Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package

Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package is a comprehensive compilation that bundles the original Dead Rising 4 game with all its downloadable content, offering players an extensive zombie-slaying adventure set in a snowy winter wonderland overrun by the undead. Players step into the boots of legendary photojournalist Frank West as he explores a new open world, battles hordes of zombies with creative weapons, and engages in over-the-top gameplay with the inclusion of two new modes and additional story content.

Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package: Review

Introduction

Few franchises embody the chaotic joy of video game chaos quite like Dead Rising. Capcom’s zombie-slaying series, with its signature blend of dark satire, weapon-crafting absurdity, and time-pressure survival, carved a unique niche since 2006. Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package, released in 2017, stands as a definitive edition of the fourth main installment—a sprawling, content-rich bundle that bundles the base game with all DLC, including the standout Capcom Heroes mode. Yet, this “Big Package” arrives with a paradox: it’s the most accessible Dead Rising ever, yet a divisive departure that diluted the series’ soul. This review deconstructs its ambitious scope, mechanical refinements, and identity crisis, arguing that while Frank’s Big Package delivers an unparalleled zombie sandbox, it sacrifices the claustrophobic tension and narrative depth that made earlier entries iconic. In a franchise defined by excess, this entry’s greatest sin is its lack of focus.

Development History & Context

Dead Rising 4 emerged from a tumultuous development cycle at Capcom Vancouver, the studio helming the series since Dead Rising 3. Originally codenamed “Climber,” the project was envisioned as a gritty reboot inspired by The Last of Us, stripping away series staples like Frank West and time limits to appeal to a mature, narrative-driven audience. This 2014 prototype was scrapped by Capcom Japan, leading to a frantic 18-month reboot under Microsoft’s publishing partnership. The shift to Xbox One/Windows 10 exclusivity (later ported to PS4) forced a pivot toward open-world design, leveraging the hardware to render thousands of zombies on-screen. This transition, however, came at a cost: the series’ signature timer was removed, and Frank West was recast with a new voice actor (Ty Olsson), sparking fan backlash over his “de-aged” quippy persona. The holiday setting—a snow-covered Willamette infested by zombies during Black Friday—was a late addition, chosen to juxtapose festive consumerism with apocalyptic chaos. Yet, the game’s technical ambition exceeded its stability; launch-era performance hiccups and a bloated map (reminiscent of Dead Rising 3) plagued its 2016 release, setting the stage for Frank’s Big Package as a content-driven corrective.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Set 16 years after the original Dead Rising, 4 finds Frank West as a jaded photography professor dragged back into mayhem by his student, Vick Chu. The plot—a government conspiracy involving intelligent “Evolvers” and the shadowy Obscuris organization—serves as a thin scaffold for holiday-themed carnage. Frank’s characterization, however, is the narrative’s core battleground. The new voice actor and script transform him from a relatable anti-hero into a crass caricature, quipping through life-or-death scenarios (“I don’t care about lives, I save them by accident”). This shift alienated fans, as the writing prioritizes juvenile humor over the series’ signature dark satire. Thematically, the game attempts a critique of consumerism via its Black Friday outbreak, but the message is buried under repetitive zombie slaying. Supporting characters like Vick and agent Brad Park lack depth, reducing their roles to exposition devices. Even the maniacs (renamed from “psychopaths”) feel generic, their absurd costumes devoid of the personality-driven narratives that made earlier villains memorable. Ultimately, the narrative’s greatest strength is its nostalgia bait—returning to Willamette—and its greatest weakness is a failure to evolve beyond it.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Dead Rising 4’s gameplay represents a seismic shift from its predecessors, prioritizing accessibility over tension. The most controversial change is the removal of the infamous timer, which previously imposed life-or-death deadlines. In its place, a more relaxed open-world structure encourages experimentation but erodes the series’ signature urgency. Combat remains a joyous mess: players wield any object as a weapon, from candy canes to lawnmowers, with a streamlined inventory system assigning items to D-pad directions (melee, firearms, etc.). Weapon crafting is simplified via radial menus, though the variety of combo weapons feels reduced. Exo Suits—power armor granting superhuman strength—add spectacle but are underused due to limited battery life. The photography mechanic returns, now scooping clues and selfies for Prestige Points (PP), though its investigative role is poorly integrated. Safe houses, once hubs for survivor management, now function as glorified rest points. Character progression through PP unlocks skills (health, inventory slots, etc.), but the generous leveling curve trivializes challenge. The Capcom Heroes mode in Frank’s Big Package revitalizes the game, letting players embody icons like Ryu (Street Fighter) or Dante (Devil May Cry), each with unique abilities. This mode excels by weaponizing absurdity—playing as Mega Man X turns combat into a chaotic brawler—though it sidesteps the main campaign’s core flaws. Ultimately, these changes create a more accessible Dead Rising, but one that trades strategic depth for unstructured mayhem.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Willamette’s rebirth is a triumph of environmental storytelling. The rebuilt town, draped in Christmas lights and snow, transforms the iconic mall into a sprawling memorial megaplex. Art direction embraces holiday absurdity—zombie elves in toy workshops, snow-laden suburbs, and festive decorations doubling as weapons. Yet, the open world’s scale undermines its impact; districts lack distinct identities, and traversal is hampered by zombie-infested streets. Sound design, however, elevates the chaos: the cacophony of moans, explosions, and jarring Christmas carols creates a dissonant symphony of horror and cheer. The soundtrack, featuring the nominated track “Oh Willamette,” blends nostalgic Dead Rising melodies with orchestral bombast. Zombie variety—freshly infected Evolvers with basic tactics—adds tension, though human enemies (Obscuris soldiers) feel tedious. The Exo Suits’ mechanical whirring and impacts provide visceral satisfaction, while the camera’s night-vision mode adds a tactical layer. Despite technical hiccups (frame drops, collision issues), the world’s density is impressive—hordes swell to thousands, and physics interactions yield emergent chaos. Yet, without the timer’s pressure, Willamette feels less like a trap and more like a playground, diminishing the series’ sense of dread.

