Dead Rising

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 596 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 395 out of 596
  2. Mixed: 117 out of 596
  3. Negative: 84 out of 596
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  1. [Anonymous]
    Aug 29, 2006
    8
    The game is original. It's like a mix of Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead, and.....comedy i guess. It only suffers from a bad save system thats not as bad as everyone says. The story is quite interesting too. Any who gives this game under a 4 either played the game for 10 minutes, was expecting a game in which you run around with unlimited ammo and shoot the crap out of everything The game is original. It's like a mix of Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead, and.....comedy i guess. It only suffers from a bad save system thats not as bad as everyone says. The story is quite interesting too. Any who gives this game under a 4 either played the game for 10 minutes, was expecting a game in which you run around with unlimited ammo and shoot the crap out of everything that moves without having to worry about surviving or following the plot, or just felt like giving this game a bad review. I can understand the people who gave it fives though. This games not for everyone.… Expand
  2. RussellC.
    Oct 13, 2007
    8
    I saw this on my friends 360, sitting in his room waitng for the loading screen to pass for him to show me this so called amazing game of his (keep in mind that the xbox was beside my foot , standing upright) upon the level starting, I couldnt believe my eyes, the swarm of zombies, the motion blur, the lovely crisp sharpness...it blew me away! so much so that i kicked my friends xbox over I saw this on my friends 360, sitting in his room waitng for the loading screen to pass for him to show me this so called amazing game of his (keep in mind that the xbox was beside my foot , standing upright) upon the level starting, I couldnt believe my eyes, the swarm of zombies, the motion blur, the lovely crisp sharpness...it blew me away! so much so that i kicked my friends xbox over only for it to hit the floor so hard and give the disc the ring of death!! i was so embaressed, i didnt know what to say. Needless to say I went out and bought him another copy and me a 360 and a copy of the game too. I believe Dead rising is one of the 360's finest yet, it looks and plays amazingly. I could go on for hours about how much and what I love about this game, but I wont, instaed I will mention the only 2 annoyances in the game. that is the save system and the ever annoying phone ringing, from a guy called Otis who thiks that I need to rescue everyone in the mall from the ever hungry zombies. In order to take a call you have to stop what your doing ( that means no zombies mashing) and listen to what he has to say, and you cant skip. These are the sort of things that you only notice the second time around. The great far outweigh the bad. this game is awsome!!… Expand
  3. CiaranD.
    Jul 23, 2007
    8
    Great game with a dodgy saving mechanism. Original and very engrossing.
  4. AnonymousMC
    Jan 15, 2009
    8
    A fantastic, deep, and terribly cruel game. It is by no means a perfect game, several instances are very troublesome and the game will kill you. However, that is half the fun of the game. You'll often find yourself struggling for items and on that last bit of health as you try to stagger through zombies and cursing at Psychopaths. Fun, deep, any a must buy for anyone with an XBOX. IA fantastic, deep, and terribly cruel game. It is by no means a perfect game, several instances are very troublesome and the game will kill you. However, that is half the fun of the game. You'll often find yourself struggling for items and on that last bit of health as you try to stagger through zombies and cursing at Psychopaths. Fun, deep, any a must buy for anyone with an XBOX. I suggest getting a VGA cable if you don't have an HDTV.… Expand
  5. Catraven
    Aug 12, 2006
    8
    I totally agree with Ryencoke-fun game but the text is so small that I need to buy a magnifying glass! What's up with that? would've been so much better if given the option to enlarge text. Other than that, great fun!!!!
