Introduction
It has been eight years since the release of the original Dead Rising and in that time the world of survival horror has changed a great deal. In some ways, Dead Rising 2 is a victim of that change. It’s a more action-packed, less scary game than its predecessor, and it’s definitely more concerned with giving you things to do than making you afraid. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Dead Rising 2 is a lot of fun, and if you’re not looking for scares, you’ll find plenty to like here.
What is Dead Rising 2?
Dead Rising 2 is an open-world action game set in a zombie-infested city. You play as Chuck Greene, a former motocross champion who has come to the city of Fortune to compete in a reality TV show called Terror Is Reality. The show is a gruesome spectacle in which contestants kill zombies for points, and it’s clear that Chuck is only in it for the money. But when a zombie outbreak hits the city during the show’s taping, Chuck is forced to use his skills to survive.
The storyline
The story in Dead Rising 2 is not particularly original or interesting. It’s your standard “zombie apocalypse” story, and it doesn’t do anything to stand out from the crowd. The game’s characters are also fairly one-dimensional. Chuck is the tough guy with a heart of gold, his daughter is the plucky kid who’s been through too much, and the rest of the cast is made up of similar archetypes. That said, the story is serviceable, and it does a good job of moving the action along.
The gameplay
Dead Rising 2’s gameplay is a mix of action and puzzle-solving. The bulk of the game is spent fighting zombies, and Chuck has a variety of weapons at his disposal, from baseball bats to chainsaws. The combat is fairly straightforward, and it’s easy to dispatch zombies with a few well-placed hits. But the game does require you to think strategically at times, particularly when you’re fighting larger groups of zombies or when you’re trying to conserve your health. There are also a number of puzzles to solve, most of which are based around finding key cards or items. The puzzles are generally simple, but they’re a welcome break from the combat.
The graphics
Dead Rising 2’s graphics are good, but they’re not great. The game’s environments are well-rendered, but they’re not particularly detailed. The character models are also a bit lacking, and the animations can be stiff at times. But overall, the game looks good, and it runs smoothly.
The sound
The sound in Dead Rising 2 is good. The game’s soundtrack is appropriately atmospheric, and the sound effects are well-done. The voice acting is also decent, although some of the characters can be irritating.
The verdict
Dead Rising 2 is a fun game that’s worth a look if you’re a fan of action games or zombie games. It’s not a particularly scary game, and it’s not particularly original, but it’s a well-made game with plenty to offer.