Dead Rising 2
Producer: Capcom
Release Date: September 28, 2010
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, Mocrosoft Windows
Rating: Mature
Genre: Action-RPG
Left for VEGAS
Written by Mike Lowther
It’s been a long time since Dead Rising. Released almost around time of the Xbox 360’s launch date, the original Dead Rising proved to be a solid title by combining revolutionary environments with almost limitless capabilities in a shopping mall. It takes the phrase “sandbox” to a whole new level in the action/survival horror genre. This month, we’re reunited with the sequel from original developer Capcom and the new Blue Castle – and with no surprise, it’s better than ever.
In early September, Xbox Live released Dead Rising 2: Case Zero which allowed a sneak peek at the game and acted as a prequel to the full game. In the demo/prequel, you’re introduced to the story of motocross star Chuck Green and his young daughter. We learn that his daughter is infected and the virus is continuously contained by providing her with daily injections of Zombrex. This is only a treatment, however, and there’s no cure. Throughout a faux Las Vegas, officially tagged Fortune City, there are survivors who are in need of help, and some who can help you. Pawn shops are littered throughout the playing field where you can purchase Zombrex and special weapons. Earn money by hitting the slots, or get drunk and take a sledgehammer to an ATM machine. There’s also a special mission to play poker with the survivors. You clearly don’t need to be lucky to have fun in Fortune City.
Not only can you pick up just about any object lying around Fortune City, you can combine various items to make more powerful weapons in specialized maintenance rooms scattered around the malls, casinos and hotel areas. Items marked with a little blue wrench icon designate that it can be modified. You can combine a box of nails to a baseball bat and whack zombies with a spiked slugger. I’ve rigged a car battery to a rake and stab/shocked the brain matter out of nearby deadwalkers. Get creative and use elements throughout the area. Upon rescuing a group of survivors, one of them had a limp and was running too slow to keep up with the crew. I stumbled across a wheel chair and was able to sit him down and push him through crowds of blood drooling zombies. The survivor AI has much improved; they’re more agile and can stiffen your chances of group survival on the path back to the safe house if you hand them a fine weapon. Multiplayer has also been added where a friend can join your game and help you push way though waves of zombies and deranged psychopaths. There’s also a mode featuring a reality TV based environment stuffed with minigames called Terror Is Reality.
There’s no slacking in the environment creations, as everything from realistic Vegas structures and interiors to Chuck’s clothing is highly detailed. You can even see your own reflection in the mirrors – something even new games today don’t even do. The cinematics are entertaining and there’s definitely wit and humor from the unique characters and decent reading from the voice actors. There are now loads of save points and much easier player handling with a closer third-person view. We can also run while shooting this time around. Dead Rising 2 has simpler control of your character, more save spots, and yes – a digital watch to tell the time.
There’s not much to nitpick here, other than copious amounts of load times which can drain out a little excitement. Every area of the map requires an arduous load time, but it may improve if you install the disc to your hard drive. Considering the excessive graphic detail and lots of stuff going on in each area, it’s understandable. I was surprised to discover you can’t give yourself your own waypoint. You can only use the arrowed waypoint to navigate toward a mission or survivor(s) in need of help, but not for your own personal excursions. Sometimes the stock waypoint tries to take you the long way. Find your shortcuts, since they will be a big time-saver for rescuing survivors.
Overall, I’m very confident to say that this is a solid winner. Replay value is a must, as your points roll over to your following playthrough, and unlockable outfits and goodies are a treat. Slashing zombies with absurd, yet interesting items of your very own creation is just a facet of ingenuity in this game that separates itself from the rest of the titles in it’s genre. Dead Rising 2 is a must-own.
Oh, and remember… what happens in Fortune City, stays in Fortune City.