  6. CavanL.
    Aug 14, 2006
    8
    If you love zombies, senseless violence (well maybe not senseless you are ridding the world of zombies!) and the sight of fountains of blood this game is for you. Did you just have a crappy day of work and just want to see things fall in half after being diced with a chain saw...then this game is for you. It is an ode to zombie movies, if your expecting anything else than participating in If you love zombies, senseless violence (well maybe not senseless you are ridding the world of zombies!) and the sight of fountains of blood this game is for you. Did you just have a crappy day of work and just want to see things fall in half after being diced with a chain saw...then this game is for you. It is an ode to zombie movies, if your expecting anything else than participating in a zombie movie (simple plot kill and survive, and maybe help some folks) then go for it and enjoy the ride otherwise quit yer whinin'!… Expand
  7. NickT
    Dec 25, 2008
    8
    Really great sandbox zombie game. I'm not gonna lie, controls are a little iffy (mainly gun controls) and mission objectives arn't organized well, but overall, it's still worth buying. Besides, who dosen't want to beat the crap outta zombies with a plastic toy lightsaber, or run them over with a lawnmower or shopping cart?
  8. Rox22
    Feb 7, 2013
    8
    The game does have its flaws and is such a blatant rip off of Dawn of the Dead, but still a ton of fun to play. I would have scored it higher, but the annoying A.I. of the survivors you are trying to rescue, does get tiring after a while. But, that aspect is manageable if you're smart enough to think around it. One big criticism is the last" boss" in the game, he is just so annoying andThe game does have its flaws and is such a blatant rip off of Dawn of the Dead, but still a ton of fun to play. I would have scored it higher, but the annoying A.I. of the survivors you are trying to rescue, does get tiring after a while. But, that aspect is manageable if you're smart enough to think around it. One big criticism is the last" boss" in the game, he is just so annoying and requires a ridiculous level of precision to beat "fairly." Overall: This is the defining Zombie apocalypse game. I don't think there ever will be a game that defines the genre better. I loved this game when I first played it, and I still do to this day.… Expand
  9. WyattTheAwesome
    May 29, 2013
    8
    Dead Rising was the game that introduced me to my love of zombies and I will always forever uphold it as one of my favorite video games ever. The storyline is your average zombie apocalypse setting, but they do stuff a bit differently when it comes to zombies and what not. It's a little frustrating at first to enjoy the game, because you start off at a low level and you're very weak, butDead Rising was the game that introduced me to my love of zombies and I will always forever uphold it as one of my favorite video games ever. The storyline is your average zombie apocalypse setting, but they do stuff a bit differently when it comes to zombies and what not. It's a little frustrating at first to enjoy the game, because you start off at a low level and you're very weak, but once you level up your character and get more familiar with its stiff controls, it makes for a fun experience. Highly recommended.… Expand
  10. uk_gamer
    Apr 2, 2014
    8
    This game is a must have for zombie lovers. This game is probably the best zombie game I have ever played. The mall is like your sick fun house for you to run around have lots of gory fun. I have heared a lot of people shun this game for the timer it has. I think the timer is a good elememt and keeps the game at a fast but not too fast of a pace. The problem I have is the gun controls.This game is a must have for zombie lovers. This game is probably the best zombie game I have ever played. The mall is like your sick fun house for you to run around have lots of gory fun. I have heared a lot of people shun this game for the timer it has. I think the timer is a good elememt and keeps the game at a fast but not too fast of a pace. The problem I have is the gun controls. That is the only reason this isnt a 10. The gun controls have got me killed and have caused me tk rage many times. But apart from that great game to have if this is your thing… Expand
  11. rutulgandhi
    Jun 18, 2014
    8
    When it comes to killing zombies, no one knows it better than Capcom, the makers of Resident Evil. Unlike Resident Evil, Dead Rising is an action game, with zombies that are much easier to kill but travel in great numbers. So if you ever dreamt of slaughtering thousands of zombies in a mall using everything from plotted plants and frying pans to baseball bats and assault rifles, DeadWhen it comes to killing zombies, no one knows it better than Capcom, the makers of Resident Evil. Unlike Resident Evil, Dead Rising is an action game, with zombies that are much easier to kill but travel in great numbers. So if you ever dreamt of slaughtering thousands of zombies in a mall using everything from plotted plants and frying pans to baseball bats and assault rifles, Dead Rising is all that and a whole lot more. The game has thousands of brainless zombies to mutilate, hundreds of usable items, completely over-the-top gore and is by far one of the most imaginative horror games ever created on Capcom.

