Introduction to Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
Like any series that emerges from humble beginnings only to turn into products that don’t resemble their initial outing, games like Dead Space and even Tomb Raider come to mind. That said, I believe the original Dead Rising gave players an experience that Capcom attempted to capitalize on through sequels but never quite captured what made the series great. It’s like they always leaned too far into one system, which would inevitably throw off the balance of creativity and mindlessness found in this series’ origins.
Back when the game was released, everyone was talking about how much they loved the characters, time limit, and insane usable weapons, so what do you think Capcom did with the sequels? Well, they went a little too far into each of those points by expanding the world, creating new leads, bringing back the original lead, and then a bunch of other weird stuff that bloated the entire experience and detracted from the original idea of being an arcade-like action experience with high replay value and one incredibly unassuming protagonist.
Revisiting the 72-Hour Mode
I had the opportunity to play the 72-Hour Mode of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster and share my thoughts on the first two in-game days. What I’m happy to report is that this is Dead Rising. And while my memories of the game are more tied to watching my friends and older brother play it, I have fond memories of some of the ridiculous things people would do in this game. You see, one incredible aspect of Dead Rising, and one that is still true today, is that the game knows how to have fun. Although based on reality, the entire experience is about understanding when to lean into chaos and insanity, as well as what to be grounded to provide context to the situation. Dead Rising will never be a game that takes itself seriously, and although the sequels may detract from that, it’s very easy to spot within the first hour of gameplay.
Improved Controls and Graphics
So, let’s start with the improved controls. Thankfully, modern times have improved third-person action game controls, and Frank West now can easily be controlled through the aisles of this shopping mall, avoiding zombies and saving lives. From the opening moments, I will say everything is how I remember it being. The entirety of the experience stays true to the original with no real changes. Even the NPCs acted as they normally do, but their AI does seem to be improved as I didn’t have to go back or instruct survivors as often as I used to.
Staying True to the Original
In fact, I would say the biggest improvement to Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is the graphics, which are now in Re Engine. Everything looks great, which is more evident during the creepy scenes where the characters are more expressive. During gameplay, again, it’s all very much the same. Sure, the game looks noticeably prettier, but don’t expect an increase in zombies, newly updated routes, or scene alterations.
Why Dead Rising Still Matters
What’s evident is just how much fun this game is, almost 20 years later. This is a game that wants you to replay it, but it also gives players room to make their own choices and figure out the game instead of constantly being spoonfed tips. You’re encouraged to try new things and explore areas to save citizens while progressing the campaign. It’s a little disheartening with people dying, but this is a game that you’ll want to reply to, and it’s one that constantly delivers, even through its campaign mode.
Dead Rising will never be a game that takes itself seriously, and that’s clear within the first hour of gameplay.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I enjoy it when a game is just trying to be a game. A good example of this would be the Yakuza series, but I think Dead Rising is just a game that gets it. We don’t see these overly complicated features or forced emotional scenes to keep player investment. Instead, we have a timed experience with arcade-like systems, which is something that may be difficult to develop today.
Conclusion: Anticipating the Full Experience
The demand for Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster signifies that the game industry is hungry for fun video games. And thankfully, it’s still hell of a good time. There’s always going to be room for large narrative and skill-based action experiences, but sometimes, you just want to knock out some zombies while riding a skateboard as a middle-aged photographer through a mall, and I’m glad I can do that. If anything, the opening of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has me looking forward to what awaits and uncovering the newer elements of this remastered package.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam on September 18, 2024.
