Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Preview: 24 Hours in Willamette Parkview Mall Has Never Felt Better

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Preview: 24 Hours in Willamette Parkview Mall Has Never Felt Better

As a long-time fan who’s had their fair share of late nights hunching over an Xbox 360 controller, slaying zombies in the sprawling malls of Willamette, I can confidently say that Capcom’s decision to remaster Dead Rising is like finding a fresh pair of boots after years of walking barefoot. The original was a gem, no doubt, but the 4K makeover and smoothed-out mechanics in the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster are like getting a new, shinier version of an old favorite horror flick.


As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that Capcom didn’t truly nail the gritty, horror-filled atmosphere of George Romero’s zombie films in their previous titles until they unleashed the epic Dead Rising in 2006. With its hilariously cheesy dialogues, excessive gore and action, and clever satire of modern life, Dead Rising quickly became a cult classic, much like Romero’s masterpieces such as Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead. It was one of the Xbox 360’s early must-have exclusives that left an indelible mark. Now, Capcom’s decision to revamp and re-release Dead Rising as the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster feels like receiving a pristine 4K remaster of a cherished horror flick. After getting my hands on it, I can confirm that Dead Rising has never looked or played better.

Just as I was captivated by the outstanding remake of Dead Space last year, this time around, I’m thrilled by the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. It leverages its loyalty to the original game while refining some minor kinks in gameplay mechanics and giving it an eye-catching makeover. The essence of being a zombie-slaying investigative journalist remains the soul of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, but the updated character models and textures breathe new life into memories of the game for fans like me.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Fixes Just About Every Complaint Fans Had About the Original

Capcom only allowed players to experience the initial 24 hours of the “72 Hour Mode” in their early demo of the revamped version of Dead Rising, but even within this brief period, it’s evident that the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster surpasses the original in numerous ways. The enhanced visuals, with their focus on showcasing the gory details and sheer number of zombies, are a significant improvement. Moreover, the control scheme in the remastered version feels more responsive than the original, making movement more precise. This results in combat feeling more immersive and gratifying. Although Frank West’s movements still have a certain looseness, this seems to enhance the game’s humor rather than cause frustration in the DRDR.

One of the more controversial aspects of the original game was the inclusion of several escort missions, with the character AI often leading survivors right into a crowd of bloodthirsty undead rather than into the arms of safety. The handful of escort missions that were playable in DRDR‘s first 24 hours immediately feel better than in the original, with survivor AI being more responsive, reactive, and altogether sensible. Survivors also tend to hold their own in combat, and the new ability to see the durability of weapons (both the survivors’ and Frank’s) means never being backed into a corner due to weapon breakage.

Dead Rising’s Core Gameplay Loop Is Still Satisfying Nearly 20 Years Later

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Preview: 24 Hours in Willamette Parkview Mall Has Never Felt Better

Beyond making some adjustments to a few tricky aspects in the original game and giving it a stunning new appearance, the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster preserves the fundamental features that made the 2006 edition a timeless classic. In Dead Rising, time is a valuable resource, forcing players to carefully consider their choices about where to go and what actions to take. However, the game’s design ensures that players are rewarded for almost every activity they engage in, creating an engaging loop where exploration and interaction with the game’s systems are continually encouraged. Players will continue to spend a lot of time taking photographs, gathering everyday objects, and using them to attack zombies. Essentially, DRDR offers the most visually appealing and responsive experience of this gameplay style.

In its preliminary version, the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster performs exceptionally well from a technical standpoint. It offers sharp 4K graphics that run smoothly at around 60 frames per second. Given the potential for numerous zombies to appear simultaneously, it’s quite impressive that this remaster can maintain such high-quality visuals and performance. Some might have found it surprising that Capcom decided to rejuvenate the Dead Rising franchise, but with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster (DRDR), it’s becoming increasingly clear that there’s still vitality in the undead bodies of this series.

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2024-08-15 17:34