Rating: NN
When will the popularity of zombie-bashing begin to fade? The slow-walking undead have invaded everything from the iPhone to the Xbox. Dead Rising 2 tries to top the pack with a more in-depth storyline and slightly more sophisticated gameplay. The basic premise remains the same as the original’s. You play the role of Chuck Greene, hacking and slashing your way through the zombie hordes to save the day.
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It’s hard for this game to even get off the ground, it’s so hindered by archaic game mechanics that are simply un-accept-able given the amazing leaps top-tier games have made in the past few years. The controls are clunky rather than fluid, making it feel like your character is a bit drunk most of the time. There’s a ridi-culous number of pre-rendered cut scenes, some for the most mundane and unimportant actions, that interrupt the flow and add lots of spirit-crushing load time. As if this weren’t enough, there’s no such thing as an auto-save or even the ability to restart mid-mission. Dying is a painful experience when you haven’t saved your game recently. Hunting down save points has no right being part of the gameplay even when disguised as your character’s need to go to the bathroom.
There are some good bits, though. The actual act of destroying the infected is incredibly enjoyable. There are endless numbers of items you can use to cut your foes into tiny pieces. Possibly the greatest advancement in Dead Rising 2 is the addition of a crafting ability. Chuck can combine various objects in the environment to make more powerful – and immensely enjoyable – weapons. Duct tape chainsaws to kayak paddles or squirt some motor oil on things to make them flammable – there are plenty of combos to be explored.
Multi-player has made its way into Dead Rising 2 as well. Co-op mode puts you in amongst the hordes with a friend to help you through the campaign. Or take a stab at a handful of mini-games that make up the Terror Is Reality game show. These are mostly forgettable but do provide you with cash to spend back in campaign mode.
What’s frustrating with Dead Rising 2 is that the content has so much potential, but it’s undermined by old-school game design. Hardcore zombie fans will no doubt love it, while the more casual gamer will have to look elsewhere.
