Dead Rising is one of my favourite games, and it deserves more love…
Find out why this zombie survival game is so underrated, and why you should pick up the new Deluxe Remaster edition.
We’ll look at the story, setting, gameplay and more.
Transcript
Nearly two decades ago, Capcom gave us Dead Rising, a messy masterpiece that shamelessly borrowed from Dawn of the Dead – and somehow dodged a lawsuit. Now, with the release of the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, it’s time to revisit this underrated zombie game and remind ourselves why it still stands out in 2024.
While the first game is a cult classic (big up my Frank West-ers), Dead Rising often feels overshadowed by bigger zombie franchises like Resident Evil. Sure, the series has had its ups and downs since its debut, but so has Resident Evil, so why hasn’t Dead Rising earned the same lasting legacy?
Innovative, campy, violent, and irresistibly silly, Dead Rising is a hidden gem that deserves just as much love as its contemporaries. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so special.
A Playground of Chaos: Rediscovering Willamette Mall
If there was one thing that ‘made’ Dead Rising, it’s the setting: Willamette Parkview Mall. Now, to say it was ‘inspired’ by the mall in Dawn of the Dead is like saying M&Ms were inspired by Smarties – it’s a complete rip off. But I’m so glad they ripped it off.
Whether you’re battling zombies in a jewellery store or grabbing lunch in the food court, every part of the mall is meticulously designed for mayhem. It might not have the vast expanses of the cities in GTA or Saints Row, but its contained environment works to its advantage. Everything feels rich, packed with detail, and begging to be exploited for your survival.
And this very much extends to the weapon system. Almost anything in the mall can be turned into a weapon, from a humble frying pan to a chainsaw, from toys to lawnmowers. The sheer variety of weapons (and how they very rarely take themselves seriously) set the game apart from other zombie titles. You don’t just have to survive with a baseball bat and a pistol with hardly any ammo. You’re constantly encouraged to experiment and indulge in a macabre sense of whimsy. At least I felt some whimsy hitting a zombie with pet food, I don’t know about you.
The Time Mechanic: A Bold Strategy, Cotton
Perhaps one of Dead Rising’s most controversial mechanics is the 72-hour in-game timer. From the moment you land in Willamette Mall, you are racing against the clock to solve the mystery behind the zombie outbreak, rescue survivors, and gather scoops for your story. The timer means you can’t do everything in one playthrough, which could be kind of annoying, particularly if you’re used to doing a completionist run of games. But it was a bold strategy, Cotton and one that definitely paid off.
The time mechanic forces you to make tough decisions. You can’t save everyone or see every cutscene in one go. You have to pick and choose which survivors to help, which missions to prioritise, and which side activities to skip. It adds a layer of pressure that makes the stakes feel higher and creates a sense of replayability that’s rare in games even today.
I’m a big fan of the fact you could just hide in a cupboard and wait out the entire 72 hours there. It’s dull but it’s absolutely what I would do in that situation.
The first time you play Dead Rising, you’ll make mistakes. You’ll miss out on rescuing survivors, finding secrets and easter eggs, and it can be tough knowing you’re skipping over parts. But it’s in these imperfections that the game shines. Each new playthrough offers new opportunities to try new things and roleplay different tactics, making every run feel fresh. The time mechanic pushes you to embrace the chaotic, trial-and-error panic of what a zombie invasion might actually be like.
Frank West: The Relatable, Everyman Hero
Frank West (who I didn’t accidentally call Fred West in the first read through) isn’t your typical video game protagonist. He’s not a grizzled military veteran or a supernatural powerhouse – he’s a photojournalist who’s “covered wars, you know?” This line, uttered in his first introduction, tells you everything you need to know about Frank. He’s confident, maybe too confident, and not exactly heroic in the traditional sense. He’s selfish at times, driven by the pursuit of the perfect scoop rather than a desire to save the world. And yet, it’s his flaws that make him so loveable.
In a world filled with stoic, silent protagonists, Frank’s personality stands out. He’s humorous, a bit of an arsehole, and often clumsy, but it’s hard not to root for him as he fumbles his way through the apocalypse. So it’s basically as if Ash Williams read a different part of the Necronomicon, got teleported to Dawn of the Dead and found a camera. God, that’s a film I’d really like to see.
Playing as the apocalypse’s best cameraman, there’s also a super cool photography mechanic. Frank isn’t just shooting zombies – he’s shooting them. Taking photos for points adds this extra layer of strategy to the game. Do you risk getting closer for the perfect shot of a zombie explosion, or do you stay back and play it safe? The photography system, which was ahead of its time, adds a brilliant blend of immersion and cheesy arcade fun.
What’s New in the Deluxe Remaster?
So what does the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster add to the equation? Well, alongside all the usual graphical upgrades, there’s some quality of life improvements that are so, so welcome.
Heading to the toilet to save was funny for about 5 minutes. And while I enjoyed those 5 minutes, I’m much happier having autosave so I’m not stressing for the next 10+ hours.
The survivors you rescue are also smarter this time around. In the original, they were so frustratingly incompetent that feeding them to the undead almost felt like a mercy. Now, they’re more responsive and less likely to get themselves killed, which makes escort missions more bearable.
Speaking of things being more bearable, the in-game clock has been revamped, adding a fast-forward function so you can skip some of the downtime. It doesn’t remove the pressure, but it does make the flow of the game feel much smoother.
Combat’s been given a nice little boost, too. Frank can now aim and shoot while moving, which, let’s face it, is par for the course nowadays. This brings the gameplay more in line with modern action games, and it makes gunfights feel way more dynamic.
These updates don’t drastically alter the core gameplay, but they make Dead Rising more accessible and enjoyable for modern audiences, while still preserving what made the original so bloody good.
A Game that Balances Horror with Humour
I think my absolute favourite genre of anything is horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously without falling into outright parody. Think the likes of Evil Dead, American Werewolf in London and Cabin in the Woods. And like these greats, one of Dead Rising’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance horror and humour. While the game’s setting is terrifying – trapped in a mall filled with zombies – the tone is anything but grim. From dressing Frank up in ridiculous costumes to battling psychopaths like Adam the Clown, the game never feels oppressively bleak.
This balance of tension and absurdity is one of Dead Rising’s greatest strengths. While other zombie games focus on bleak survival, Dead Rising encourages you to have fun, to experiment, and to embrace the chaos. Sure, you can stick with a baseball bat or handgun, but why would you when you could strap chainsaws to a kayak paddle instead? It’s this sense of freedom and joy in the face of horror that makes the game so memorable, and one of my favourites that I can’t wait to play through again.
But what did you think of Dead Rising, and are you going to pick up the remaster? Please let me know in the comments below, I’d love to read your thoughts. And while you’re down there don’t forget to like and subscribe for plenty more on all things gaming, check out our movie channel UDS films and visit upsidedownshark.com for everything else we’ve got going on.
Until then my name is Tom, this has been UDS and we’ll see you next time.
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Tom Baker
I like Star Wars, heavy metal and BBQ Pringles.
