Dead Rising: Deluxe Remaster reinvigorates a classic

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Dead Rising: Deluxe Remaster has managed to strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity. Having played the original back in ’06, I can attest to the numerous improvements Capcom has made without losing the essence of the apocalyptic adventure we all love.

I dropped by Willamette Mall recently to preview an upcoming release of Dead Rising: Deluxe Remaster. This is essentially a modernized version of the 2006 zombie game, with Capcom adding improved visuals and user-friendly updates that make the gameplay smoother without losing the original apocalyptic feel.

Once more, you assume the role of photojournalist Frank West in Dead Rising, where players are challenged to uncover the cause behind the zombie infestation in Willamette, Colorado. This must be done within 72 hours before an evacuation helicopter arrives. In Dead Rising 4: Deadly Downtown, there’s a fresh look and new voice actor for Frank West. Fans of the original series might need some time to adjust to the new voice, but I think the updated character model is a fitting modern enhancement.

Regarding recent updates, Capcom has been focusing on aligning Dead Rising’s narrative and characters with current societal norms. This involves toning down certain questionable dialogue from Frank and other non-playable characters, as well as revamping designs to eliminate offensive stereotypes. In addition, the Erotica photo challenges, which previously offered rewards for capturing images of women’s legs and chests, have been removed entirely in Dead Rising 2 Remake.

A key aspect of Dead Rising’s gameplay involves collecting various objects scattered throughout the mall and using them as weapons against hordes of zombies. In the initial version, players could tell an item’s durability was dwindling when it would start flashing red. However, in Dead Rising 4: Distant Storm, each item comes with a full durability gauge, allowing players to keep track of their weapon’s condition from the moment they pick it up until it eventually breaks.

Similar to the initial game, Frank can guide Non-Player Characters (NPCs) towards safety and have them join him in combat within the mall. This capability reappears in DRDR, introducing a fresh element that tailors each character uniquely. Now, every NPC has individual preferences for certain items, such as weapons, food, or drinks. If you provide an NPC with their preferred item, they’re more prone to use it and will operate more effectively when doing so.

In the updated version, guiding non-player characters through the shopping mall became less tedious due to enhanced AI for survivors. While I still needed to issue regular instructions, it wasn’t as irritating as in the previous game, where I often felt more like a caretaker than a player, managing other characters.

In DRDR (Dead Rising 4), Capcom significantly enhanced the graphics, making it appear more like a remastered version than a simple remake. The weapons, zombies, and characters all have an improved appearance, outshining even the visuals from the 2016 re-release. Moreover, Capcom incorporated additional voice lines for characters who initially communicated only through text boxes.

The Enhanced Version of Dead Rising is turning out to be an exciting experience for enthusiasts of the initial zombie game. Improvements in gameplay mechanics alleviate some of the issues encountered in the 2006 release, and the visual upgrade gives it a fresh, new feel that goes beyond mere remastering.

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2024-08-13 18:27