    You play as Frank West, a freelance photojournalist who has been to a lot of war zones around the world. However none of that has prepared him for what he sees in a small town of Willamette, Colorado. After being tipped off about the unfolding events, Frank charters a helicopter and flies into town to get images that could take his career sky-high. What he does find is a town overflowing with zombies desecrating everything around them. After being a witness to a scene in which a woman is thrown over the side of a building, Frank instructs the pilot to drop him off on the roof of a local shopping mall. It will take the game 72 game hours for him to figure out what is actually going on before his pilot returns to pick him up. So it's up to you to find the truth, save as many survivors as possible and get back to the chopper to catch your ride home.

    Make sure you gather Prestige Points (PP) when you start up, because Frank's run is as slow as a snail. Leveling up will not only give Frank more speed but also increase his attack damage, throwing distance and melee attack power, helping him to survive. Taking pictures can be a good hobby and you can also level up through Prestige Points by taking interests shots. After having taken a picture you'll be graded on the number of faces in it and the type of shot taken, be it brutal image of a human being torn apart, a dramatic shot like the reunion of the two survivors on the roof at the beginning of the game, or an erotic shot, such as pictures of some of the female character's assets. However, you tend to get so drawn into the zombie-killing parts of the game that you forget to take many pictures.

    Skills can also be gained by reading books that teach you everything from combat to driving a vehicle.

    Another way to earn experience is by accepting missions. Throughout the course of the game, Otis the janitor will call you every 30 seconds – at least that's what it felt like – to give you updates about what is happening in various areas of the mall. The updates Otis offers give Frank many advantages, such as being able to dodge large groups of his undead friends. By finding survivors and returning them to a secure room, Frank earns experience and levels up faster rather than exclusively sticking to the story missions.

    Once you have found and convinced your survivor(s) to follow you, you have a few additional commands at your disposal. You can have Frank command any followers to pick up speed, or you can command them to head to a specific place. You can also equip a few survivors with pistols, axes and just about anything that you can get you bloody hands on. The game includes a large array of murderous tools and Frank can use dozens of objects as weapons against the swarm of zombies. The sports shop will give you stuff like baseball bats and golf clubs, the hardware store offers sickles and chainsaws, and you'll find a variety of firearms at the gun shop. Every item has its own style of attack. While you can smash a zombie using a sledgehammer, you'll also find that a guitar not only has a space-clearing 360-degrees arc, but also hits multiple victims in its path.

    The most unique aspect of Dead Rising is the missions. Each part of the main story is broken down into cases that need to be solved. Since all the case files are connected, failing to complete them will hinder your progress and the trail might just go cold. Making your way through the game is a little tougher than it sounds; largely due to the fact that the game has a frustrating save system and time-based gameplay that will require players to replay large portions of the game repeatedly. You are only allowed to save one game at a time, as any save will overwrite the previous one.

    The overall sound effects in Dead Rising are truly disgusting in the best possible way. The sound of each weapon is created to perfection and some cut through the zombie with an amazing gushing sound. Every weapon makes a totally different sound and each one sounds exactly right…this is what I loved most about this game.

    Dead Rising is not meant for everyone, as it includes tons of violence and gore, but the endless number of possibilities in this game makes it a wonderful addition to almost every Xbox 360 owner's library.    … Expand
  12. killerbeed
    Jun 26, 2014
    8
    Fantastic game,one of the greatest zombie/sandbox games.The only thing I'n not really a fan of is the clock mechanic, as it becomes a pain to get some of the achievements.
