For a game that's running on an entirely different engine, it's almost shocking how much Dead Rising 2 feels like the first game. The way Chuck Greene moves and the timing of your attacks feels right on, and people that played the first game to death will be able to jump right in and get down to business. Of course, that's not to say that DR2 is the same game.
For its annual "Captivate" event, Capcom showed off the game's cooperative play, which allows two players to jump in and play through the story mode together. Dead Rising 2 doesn't weave this co-op mode into the storyline at all, which is a little disappointing, but the action certainly changes. Using one player to lure the zombies together (say, with a toy helicopter that makes annoying siren noises that zombies can't ignore) while the other burns them down with a makeshift flamethrower is extremely satisfying.
In the co-op, both players will play as Chuck Greene, though the game's wardrobe variety will at least give you plenty of opportunities to stand out from other players online. Cutscenes, as well, will only show one Chuck--in this case, the player that triggered the stoppage will see his or her character. Additionally, only the hosting player sees any real progress in their story. Joining players certainly don't leave empty-handed, though. Any PP (that's prestige points, in case you forgot) and money earned during the session will stick with the joining player. Since you'll collect PP to gain levels and new abilities, this sounds like a totally viable way to beef up your Chuck.
"Beef up your Chuck" sounds kind of gross, but I can't quite figure out why. Anyway, moving on.
- Combining a flashlight with a computer case gives you a taser-like device that also hacks ATMs, forcing them to spit out tons of cash.
- Combining a flashlight with gems gives you a... uh... laser sword. Beam katana? Light... saber? Something like that.
- A beer bottle and a construction hat gives you a sweet beer helmet, which you can use to restore your health. But if you drink too much, you'll start throwing up at random. Zombies slip on your puke. Of course.
- A Servbot helmet and the blades from a toy helicopter give you head-mounted blades that chew zombies up.
- A machine gun and a toy bear creates a sentry that targets zombies... as long as the bear is facing them.
- Strapping a fire extinguisher to a squirt gun fires balls that freeze zombies, setting them up for a quick shatter.
From talking to the guys developing the game out at Blue Castle Games, the list of crazy weapons sounds like it goes on and on. The game will apply the same sort of time pressure found in the previous game, and you'll have an opportunity to lead multiple survivors around. Can you juggle eight survivors at once? You'll have to if you want all of the achievements. While you're at it, plan to kill over 101,000 zombies in one run. Brutal. There aren't many story details out there yet, but Chuck will be protecting his young daughter, and I was also able to fight off a couple of sword-wielding women who clearly blame Chuck for this new outbreak.
Dead Rising 2 is scheduled to ship to stores on August 31.
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