Emerging from the depths of gaming history for yet another revival, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster proves that much like the undead it features, some games just refuse to stay buried. This latest iteration brings a slew of welcome improvements that make navigating a zombie-infested shopping mall far less frustrating than it was nearly two decades ago, all while retaining the tense, time-sensitive structure that made the original so compelling. With a fresh visual overhaul and refined gameplay mechanics, this is easily the definitive way to experience what remains the best entry in the Dead Rising series—though its aging combat system occasionally struggles to keep up with modern expectations.
https://youtu.be/FIAiUWhxmrs?si=xSiVOP2PXM4BvOM6
Fine-Tuning a Cult Classic
Remasters and remakes can be tricky to evaluate. Some, like The Last of Us Part 1, are polished and impressive yet ultimately unnecessary, while others, such as Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered, add little beyond a resolution bump. In contrast, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster justifies its existence by not only improving its visuals but also refining its mechanics in ways that meaningfully enhance the experience.
That said, this isn’t a complete overhaul in the style of Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 4, despite running on the same RE Engine that powers those modern classics. At its core, this is still very much the Dead Rising from 2006, but with a significant facelift.
Kill ’Em Mall
The visual improvements are immediately apparent. Character models, lighting, and environmental details have all been given a dramatic upgrade, making the game feel more alive—even as its world is overrun with the undead. Facial animations, in particular, have seen a major boost, adding new layers of expression that were virtually nonexistent in the original.
One of the most noticeable changes is the updated look of protagonist Frank West. He now sports a bulkier frame and a slightly older appearance, shifting from rugged action hero to something more akin to a slightly out-of-shape war photographer. Whether this is an improvement is up for debate, but what remains unchanged is his massive, broad-shouldered silhouette that still dominates every scene he’s in.
However, the true star remains Willamette Parkview Mall itself. Each store is packed with details, from fashion boutiques to toy shops, and nearly everything can be turned into a makeshift weapon. Wandering through the mall evokes a deep nostalgia—not just for the game itself, but for an era when CD and DVD shops were still a fixture of retail life.
That said, some technical shortcomings persist. Pop-in issues are particularly noticeable in the Leisure Park area, and certain textures take longer than they should to fully render. A few signs of AI-assisted upscaling also crop up, revealing artifacts that feel a bit out of place in an otherwise well-crafted remaster. While these aren’t game-breaking, they do stand out against the otherwise impressive visual overhaul.
Refining the Chaos
While Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster offers an optional classic control scheme, the new modernized setup is a game-changer. The ability to move while aiming is particularly impactful, making combat smoother and significantly reducing the frustration of dealing with the game’s often erratic boss fights.
Other refinements include shifting special moves to button presses rather than relying on awkward right-stick inputs. Interacting with survivors has also been streamlined—radio calls and commands can now be issued via stick presses, allowing players to give orders while on the move rather than stopping mid-sprint to answer an incoming call. These small but crucial changes make escorting survivors far more manageable, and the AI has also been noticeably improved. While they’re not perfect (large groups still tend to behave unpredictably), the days of survivors running headfirst into zombies with reckless abandon are mostly behind us.
Weapon durability is now visually indicated, eliminating the need for constant guesswork, and navigation has seen major improvements. The vague arrow from the original has been replaced with a compass and distance markers, making it much easier to track objectives and determine whether they’re on different floors. This, combined with the new auto-save feature, allows for a smoother and less punishing experience.
The frequent loading screens between mall sections remain a minor annoyance, but the inclusion of auto-saves at these points makes backtracking far less frustrating. While Dead Rising was originally designed around a sense of urgency and tough decision-making, the new save system finds a middle ground that keeps the challenge intact while reducing unnecessary repetition. Players who prefer the old-school difficulty can still make use of manual saves and multiple save slots, but for those looking for a more accessible experience, this update is a huge quality-of-life boost.
Not Every Change Hits the Mark
While many adjustments enhance the experience, not all of them land successfully. Some of the newly recorded voice acting is inconsistent, with certain performances feeling more robotic than before. The additional voiceovers for survivor and radio dialogue are a welcome inclusion, but at times, they don’t quite match up with the tone of the original.
Some script changes also raise eyebrows—most notably, the removal of Cliff’s backstory as a Vietnam War veteran. Originally, Cliff was a PTSD-stricken soldier whose trauma was reignited by the outbreak, causing him to spiral into madness. In this version, his military background is still evident, but the specific references to Vietnam have been scrubbed, including his infamous line about communists. While it’s unclear whether this was done out of sensitivity or for another reason, the change feels unnecessary, especially when other, more questionable content remains untouched.
Meanwhile, some long-standing gameplay frustrations have gone unaddressed. The convicts in the Leisure Park still inexplicably respawn after a few in-game hours, making them a constant nuisance. The infamous elevator leading to the rooftop remains perpetually packed with zombies, turning what should be a brief transition into an unavoidable hassle. These quirks were frustrating in 2006, and they still are today.
Of course, part of Dead Rising’s charm has always been its janky, sometimes bizarre mechanics. This is a game where you can empty an entire magazine into a boss without slowing them down, only for a single cutscene-triggered bullet to instantly incapacitate them. Some of these odd design choices have aged better than others, but they all contribute to the unique flavor of Dead Rising.
Verdict
At its core, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster remains a faithful preservation of the original, enhanced with thoughtful modern improvements. The new controls, auto-save functionality, and smarter AI make for a far smoother experience, while the upgraded visuals breathe new life into Willamette’s zombie-filled corridors. Some of the voice acting changes fall flat, and a few of the game’s more frustrating mechanics remain untouched, but these are minor blemishes on an otherwise excellent remaster.
Returning to Willamette Parkview Mall after all these years serves as a reminder of just how special the original Dead Rising was. Whether you’re herding survivors through a sea of the undead or bashing zombies over the head with whatever object you can get your hands on, the game’s unique mix of tension and absurdity remains as entertaining as ever. Even after nearly two decades, it still manages to sink its teeth in—and much like its shambling hordes, it’s hard to put down once it gets a grip on you.