  13. Ramon4567
    Aug 17, 2014
    8
    Difficult, eye-catching, freaky, and addictive, Dead Rising is a unique video game that offers players freedom. The storyline becomes more serious the further you go, increasing the much-needed tension for an effective survival horror. Of course, this game isn't perfect; there are instances where bosses can combo you, often resulting in an unfair death if you Life limit is low. OnlineDifficult, eye-catching, freaky, and addictive, Dead Rising is a unique video game that offers players freedom. The storyline becomes more serious the further you go, increasing the much-needed tension for an effective survival horror. Of course, this game isn't perfect; there are instances where bosses can combo you, often resulting in an unfair death if you Life limit is low. Online co-op is missing, but being so fond of its content, this is not an issue for the time. Overall, Dead Rising isn't for everyone, but for those who crave a tough, satisfying zombie game, pick this up. (I also wish for this game to be re-made to correct it's flaws.)… Expand
  14. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Jun 26, 2021
    8
    "Dead Rising" for the Xbox 360 plays like a spoof of "Dawn of the Dead". It's also a spiritual cousin to the company's "Resident Evil" series. This open-world game set in a shopping mall is terrific fun despite a few nagging issues. I would rate it with an 8.3 out of 10.
  15. criticozombie
    Jul 18, 2020
    8
    Es un juego muy divertido, l principio tiene una dificultad elevada pero cuando subes de nivel se vuelve mas facil, los psicopatas son muy buenos y tiene mucha rejugabilidad
  16. junkykunky
    Feb 20, 2021
    8
    This is one of my favourite Xbox 360 launch games and The game is a great game with Zombie killing fun The boss fights, the funny costumes, and survivors. The game is very buggy and may spook new players sometimes you'll even lag and get yourself murdered by zombies. The face offs you have with the "Psychopaths" are exciting and hard. My favourite psychopath is Larry the butcher on the 3rdThis is one of my favourite Xbox 360 launch games and The game is a great game with Zombie killing fun The boss fights, the funny costumes, and survivors. The game is very buggy and may spook new players sometimes you'll even lag and get yourself murdered by zombies. The face offs you have with the "Psychopaths" are exciting and hard. My favourite psychopath is Larry the butcher on the 3rd day. If you get too close to Larry he will put you on his hook and slash you with a machete if you spam the camera button you can actually glitch yourself out of his attack. The game is great and I suggest you try it.… Expand
  17. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    8
    Despite its flaws, i had a very good time beating this game when it was released.
  18. JohnF.
    Dec 10, 2008
    7
    As the XBox Addict review states, this could have been one of the greatest games of all time. Instead, it's an odd mix of a really cool idea and some really bad implementation. There's certainly enough to warrant giving the game a try as using anything you can get your hands on to kill zombies is worth the price alone. But the frustration factor brought on by the horrible save As the XBox Addict review states, this could have been one of the greatest games of all time. Instead, it's an odd mix of a really cool idea and some really bad implementation. There's certainly enough to warrant giving the game a try as using anything you can get your hands on to kill zombies is worth the price alone. But the frustration factor brought on by the horrible save system, the barely readable text, the moronic friendly A.I. of the people you are trying to rescue, and the lousy boss fights is almost too much to overcome. It's a testament to the strength of the game's premise and the fun of killing zombies that Dead Rising is (barely) able to overcome all that. This game should have been an all-timer... I guess there's always hope that Dead Rising 2 can clean up the problems and deliver what Dead Rising 1 was truly capable of.… Expand
  19. TimN.
    Aug 11, 2006
    7
    Great rental, but not much else. Because of the boring escort side-missions, poorly executed mission and save systems, and having to restart the game over and over again to either beat all of the Cases or level up...it's the simple things that make this game suffer, and keep it from having me rate it higher. C'mon, Capcom; get it right.
  20. DavidS.
    Aug 19, 2006
    7
    Great, original, open-ended game., with one glaring problem! I was reading people gripe about the save system. I thought they were probably over-reacting. They're not! I just had to start the game over because I saved too close to a deadline. There was no warning from the game! That's completely ridiculous! Having to check the ingame watch every minute is retarted. Could they at Great, original, open-ended game., with one glaring problem! I was reading people gripe about the save system. I thought they were probably over-reacting. They're not! I just had to start the game over because I saved too close to a deadline. There was no warning from the game! That's completely ridiculous! Having to check the ingame watch every minute is retarted. Could they at least of put the game time on the screen?! In the game booklet they explain how to save multiple times by using an external source. Jesus! Why couldn't they just give us a few more save slots!… Expand
