Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
A decade after Capcom redefined survival horror gaming with its seminal Resident Evil series, the Japanese developer breathed some fresh life into the rotting corpse genre with Dead Rising. While the 2006 action title followed in the shuffling footsteps of the studio's flagship franchise, it traded on its more serious storytelling and melodramatic characters for a campy, George A. Romero-inspired romp that saw players creatively carve their way through a zombie-infested Colorado mall.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster invites fans back to the quarantined shopping mecca, where photojournalist protagonist Frank West once more finds himself wielding ridiculous weapons – while wearing equally absurd costumes – against hordes of foot-dragging foes. As its extended title suggests though, this new release has been significantly prettied up with a fresh coat of polygons. Packed with more, sharper details, improved character models, and increased fidelity across the board, its presentation is nearly on par with contemporary titles.
A number of smaller quality-of-life tweaks make for a much smoother, more enjoyable zombie apocalypse.
Whether you're comically eviscerating zombies with a mannequin torso – while dressed in a belly shirt and horse-head mask, obviously – or hilariously scarfing down an entire baguette for a quick health boost, the game's over-the-top, B-movie shenanigans have never looked better. But unlike most remasters, Dead Rising offers so much more than a mere makeover. The graphical overhaul is accompanied by a ton of gameplay polish that smooths out many of the rough edges that occasionally made the original such a frustrating slog.
Most notably, the rigid save system has been replaced with a far less punishing approach that ensures you won't lose much progress upon meeting an untimely demise. So even if a walking corpse tears into you like a free sample at the food court, you needn't worry about repeating a lengthy section of the story.
Additionally, a much improved navigation system removes the tedium and confusion that led to players getting lost in the sprawling shopping center — a frequent occurrence that often resulted in escorted survivors being needlessly mauled. These updates barely scratch the surface though, as a number of smaller quality-of-life tweaks, such as the ability to now move Frank while he's firing a gun, make for a much smoother, more enjoyable zombie apocalypse.
Some returning issues, like clunky boss encounters and lackluster AI (trying to lead clueless characters to safety can still be a headache,) unfortunately recall the game's 18-year-old origins. But for every annoyance, there's a handful of enhancements that make this return to the Willamette Parkview Mall feel more like a thoughtful remake, similar to Capcom's recent Resident Evil do-overs, than a quick, cash-grabbing remaster.
