Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is a better version of a classic, flawed game. Those blemishes are sometimes more glaring today, but some great fixes to the overall package also erase some other issues entirely. Its timeless qualities, like an absurd story and a fun setting, keep it from feeling like an unwelcome retread. Still, I'd hope the next Dead Rising fixes a lot of what this one does poorly--and even some of its sequels did that, so it seems likely. In 2024, Dead Rising is no longer the sort of game that would make me run out and buy a new console, but it is a game that I'm happy to revisit in this improved form.

Capcom has delivered on its promises. Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster polishes up the original game, but leaves some annoying elements intact. There was potential for more, perhaps a full-fledged remake - it's a shame the developers didn't have more courage.

If Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is any indication, the core philosophy of the game still works in 2024. Running around the mall with an array of silly weapons is still brutal fun, the time restrictions of 72 Hour Mode make each decision heavy and important, and the Willamette Parkview Mall has never looked better. However, there's some jank under the hood, a few key improvements are missing, and the story could have used a small adjustment or two for modern times. None of these problems, however, serve as mortal wounds; like the zombies, our enjoyment with DRDR keeps coming back whenever those issues turn up.

Dead Rising shows that it still has style after all these years. Especially the hordes of zombies and killing them is timeless and still fits today. Some of the graphical improvements are nice, but other things aren't as polished, and it's a shame that the gameplay hasn't been touched up and some outdated elements tweaked.