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The Dead Rising series, developed and published by Capcom, holds a special place within the zombie survival genre. While overshadowed by its more famous sibling, Resident Evil, Dead Rising has cultivated a loyal fanbase thanks to its unique gameplay mechanics, particularly the ability to wield virtually any object as a weapon. After the disappointing reception of Dead Rising 4 in 2016, the franchise seemed to fade into obscurity. However, in June of this year, Capcom surprised fans with the announcement of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, a revitalized version of the original game. This review explores the improvements and shortcomings of this latest iteration.

A Stunning Visual Overhaul

Built on the RE Engine, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster receives a significant visual upgrade that goes beyond simple resolution and texture enhancements. Character models, including both Frank West and the hordes of undead, have been meticulously rebuilt with a heightened level of detail. The Willamette Parkview Mall, the game’s primary setting, also benefits from this graphical revamp. Added environmental details, such as foliage and decorative elements, breathe new life into the already expansive playground. Furthermore, the enhanced lighting and shadow effects create a more immersive and realistic atmosphere. The overall visual presentation feels more akin to a full-fledged remake than a simple remaster.

Enhanced Visuals

Beyond the graphical improvements, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster retains the core gameplay elements that defined the original. Players can still utilize almost any object as a weapon, scavenge for food in various stores, and experience the same blend of horror and B-movie humor that made the original so unique.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster introduces several welcome additions that enhance the gameplay experience. A prominent new feature is the weapon durability meter, displayed on-screen, allowing players to easily manage their arsenal. This eliminates the guesswork of determining a weapon’s remaining lifespan.

Weapon Durability Meter

Another seemingly minor but significant improvement is the addition of a staircase near the safehouse entrance. This addresses a frustrating issue from the original where escorting multiple survivors proved challenging due to their AI’s inability to navigate the area efficiently. The staircase simplifies this process, streamlining survivor management.

The “kill time” mechanic is another valuable addition. In the original game, players often faced scenarios where waiting for story events felt tedious, yet the time constraints of side missions prevented them from engaging in other activities. The “kill time” mechanic allows players to efficiently manage downtime, maintaining the game’s pacing.

Kill Time Mechanic

Other noteworthy improvements include the ability to use large, heavy weapons as temporary shields against gunfire, making boss fights more manageable, and the full voice acting for all NPCs, adding depth to the game world. Capcom has successfully modernized the experience without compromising the core elements that made the original a classic, avoiding the overuse of the “combo weapon” feature that plagued later installments.

Lingering Issues

Despite the substantial improvements, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster suffers from some lingering issues. Otis, the security guard who serves as the mission dispatcher, continues to interrupt gameplay with calls, even during crucial moments like boss fights. While the remaster allows players to receive calls mid-combat, it lacks a “skip” option or a more streamlined delivery system, such as integrating mission information directly into the menu, similar to Cyberpunk 2077’s approach.

Otis Calls

The game’s map remains segmented into smaller areas, a technical limitation from the original release. While understandable in 2006, this segmented design feels outdated in 2024, especially considering Capcom’s ability to create seamless environments, as demonstrated in Resident Evil 4 Remake. This segmented map creates frustration during escort missions, as survivors can get stuck during loading screens between areas.

Segmented Map

Other minor shortcomings include a lack of zombie variety, with identical models often appearing in close proximity, and the absence of bloodstains on Frank’s clothing after intense combat, a detail present in the original.

Conclusion

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster successfully revitalizes the classic zombie survival experience with impressive visual enhancements and quality-of-life improvements. However, lingering issues, particularly Otis’s intrusive calls and the segmented map design, detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the remaster offers a compelling return to the Willamette Mall outbreak, showcasing the enduring appeal of the original Dead Rising’s unique gameplay.