  21. TomK.
    Jan 4, 2008
    7
    I'm a huge fan of zombie anything, and I was the first person to pick it up at Gamestop. At first i was blown away, I loved it, about a bajillion zombies and weapons that made me laugh and/or feel like a bamf. But then i started noticing things. The main thing was the aiming system, it's pretty terrible, and the fact that you can't move while firing makes it worse. Another I'm a huge fan of zombie anything, and I was the first person to pick it up at Gamestop. At first i was blown away, I loved it, about a bajillion zombies and weapons that made me laugh and/or feel like a bamf. But then i started noticing things. The main thing was the aiming system, it's pretty terrible, and the fact that you can't move while firing makes it worse. Another thing, those convicts in the jeep...why won't they die? The last thing, for the love of our vision, why couldn't they make the type bigger? I do enjoy this game, a lot, but i could never push myself to complete it. It's a shame.… Expand
  22. BobS.
    Sep 1, 2006
    7
    I'll try to keep this short and sweet. The good: Violent, lots of weapons, lots of clothing, lots of cool combat moves to learn and a level up system that I love...not to mention a cool picture-taking XP system. Awesome story, cool characters. The bad: Awkward saving system. Insanely stupid survivor AI. Ridiculous time limits that strongly discourage doing side-missions. In a I'll try to keep this short and sweet. The good: Violent, lots of weapons, lots of clothing, lots of cool combat moves to learn and a level up system that I love...not to mention a cool picture-taking XP system. Awesome story, cool characters. The bad: Awkward saving system. Insanely stupid survivor AI. Ridiculous time limits that strongly discourage doing side-missions. In a nutshell: This game is merciless. If you're the type of person who thrived on the high difficulty of games like Ninja Gaiden Black or Devil May Cry, buy this now. But if you're a more casual gamer, rent this one first. It's a doozy.… Expand
  23. Andyman
    Sep 7, 2006
    7
    What could have been an insanely addictive brawler is instead dragged down into mediocrity by a stupid storyline and incredibly dull photography side-quests. Capcom: smashing zombies is beyond fun all by itself. Keep it simple.
  24. AllistairP.
    Dec 30, 2006
    7
    I have a strong feeling that Capcom spent 3 long years making the game of the year with Dead Rising, then in the final 3 hours terrorist took over and tried to make it into the worst game of the year. Now 3 years compared to 3 hours, you'd figure the damage couldn't be that severe but oh it is! I can't believe the same team that made such a great idea into a great game, I have a strong feeling that Capcom spent 3 long years making the game of the year with Dead Rising, then in the final 3 hours terrorist took over and tried to make it into the worst game of the year. Now 3 years compared to 3 hours, you'd figure the damage couldn't be that severe but oh it is! I can't believe the same team that made such a great idea into a great game, would make so many horrible HORRIBLE HORRRRRRIIIIBLE decisions. Sometimes I see game of the year, but the flaws almost make it worst game of the year. Not because it's ever "that" bad, but because there is such a thick layer of awfulness keeping you from this sweet, sweet game. Someone hates us, and they're probably the same people that love our money. Please make Dead Rising 2. Please! (and just settle on making a wonderful or god-awful game, not inbetween)… Expand
  25. BruinsFan247
    Aug 14, 2006
    7
    First of all, definitely not for everyone. The game has lots of blood and gore, not for the kids. The controls are lacking in a various ways, for one the aiming when using a projectile weapon of any kind is simply horendous. Though I believe this game was made mor for the use of blund or hand weapons. The graphics are pretty good, though im still waiting for more games I would dub as First of all, definitely not for everyone. The game has lots of blood and gore, not for the kids. The controls are lacking in a various ways, for one the aiming when using a projectile weapon of any kind is simply horendous. Though I believe this game was made mor for the use of blund or hand weapons. The graphics are pretty good, though im still waiting for more games I would dub as nex-gen. At least there isnt alot of frame rate drops with so much going on at one time on the screen. The missions due tend to get a little repetative. For example: they really should have made more safe spots (not just the office). If you rescue someone on one side of the mall you have to get them to follow you all the way back to the office on the other side of the map, makes for a boring mission. Also, I though alot of these games were getting away from "save spots". In a game like this, it seems there is really no need to have a specific spot to save your game, you should be able to save anywhere. I also found some of the missions to be really difficult right off the bat, mostly due to controll issues. Sometimes a survivor will be following you and for no reason he just dissapears. Anyway its a decent game, a few hiccops, a few flaws, definately rent if you question it.… Expand
