Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review – One Foot Out the Grave

As someone who vividly remembers the chaos and thrill of the original Dead Rising back in 2006, I must say that Capcom has truly outdone themselves with the Deluxe Remaster. The gameplay tweaks and quality-of-life improvements have transformed a once rugged experience into a polished, modern zombie-slaying extravaganza.

Previously, many wouldn’t have dared to foresee a resurrection of the Dead Rising series. The hilarious zombie-slaying saga was once an unstoppable force, but its decline in quality across subsequent games led Capcom to seemingly abandon it entirely. Yet, against all odds, we find ourselves with the release of the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, which breathes new life into the series’ original game, refurbishing and upgrading it beautifully. It’s as if Capcom has miraculously revived the Dead Rising franchise from its grave, offering a fresh opportunity for this classic series to thrive once more.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired Capcom for their exceptional work in the gaming industry, particularly with remakes. However, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster isn’t your typical remake or straightforward remaster. It’s not just a rehash; it’s a meticulously crafted upgrade that honors the original while making it more stunning and user-friendly than ever before.

The Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster revitalizes the series’ initial release, offering an improved and polished version. It does so remarkably well, effectively resurrecting the Dead Rising franchise from its resting place for a fresh start.

A key advantage of the game lies in its main action, which remains as captivating as ever. You assume the role of Frank West, a freelance photographer, who journeys to a Colorado town in pursuit of an intriguing news story and instead finds himself trapped within a massive shopping mall overrun with zombies resembling an endless sea. Your objective is to endure for 72 hours until your helicopter rescue arrives on the rooftop, all while unraveling the secrets behind this sudden zombie epidemic during this three-day period.

Two decades post its launch, the open-world zombie-slaying sandbox in “Dead Rising” remains captivatingly immersive. It prioritizes player autonomy, offering an expansive setting for undead carnage and encouraging exploration. You’re free to follow the main storyline, rescue survivors, explore the Willamette Parkview Mall, or just wreak havoc on zombies with whatever weapons you find.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but express my gratitude for the diverse arsenal at my disposal in this game. The sheer joy I derive from wielding each unique weapon is unparalleled, keeping the gameplay consistently engaging. From sledgehammers to parasols, and everything in between like cash registers and chainsaws, there’s an overwhelming variety of weapons just waiting to be discovered and used. The thrill never fades!

Each weapon offers a distinct experience and special perks, such as the baseball bat being ideal for taking down several enemies simultaneously or the baton being more suitable for close combat. Additionally, the game’s humor, particularly its slapstick element, stands out noticeably. Exploring and experimenting with various objects and weapons is consistently enjoyable and adds to the overall experience.

With such an incredible array of weapons at my disposal, each one offering a unique thrill, I’m always captivated by the gameplay. It’s like no two battles are ever the same!

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that the fundamental gameplay loop and the innate strength of Dead Rising truly come to life more vividly in the Deluxe Remaster, thanks to numerous gameplay enhancements and quality-of-life upgrades. For instance, weapons now have visible durability meters, allowing for better strategy. The ability to move while aiming and shooting adds a new level of agility. Time can be fast-forwarded, making progress smoother, and autosaves ensure you don’t lose your hard-earned progress. Dodging is now easier and more responsive. The user interface is more informative and easier to read. Survivor AI is less frustrating due to significant improvements. New photography options have been introduced, and the original’s rough edges have been polished off, making Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster a delight for both newcomers and veterans alike.

Simultaneously, as it strives to modernize the initial gameplay with numerous quality-of-life enhancements, one could argue that the remastered version of Dead Rising has perhaps lost some of its challenging character. The original Dead Rising was quite demanding in its own right, but much of that difficulty has been reduced in the remasters. For instance, weapons are now more durable, firearms are stronger, AI companions are more competent, autosaves make death less severe, and progression has significantly sped up. All these alterations, along with several others like them, cumulatively result in an experience that seems easier than what veteran fans might prefer.

Despite a lower level of difficulty making the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster a less intense gaming experience, it’s still a game that’s tough not to enjoy due to the sheer thrill of running around, slaying hordes of zombies. Additionally, the significant visual and technical improvements in this remaster are worth noting. The Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has completely overhauled the original using Capcom’s RE Engine, resulting in stunning updates across the board. For instance, Parkview Mall and its diverse locations now appear more lively and detailed than ever before. Various aspects of the game have also seen noticeable enhancements, such as enhanced character models with more expressive faces, improved animations, stunning lighting effects, a delightfully grotesque gore display, and much more.

At Parkview Mall and its various sites, they’ve never appeared so lively and rich in detail. Changes can also be noticed elsewhere, such as the characters with more expressive features, better animation, enhanced facial expressions, stunning lighting, and the gruesome gore that now looks both appealing and repulsive in an intriguing way.

Apart from the improved graphics, this updated version boasts fresh voiceovers for nearly every character. Some may prefer the original voices, but the new cast performs exceptionally well, with Jas Patrick stepping into the role of Frank West, who convincingly fills the shoes once worn by Terence J. Rotolo. Overall, it’s a substantial overhaul that surpasses typical remaster standards to such an extent that merely calling this a remaster may not fully capture its true value.

Capcom has truly poured their heart and soul into the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, making it hard not to question whether there’s still life in this series. Even if nothing else, this remaster serves as strong evidence that Dead Rising deserves a continuation. When at its peak, it’s simply outstanding. The original from 2006 still holds the core gameplay that is as engaging and captivating as ever. A multitude of improvements and refinements have been made to enhance the experience, although this does mean sacrificing some of the original’s difficulty. In conclusion, the resurgence of Dead Rising is just as enjoyable an experience as anyone could have anticipated.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

2024-09-17 18:11

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