The Xbox 360 and PS3 era delivered a treasure trove of innovative and unique games, many of which still hold up remarkably well today. Dead Rising, Capcom’s zombie-slaying classic, is a prime example, and its recent revival in the form of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster reinforces this notion. This review explores how this remastered version maintains the chaotic fun of the original while implementing modern enhancements.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster faithfully recreates the core experience of the original game. Players step into the shoes of photojournalist Frank West, who finds himself trapped in the Willamette Parkview Mall during a sudden zombie outbreak. Armed with an arsenal of improvised weapons found throughout the mall, Frank must fight for survival while unraveling the mystery behind the epidemic.
alt text: Frank West wielding a makeshift weapon in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
The core gameplay loop of scavenging for weapons and decimating hordes of zombies remains as satisfying as ever. The Deluxe Remaster also introduces several quality-of-life improvements, making the experience smoother and more fluid. Powered by Capcom’s RE Engine, the game boasts increased zombie density and faster respawn rates. While the higher zombie count enhances the sense of overwhelming chaos, the rapid respawns can sometimes diminish the satisfaction of clearing an area.
A significant improvement in Deluxe Remaster is the enhanced survivor AI. Escorting survivors to safety, a notoriously frustrating aspect of the original, is now much less cumbersome. The original Dead Rising often felt like a frustrating babysitting simulator, but the remaster strikes a better balance, making survivor rescue missions less of a chore.
alt text: Adam the Clown confronting Frank West in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
The addition of auto-saves is another welcome change, eliminating the need to constantly reload from fixed save points, particularly during challenging boss encounters. This seemingly small tweak significantly reduces the frustration associated with the original’s save system.
However, not all changes are for the better. Some character dialogue and appearances have been altered without clear justification. These changes don’t necessarily detract from the experience, but they feel unnecessary and somewhat puzzling. Similarly, Frank West’s redesigned character model and new voice actor, while not inherently bad, lack the charm of the original.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is a testament to the enduring appeal of the franchise. The gameplay enhancements, combined with the core thrill of zombie-slaying mayhem, make this the definitive version of the original Dead Rising. While some changes may be questionable, the overall experience remains a blast, offering a glimpse into the potential for future installments in the series.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is available digitally for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A courtesy copy of the game was provided by Capcom for the purposes of this review.