  26. HobK.
    Aug 14, 2006
    7
    The premise is fantastic and the gameplay shines. Too bad, then, that the experience is fundamentally crippled by the clunky save system and wee text-based dialogue. It's worth renting -- if you don't have access to the demo -- otherwise let's hope Capcom pays attention and fixes this game's issues for the sequel.
  27. ChrisG.
    Sep 12, 2006
    7
    When I made some comments on Resident Evil 4 a few months ago, I was really disappointed with the control system. Being anchored in one place when you draw your gun was something that I thought really handicapped the game. Same problem exists in Dead Rising, however at least the game puts more emphasis on melee weapons (who wants to shoot a zombie when you can bash it to pieces with a When I made some comments on Resident Evil 4 a few months ago, I was really disappointed with the control system. Being anchored in one place when you draw your gun was something that I thought really handicapped the game. Same problem exists in Dead Rising, however at least the game puts more emphasis on melee weapons (who wants to shoot a zombie when you can bash it to pieces with a lead pipe, up close and personal). So this time I can live with the whole gun thing. I'm sure everybody has read comments on the save system, and yeah, it does suck. One way around it is to use a memory card to create a second save slot, but not everyone wants to pay $50 just to do this for one game. That being said, there is still so much fun in playing the game, leveling up as you replay, getting a little further every time. Might not be worth purchasing, but certainly worth a week's rental.… Expand
  28. elzilcho
    Nov 18, 2007
    7
    A game that could either be great or awful seems to trick us. It's pretty good. Killing zombies can get a little old at first, but once you have some cool skills, it just gets funny. The only major complaint is having to play 72 Hour mode over and over and over to see all the game has to offer. Really, all I wanted to do was see a certain psychopath, unfortuanately they didn't A game that could either be great or awful seems to trick us. It's pretty good. Killing zombies can get a little old at first, but once you have some cool skills, it just gets funny. The only major complaint is having to play 72 Hour mode over and over and over to see all the game has to offer. Really, all I wanted to do was see a certain psychopath, unfortuanately they didn't appear until late into the second day. Wow, I'm not up to wasting that much time. Overall fun, but it gets old.… Expand
  29. NateC.
    Feb 24, 2007
    7
    I like zombie related things. I was psyched about this game. Kind of a let-down. The graphics are good and the gameplay and concept are pretty sweet. I got two problems. It gets repetitive and the whole thing is timed.
  30. LeoR.
    May 18, 2007
    7
    I really feel like this game was wasted potential. Sure, the zombie killing aspect is a riot but the enjoyment of the game is hampered by an unbearable save system, time restraints and infuriating protection quests.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
4
#4 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
15
#15 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 82 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 82
  3. Negative: 0 out of 82
  1. 1UP
    80
    A relentlessly inventive game worth the price of entry...The experience is flawed -- some might say hampered -- by the save system and curiously designed game structure. But whether you 'get it' or not, Dead Rising nevertheless provides a wealth of secrets and mysteries for both eager gamers and the adventuresome.
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  2. GameBrink
    84
    A unique, inventive, and fun game that youll most likely want to play and own due to its huge amount of replayability from random slash-a-thons to side quests and item discovery; you can spend a whole lot of time in this game. Then again if the save system and RPG leveling system turn you off you might be better off renting it first.
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  3. TeamXbox
    87
    The astounding level of variety that is packed into the game is wonderful to see.
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