The **Dead Rising** series, first launched in 2006 by Capcom, initially debuted as an Xbox exclusive to showcase the console’s power. The game introduced a fresh concept: battling hundreds of zombies in a confined shopping mall. This chaotic setting created a sense of urgency and tension, as players found themselves trapped and forced to improvise with whatever they could find.

While Capcom’s **Resident Evil** focused on survival horror, **Dead Rising** opted for action-packed gameplay with open-world freedom. Players faced massive hordes of zombies, providing a very different experience from its sibling series.

After the failure of **Dead Rising 4** and years of inactivity, fans are left wondering: Does the enhanced version of **Dead Rising** justify its purchase? Or is it just another re-release that fails to offer anything new, especially considering this is the game’s third version? Let’s find out.

Story

The story follows **Frank West**, a fearless photojournalist. Frank hears about strange events in the small town of Willamette, Colorado, which the military has quarantined. Driven by curiosity, he sneaks into the town illegally to uncover a potential scoop and heads to the massive shopping mall.

However, Frank soon discovers the mall is infested with zombies, turning it into a nightmare. Trapped with a handful of survivors, he begins investigating the cause of the outbreak. Alongside uncovering the truth, Frank must save as many people as possible within 72 hours before the military intervenes.

**Dead Rising** combines an exciting story with comedic and satirical elements, making it stand out from typical zombie games and movies.

Gameplay

The gameplay stays true to what fans loved about the original, with some tweaks and improvements. The core idea is that you can use anything around you as a weapon to survive. Whether it’s a gun, baseball bat, frying pan, or quirky items like dolls, plastic swords, or jewelry, everything is fair game. This variety adds fun and encourages creativity, especially since you’re in a shopping mall full of stores to explore and plunder for tools.

In the original version, weapons broke quickly, making survival harder. The enhanced version introduces a durability bar, letting you know when your weapon is about to break so you can replace it in time.

One of the biggest improvements in this version is the save system. Previously, you could only save at specific locations, which created tension and frustration if you died unexpectedly. Now, the game includes an auto-save feature, making the experience smoother and less stressful.

Gunplay and aiming mechanics have also been improved. In the original, you had to stand still to shoot, leaving you vulnerable to zombie attacks. Now, you can move while firing, making combat faster and more fluid.

The AI for zombies and survivors has seen slight improvements but still has issues. Survivors you try to rescue often behave irrationally, and combat can sometimes feel sluggish or unresponsive.

Exploration remains challenging. The small map requires you to figure out paths on your own while navigating through zombie-infested areas, adding to the difficulty.

Graphics

The graphical improvements in **Dead Rising** are immediately noticeable. Characters and environments are more detailed compared to the original. While the visuals don’t match modern AAA games, the enhancements make it feel like a new experience. From the mall’s design to the lighting and zombie models, the game strikes a balance between retaining its classic charm and offering a fresh look.

Final Rating

8/10

The enhanced version of **Dead Rising** delivers an enjoyable experience for fans of the series, with noticeable improvements in graphics, gameplay, and controls. It successfully retains the spirit of the original, particularly the creativity in using unconventional weapons to fight zombies. However, the changes may not be enough to attract new players or those who’ve already experienced the previous versions.

If you’re a fan of the series, this version is worth trying, especially with its graphical enhancements and auto-save feature. For new players or casual gamers, it might be worth waiting for a sale to get the game at a price that reflects its actual value.