foundation laid by the initial remake, but we’re determined to take the gaming experience a step further than just a cosmetic overhaul. Gamers can anticipate an assortment of fresh content, such as novel weapons, a plethora of unlockable milestones, and an enlarged in-game collection. This collection will serve as a showcase for enemy types, weaponry, collectibles, and other components. Although we’re adhering to the core on-rails gameplay, we’re also exploring innovative ways to provide additional challenges and elements of replay value that were absent in the original version.

Has maintaining some of the campy elements from the original House of the Dead 2 been difficult during the remake process?

The classic “House of the Dead” series evokes a special sense of nostalgia, with its exaggerated, humorous appeal being characteristic of that time period. We’re making every effort to retain that kitschy ambiance in the remake while integrating it with modern graphics. It’s indeed a tough task, considering how legendary the original voice acting in “The House of the Dead 2” has become.

What’s the toughest aspect about playing House of the Dead 2, and how might that difficulty translate into the remake?

In the vein of any on-rail shooter, The House of the Dead 2: Remake relies heavily on rhythm and pace. Achieving a tempo that accurately reflects the original game, while seamlessly combining it with music, cinematics, and enemy confrontations, presents a crucial challenge. This blend must be executed with precision.

Earlier versions of ‘House of the Dead’ evoke a special kind of nostalgia, with their exaggerated, humorous appeal being characteristic of that time period.”

“The initial installments of ‘House of the Dead’ have a distinctive sense of nostalgia due to their flamboyant, comical style that was emblematic of that specific era.

As a developer, I’d like to share my perspective on the potential PS5 Pro. In terms of gaming development, how does the enhanced GPU in Pro model compare to the base PS5?

This way, the question is rephrased to be more conversational and easier for a human to understand.

Utilizing the enhanced GPU capability of the PS5 Pro has proven quite beneficial, especially in the process of porting the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP) version of the game onto the console. Previously, this high-end graphics feature was only available on PC systems.

What are your thoughts on PSSR? What kind of opportunities will this open for the game?

Any tech that improves gameplay smoothness is undeniably beneficial, and this is particularly important for games like “The House of the Dead 2: Remake” where frame rate consistency and responsiveness are crucial. Although we’ve always strived for high frame rates without relying on PSSR, having the ability to use upscaling techniques provides us with extra versatility. This flexibility enables us to keep the visuals sharp while improving performance, ensuring the game remains fast and seamless across compatible hardware.

At what screen resolutions and frame rates is the game intended to run on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and potential future versions of PlayStation 5 like the ‘Pro’ model?

On all devices, our primary goal is a screen resolution of 1080p. Interestingly, both standard models of PS5 and Xbox Series consoles tend to perform closer to native 4K in actual use. Regarding performance, we aim for a steady 60 frames per second on the standard editions of each platform. For PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X, the game will accommodate up to 120 FPS, providing an even more seamless gaming experience for those using compatible screens.

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2025-06-18 17:41