A game that proves that all you need is a good idea.
Dead Rising is one of those games that is just so unique (for a video game at least) that no matter how crappy the game is you can still find some reason to play it. Luckily Capcom has not made one of those games. It has made a good game all around.
The game consists of many missions associated with rescuing survivors and killing psychopaths. All while trying to avoid an endless supply of zombies throughout the mall. Many of these missions are optional and in your first playthrough you will learn this very fast. The game has its own time limit for completing things, so completing every mission is real challenge. The majority of people will not do this for at least 3 playthroughs. Luckily you can save your stats all through the game. However, what makes all of this more difficult is that there is only one save slot. So if you screw up and accidentally save then it's all over. One of the most impressive parts about the game is the large amount of objects lying around the mall that you can use as weapons. Pretty much everything you can think of is sitting somewhere. Your character also has his own set of moves to combat his enemies. Many of which are just plain awesome (Level 50 skill is very interesting...). It's just too bad that the controls for these moves are so similar that it becomes difficult to pull off the correct stuff. Another annoying problem is that the people you rescue are pretty stupid. They run into things and get themselves into trouble all the time. That coupled with the unforgiving save system causes a lot of pain.
What really impressed me about Dead Rising were its visuals. Though the graphics are very nice that is not what I mean. It's the design of everything that is most impressive. It's hard to think that this is a Japanese game. Everything in the mall is just so North American. Every item and location has a very familiar look to it. It's amazing how few games out there are actually this detailed and take place in a modern everyday location. It would be nice to see more games like this.
Even more impressive is the soundtrack. While the music is a little out of place (yet still catchy) the sound effects are perfect. From the footsteps to a blender to the sound of a zombie getting his head ripped off. Everything is so clear and often brutal. It's always nice to see a game pay so much attention to sound design.
Overall Dead Rising is a great game for someone looking for something completely new. With the way the game systems are set up it makes for a game that is not too short and not too long. It has a few problems, but overall the more you play the more you can overcome them.
PROS
+ Gameplay made for multiple playthroughs
+ So many weapons!
+ Viscious sound effects
+ Great sense of humor
+ Zombies In A Mall!!!
CONS
- One save slot?
- Story sort of dies at the end
- Stupid A.I
- Controls for skills are complicated
- It's pretty much the same thing over and over
