Dead Rising

In ‘Dead Rising,’ players assume the role of Frank West, a photojournalist trapped in a zombie-infested shopping mall in Willamette during a 72-hour outbreak. The game’s real-time structure—where one hour of play equals 12 in-game hours—forces players to balance rescuing survivors, battling psychopaths, and uncovering the mystery behind the apocalypse while using improvised weapons from the mall’s stores. Experience is earned through photography, combat, and rescues, unlocking new abilities and gear. Completing the main story unlocks ‘Overtime’ and ‘Infinite’ modes, offering additional challenges and endless survival scenarios.

Dead Rising: Review

Dead Rising, released in 2006, stands as a seminal title in the survival horror genre, blending the thrill of zombie slaying with a unique sandbox-style gameplay. Developed by Capcom, the game follows Frank West, a photojournalist trapped in a mall overrun by zombies, as he uncovers the truth behind the outbreak. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, critical reception, and enduring legacy.

Development History & Context

Capcom’s Dead Rising was conceived as a departure from their previous projects, aiming to capture the Western market with a fresh take on the zombie genre. The game’s origins trace back to the development of Shadow of Rome, which, despite critical acclaim, failed to achieve commercial success. Keiji Inafune, the producer, decided to pivot and create something entirely new, leading to the birth of Dead Rising.

The development team drew inspiration from classic zombie films, particularly those by George A. Romero, but Capcom asserted that the concept of “humans battling zombies in a shopping mall” was a wholly unprotectible idea under copyright laws. This allowed them to create a game that paid homage to the genre while carving out its own identity. The mall setting was designed to be a stereotypical American shopping center, filled with a myriad of stores and items that players could interact with.

One of the game’s standout features was its ability to render a large number of zombies on screen simultaneously, creating a sense of a major outbreak. This technical achievement was a testament to the team’s prowess and their desire to push the boundaries of what was possible on the Xbox 360. The game’s mechanics were influenced by Capcom’s role-playing game Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, incorporating an experience system that allowed players to carry over their progress into new playthroughs, adding a layer of strategy and consequence to the gameplay.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot

The story of Dead Rising revolves around Frank West, a photojournalist who infiltrates the town of Willamette, Colorado, to investigate a mysterious quarantine. Upon arriving at the town’s mall, he discovers that it is infested with zombies. Frank’s mission is to survive for 72 hours until a rescue helicopter arrives, all while uncovering the truth behind the outbreak.

The narrative is structured around “case files,” which are major missions that advance the main story. These case files are unlocked either by completing specific tasks or by being in the right place at the right time to observe a cutscene. The game also features a variety of side missions and optional tasks, adding depth to the storytelling and encouraging multiple playthroughs.

Characters

Frank West is the protagonist, a charismatic and resourceful photojournalist who uses his camera to document the horrors he encounters. His interactions with other survivors and psychopaths add layers to the story, revealing the desperation and madness that can arise in such extreme situations.

Supporting characters include Brad Garrison, a DHS agent; Isabela Keyes, Carlito’s sister; and Russell Barnaby, a scientist involved in the outbreak. Each character brings a unique perspective to the story, enriching the narrative and providing different insights into the events unfolding in Willamette.

Dialogue & Themes

The dialogue in Dead Rising is a mix of humor, horror, and drama, reflecting the game’s tone. The conversations between characters are often laced with dark humor, providing moments of levity amidst the chaos. The themes explored in the game include survival, the human condition, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The story delves into the ethical implications of scientific experimentation and the lengths to which people will go to achieve their goals.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Dead Rising features a sandbox-style gameplay, allowing players to explore the mall freely and engage in various activities. The core gameplay loop involves scavenging for weapons, rescuing survivors, and completing missions. The game’s open-ended nature encourages experimentation, with players able to spend their time in the mall in countless ways.

