“Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster” brings back the classic zombie-slaying action that first captivated players in 2006 on the Xbox 360. For me, this was one of those early titles that truly felt “next-gen” at the time, it set a standard for open-world gameplay, and with this, Capcom’s remastered version aims to enhance that experience while addressing some of the original’s shortcomings. I remember vividly playing “Dead Rising” on a CRT TV and always got frustrated that all the text in this game was so incredibly small. I then realized I just needed to upgrade to an HD TV. Eventually I got with the times, but I haven’t played this game since. So, while this may have been a smaller issue for many and is obviously not the most notable issue that needed addressing, it was immediately what I noticed at first, aside from the updated graphics.
For a game that is almost twenty years old now, I won’t get too into the weeds of the story, but it revolves around Frank West, a photojournalist who finds himself trapped in a zombie-infested shopping mall in Willamette, Colorado. With only three days until a rescue helicopter arrives, Frank must uncover the mystery behind the outbreak and save as many survivors as he can. Offering multiple endings based on your choices and what you manage to do throughout the game. The main gameplay mode, 72 Hour Mode, challenges you to solve the mystery within a three-day timeframe while rescuing people. Urgency is common; some survivors must be saved within specific windows, and certain missions require you to be at particular locations at designated times. Thankfully, this remaster allows you to speed up time, which alleviates some of the tedium of waiting around, if you’re trying to speed through the game. Having said that though, I like that the game encourages you to explore and goof around and that’s what these pockets of time are originally meant for.
One of the most notable improvements in “Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster” is its visual overhaul. The game looks much better than its predecessor, everything looks both rebuilt from the ground up but also very familiar, everything is just more vibrant and immersive. Thankfully, the tone remains all over the place (as it should), swinging between horror and comedy to absurd degrees. You will either jive with this weirdness or be put off by it, but with all the serious and scary zombie games out there, I always appreciated Capcom’s commitment to just have some fun. The remaster also addresses several action-related limitations from the original game. For instance, Frank can now move while shooting and chatting on his walkie-talkie, I only read about this, honestly, it’s been so long since I played that I forgot this was an issue. While the improved AI makes it easier to rescue survivors, they can still be a pain to escort. Despite the enhancements, their unpredictable behavior can lead to frustrating situations, especially when you’re trying to navigate through hordes of zombies. It’s a welcome change, but there are moments when it feels like they’re still more hindrance than help. Additionally, the introduction of visible durability meters for weapons is a significant quality-of-life improvement. That’s the key take away with this release, quality-of-life improvements. Playing this made me feel happy and nostalgic, but if I had played the original game today, I’m pretty sure I’d be bombarded with mechanics (or lack thereof) that would have frustrated me. We just lived in a clunkier time in gaming twenty years ago, and I’m glad we’ve evolved as gamers.
Games at this age really do require a fresh coat of paint and sometimes a bit more. That’s exactly why “Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster” has successfully revitalized a beloved classic, addressing many of its predecessor’s flaws while enhancing the overall experience. Fans of the original will appreciate the updates, while newcomers will find a compelling, chaotic adventure in the world of Willamette.
9/10
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Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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