Reception & Legacy

Dead Rising 4 launched to mixed reviews (Metacritic: 72 for PS4), with praise for its combat and content but criticism for its identity crisis. Critics lauded Frank’s Big Package’s comprehensiveness, noting that the Capcom Heroes mode alone justified the purchase. Video Chums called it “a definite must-buy,” while Hardcore Gamer praised the “indulgence of Capcom’s eccentric history.” However, the consensus underscored a franchise in decline: IGN Spain lamented “bugs and mistakes that remain untouched,” and Trusted Reviews deemed it “the worst entry in the series.” Sales underwhelmed (1.7 million lifetime), falling short of Capcom’s 2-million target, and the closure of Capcom Vancouver in 2018—amid Dead Rising 5’s cancellation—cemented 4 as a low point. Yet, its legacy is complex. The game’s emphasis on sandbox fun influenced later zombie titles, while Capcom Heroes became a cult favorite for its crossover absurdity. The 2024 Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster (of the original) implicitly acknowledged 4’s missteps, reverting to the series’ roots. In hindsight, Frank’s Big Package is a footnote—a bloated experiment that prioritized breadth over depth, leaving the series adrift until its 2024 revival.

Conclusion

Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package is a paradox: a definitive package that bundles the best and worst of the franchise. It refines combat, expands the world with holiday cheer, and delivers Capcom Heroes—a mode that channels the series’ anarchic spirit. Yet, it’s haunted by lost identity: the removed timer strips away tension, Frank’s reinvention alienates purists, and the narrative lacks bite. As a bundle, it’s a must-own for Dead Rising completists, offering unparalleled zombie-slaying variety. As a Dead Rising game, it’s a cautionary tale of evolution without direction. The series’ future now lies with Capcom Japan, but Frank’s Big Package remains a fascinating artifact—a chaotic, content-rich attempt to reconcile accessibility with absurdity, ultimately proving that more isn’t always better. For fans, it’s a flawed holiday gift; for the franchise, it’s a lesson in balancing legacy with innovation.