Combat

Combat in Dead Rising is visceral and satisfying, with a wide array of weapons at the player’s disposal. From everyday objects like baseball bats and frying pans to more exotic items like chainsaws and katanas, the game encourages creativity in how players approach combat. The combat system is designed to be intuitive, with a variety of moves and combos that can be unlocked as the player levels up.

Character Progression

The game features an experience system where players earn Prestige Points (PP) by completing various actions, such as taking pictures, rescuing survivors, and killing zombies. These points can be used to level up, unlocking new abilities, increasing health, and improving other attributes. The progression system adds a layer of strategy, as players must decide how to allocate their points to best suit their playstyle.

UI

The user interface in Dead Rising is clean and functional, providing essential information without cluttering the screen. The HUD displays Frank’s health, prestige level, inventory, and objective counters. The map and watch functions help players navigate the mall and keep track of time, which is crucial given the game’s time-sensitive missions.

Innovative & Flawed Systems

One of the game’s innovative systems is the photography mechanic, which allows players to take pictures of various situations to earn Prestige Points. This mechanic adds a unique layer to the gameplay, encouraging players to explore and document the horrors they encounter.

However, the game’s save system is often criticized for its limitations. Players are only allowed one save slot per memory device and player profile, which can be frustrating if they want to start a new game while keeping their progress. This system was intentionally designed to add consequences to the player’s actions, but it can be seen as a flaw by some.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting

The setting of Dead Rising is the Willamette Parkview Mall, a sprawling shopping center modeled after stereotypical American malls. The mall is divided into six main sections, each with a variety of shops and attractions. The environment is detailed and immersive, with a sense of scale that makes the player feel small in comparison to the vastness of the mall.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in Dead Rising is a blend of horror and humor, with a dark undertone that pervades the game. The mall is filled with eerie sounds, such as the moans of zombies and the distant echoes of gunshots. The lighting changes throughout the day, affecting the behavior of the zombies and adding to the game’s tension.

Visual Direction

The visual direction of Dead Rising is striking, with a focus on detail and realism. The mall is filled with a variety of items that players can interact with, from clothing and weapons to food and drink. The character designs are also noteworthy, with a range of expressions and animations that bring the characters to life.

Sound Design

The sound design in Dead Rising is exceptional, with a mix of ambient sounds, music, and voice acting that immerses the player in the game’s world. The soundtrack features a blend of genres, from rock to electronic, adding to the game’s eclectic atmosphere. The voice acting is top-notch, with each character bringing their unique personality to the game.

Reception & Legacy

Critical & Commercial Reception

Dead Rising was a critical and commercial success, receiving generally favorable reviews from critics. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, immersive world, and dark humor. It was also a commercial success, selling over a million copies worldwide by the end of 2006.

The game’s reception was not without criticism, however. The save system and AI of the survivors were often cited as flaws, with some reviewers calling for improvements in these areas. Despite these criticisms, the game’s impact on the genre was undeniable, paving the way for future zombie games and influencing the industry as a whole.

Influence on Subsequent Games & Industry

Dead Rising’s influence can be seen in numerous games that followed, from its sequels to other zombie titles that adopted its sandbox-style gameplay. The game’s emphasis on player freedom and creativity has become a hallmark of the genre, with many developers citing Dead Rising as an inspiration.

The game’s legacy extends beyond its direct influence, however. Dead Rising’s success demonstrated the potential of the zombie genre, showing that it could be more than just mindless violence. The game’s dark humor and social commentary added depth to the genre, making it a more viable option for developers and publishers.

Conclusion

Dead Rising is a groundbreaking title that redefined the zombie genre. Its innovative gameplay, immersive world, and dark humor set it apart from other games of its time. Despite its flaws, the game’s impact on the industry is undeniable, paving the way for future zombie titles and influencing the genre as a whole. Dead Rising is a must-play for fans of the genre and a testament to the power of creative gameplay. Its place in video game history is secure, and its legacy continues to inspire developers today.