Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Review

The cult classic is back and looking better than ever, as Frank West takes on the zombie horde of Willamette Mall in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. While the label does say remaster, it’s quite misleading because there’s so much more packed into this release that puts a simple textbook remaster to shame.

I guess that’s where “Deluxe” comes along.

Bringing back all of the ridiculousness and even its rough edges, paired with old-school nostalgia that is elevated by modernized features and convenient upgrades, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is one for the books and another quality release in Capcom’s ever-growing portfolio.

1 vs 100… or More!

In Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, you are Frank West, a freelance journalist who uncovers a story in the seemingly tranquil town of Willamette, Colorado. He arrives at the local shopping mall, only to discover it has become overrun by a zombie horde. With just 72 hours before the evacuation helicopter returns, Frank sets out on a mission to uncover the truth behind this mysterious occurrence.

It’s kind of amazing to think that some of the most successful games this year are titles that hearken back to the simple and fun gameplay from the past mixed with modern flourishes – Black Myth: Wukong, Astro Bot, Space Marine 2, and more. Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster joins the growing list, and it is mainly due to how fun and creative the sandbox aspect of the game is.

The mall transforms into Frank’s playground, with a ton of items to interact with, spaces to explore, and even more zombies to put into their place. Whether you have fun in this zombie-infested sandbox or focus on the investigation is up to you, but keep the 72-hour time limit in mind, or be left behind! Adding time management to the mix is quite a weird mechanic, but it is something that actually holds the whole game together, increasing replayability.

While this is one of the most unique systems of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, it could also be the biggest source of friction for some players as they feel the pressure of the timer breathing down their necks. Rescuing survivors is an integral part of the game, and if you miss some because of the time limit, then it affects the results of your playthrough. It definitely adds a sense of urgency, but also a system that won’t be well received by everyone.

Despite that, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster relishes the feeling it gives players on the first run, where everything is new. Due to how the game is structured, fooling around is encouraged, as there are things that you can discover early or survivors you can save without having to do it later. With so much to see and do, moving about the mall is fun and a perfect distraction while waiting for the next case to unfold. Replay value is significant, offering a package that makes it impossible to see and do everything in one run.

With the RE Engine being as good as it is, the game looks visually impressive, especially with the fact that the zombies are extremely detailed and can appear in the tens and hundreds at any given time. Character models also feature more detail, such as wrinkles and textured clothing. However, Frank himself appears to have aged considerably, which is a definite sore spot for some who remember our journalist as the exact opposite.

Adding to the modernization efforts are the voiced characters, who are welcome to tell the story more effectively. The voice acting is generally well-performed, but not without its cheesy instances, and it’s finally nice to hear characters like Otis and the others speak for the first time. Frank remains witty and sarcastic, inserting his brand of humor every now and then that defuses the urgency of the situation.

Along with the improvements made to the UI, menus, and HUD elements, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is a great example of finding a balance between what to improve and how much can be changed without changing the overall feel and direction of the game.

Convenience Store

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster ticks the boxes of what a proper remaster should be, but Capcom didn’t stop there, adding several quality-of-life improvements that are immediately felt. A recurring theme with the updates that can be found in the game is that they do not totally overhaul systems but simply improve them in such a way that the game still feels and flows like the original

Chief of which is the ability to move while aiming and shooting, providing Frank with much-needed mobility when navigating through zombie hordes. It does not sound like much, but when compared to the original, this was an extremely sore spot that wouldn’t have felt right in this day and age. As such, overall combat is much improved, faster, and crunchier than before.

Other improvements fall under the lines of just simple things that bring the game in line with modern classics. Displaying the durability of an item may be an underrated improvement, and the addition of a functional and very helpful auto-save system meant that the archaic system of saving that could actually end your run in the wrong situation is far gone.

In fact, the developers have even added stairs to the infamous rooftop section where many civilians would simply get stuck, ensuring that they listened to valuable feedback and did their best to address these gripes. Consequently, civilian AI is much improved but still a bit inconsistent, being able to fend for themselves and not turning over at the first sign of trouble most of the time.

It’s a common occurrence to dismiss these changes because they don’t sound like they are huge upgrades, but Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has a whole damn list of these small items that add up, blurring the lines of a traditional remake and really earning that “Deluxe” tag on the title. While it doesn’t revolutionize or really change the way the game is played, it’s still a fun romp, all things considered.

Verdict: Buy it!

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is a fine example of Capcom’s understanding as to which aspects of a game to improve without tampering with what made it good in the first place. There are substantial improvements here, almost blurring the line of being marketed as just a remaster.

The adventures of Frank West are brought back to life with great visual quality, including fully-voiced characters and more expressive models. Many of these changes are things that fans of the original have called out, and seeing these addressed enforces the idea that Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster was truly brought back for the fans.

*Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.