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Dead Rising has always held a unique place in the zombie game genre. Developed by Capcom, a Japanese company known for its Western-influenced titles like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, the series initially captivated players with its blend of humor, intense survival mechanics, and a surprisingly high degree of interactivity. Unfortunately, Dead Rising 4 not only fails to recapture the magic of its predecessors, but actively dismantles the core elements that defined the series, leaving fans with a hollow and ultimately unsatisfying experience.

Frank West in Dead Rising 4

The “Saint-Row-ification” of Frank West

One of the most jarring changes in Dead Rising 4 is Frank West himself. The original Frank, conceived by Keiji Inafune, was an everyman with a quirky personality, balancing humor and optimism against a backdrop of chaotic horror. In Dead Rising 4, Frank feels like a pale imitation, a Michael de Santa-esque caricature who tries too hard to be “cool” and relatable, delivering cringe-worthy one-liners that clash with the game’s tone. This attempt to portray a more mature Frank falls flat, leaving him feeling disconnected and unlikeable. Adding insult to injury, the game features a single, underwhelming ending and a cast of forgettable supporting characters, including Vick, Frank’s student, whose illogical actions serve only to awkwardly advance the plot.

A Shallow Sandbox

A common misconception about Dead Rising is that it’s a mindless zombie-slaying power fantasy. The original games emphasized survival, forcing players to scavenge for resources and utilize their environment creatively. Frank and Chuck, the protagonists of the first two games, could pick up and wield almost any object, turning everyday items like frying pans, chairs, and even food into makeshift weapons. This level of interactivity created a sense of vulnerability and resourcefulness, making players feel like genuine survivors.

Dead Rising 4 environment

Dead Rising 4, however, drastically reduces this interactivity. Many objects are purely decorative, and the game rigidly categorizes items into melee weapons, firearms, throwable objects, and healing items. This restrictive system eliminates the emergent gameplay of the originals, preventing players from experimenting with different combinations and strategies. Even healing items are reduced to simple slots, removing the ability to mix drinks for special effects.

Dumbed-Down Weaponry

Combo weapons, a hallmark of the series since Dead Rising 2, have been similarly simplified and stripped of their charm. In Dead Rising 2, these weapons were powerful but fragile, rewarding creativity and offering a tactical advantage against bosses. Their construction was often absurd but grounded in a sense of practicality; a nail bat was made from nails and a baseball bat, a bladed bootsaw from a boot and a chainsaw. Dead Rising 4’s combo weapons, on the other hand, are overpowered and illogical. An ice sword can be crafted from a small knife and some nitrogen, a hammer explodes on impact, and a crossbow launches fireworks. These weapons trivialize the combat, turning the game into a mindless power trip further exacerbated by the ability to purchase pre-built combo weapons from NPCs.

Combo weapons in Dead Rising 4

Where’s the Challenge?

The removal of the time limit, while a controversial decision, is only one of the many factors contributing to Dead Rising 4’s lack of challenge. With readily available weapons, abundant resources, and easily dispatched enemies, the game offers little incentive for strategic play. The Maniac enemies, replacing the Psychopaths, are generic and pose no real threat. The intricate level design, challenging boss fights, and strategic Zombrex collection of previous games are replaced with a repetitive and uninspired open world lacking in meaningful activities. Even the zombie hordes, while faster, are easily dealt with thanks to the overpowered weaponry.

Dead Rising 4 gameplay

The Missing Time Limit and Replayability

The time limit in the original Dead Rising games, while divisive, encouraged replayability and strategic planning. Players were motivated to learn the layout of the world and optimize their routes, leading to different outcomes and a sense of accomplishment. Removing the time limit eliminates this dynamic, leaving Dead Rising 4 feeling shallow and lacking in long-term appeal.

Conclusion

Dead Rising 4 attempts to reboot the series by streamlining its mechanics and focusing on action, but in doing so, it sacrifices the very elements that made the franchise unique. The result is a disappointing and forgettable experience that fails to capture the spirit of its predecessors. Instead of returning to its roots, Dead Rising 4 stumbles into a shallow imitation of its former self, leaving fans wondering what could have been.