

Basically, you and your squad spawn in a slice of the world, complete a series of objectives selected from a small, preset pool, then head for a randomly designated safe zone.

The pacing and narrative scaffolding of the campaign work well without a partner, but the new mode doesn't offer much consolation for co-op fans. In defiance of the two most recent Dead Rising games, co-op has been removed from the campaign and funneled into a separate multiplayer mode. The process of saving your photos isn't particularly well explained upfront, but having a metagame that's always available can turn even random exploration into a worthwhile endeavor. Frank's camera also plays a crucial role in the Arkham-esque investigation sequences that periodically pop up during the campaign. Along the way, you might also discover survivors that need rescuing-though thankfully you'll never have to escort anyone to a safehouse.Īnd of course, Frank's packing his trademark camera, so photography returns as an optional method for accruing experience and Achievements-and the progression system, though perfunctory, does give the campaign a sense of forward momentum. You can also seek out "maniacs"-special side bosses that aren't quite as memorable as previous games' "psychopaths" but can nonetheless hit you with an amusing curveball. Obtaining combo weapon blueprints frequently forces exploration and puzzle-solving, which can be frustrating but also satisfying. The central mall and its surrounding areas are packed with hidden secrets, interesting weapons, and compelling collectibles.

Unlike the original and its immediate sequel, Dead Rising 4's campaign doesn't have a timer, and while that erodes the series' identity to a degree, it allows the open world and all its activities to breathe. There's also plenty to do outside of combat. The game may not challenge your skills, but it certainly rewards your curiosity. Suits are scattered sparingly across the map and they lose power pretty quickly, but they're a blast while they last. And though not technically a combo weapon, the new Exo suit-a mechanical exoskeleton that turns Frank into a robotic superhuman-provides several hilarious ways to send zombies screaming into oblivion. Whether you've created an electrified axe or a toy Santa that spits acid, new combo weapons consistently provide fleeting bursts of concentrated joy. There are now more than 50 in total, and once you've obtained a blueprint and the requisite materials, you can craft your new death-dealer on the fly rather than dragging everything to a workbench like Dead Rising 2. First, the deep and hilarious supply of outrageous combo weapons. While greater mechanical depth could have made Dead Rising 4 a more intense and rewarding game, I can mostly forgive its one-note combat for two big reasons. Honestly, the hardest part of Dead Rising 4 is trying to pick a specific item up when it's situated too near a pile of other objects. The new super-agile Evo zombies are definitely harder to put down, but of the 14,000-plus zombies I killed, only 71 were Evos. I always had plenty of health and weapons, and armed enemy soldiers seemed nearly as braindead as the undead. In fact, Dead Rising 4 is rarely challenging in any way, and there's no way to select a higher difficulty level. It's serviceable, even satisfying in its cathartic brutality, but it's also rudimentary, offering little depth or challenge. Though Frank uses a mix of melee, ranged, and throwable weapons, you're going to spend most of your time just mashing the X button to whack whatever's in front of you. Fundamentally, the core combat has evolved less than any other facet of the series. The gameplay, on the other hand, is a bit more mixed. The heavily advertised Exo Suit plays only a minor role in the overall experience. From the dark, satirical humor of the collectible journals to the jaunty holiday music that plays over the pause screen, Dead Rising's juxtaposition of slaughter and silliness makes for a memorable world.

There's also a coherent personality that binds every aspect of the experience together. And though Frank isn't always likable, he's frequently relatable and entertaining, spouting goofy, smart-assed quips at every opportunity. The central mystery consistently metes out new clues that keep the plot intriguing and the action meaningful. Frank and Vick's relationship feels nuanced and believable. By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot'sįor a game that's all about mindless zombie murder, the storytelling is remarkably adept.
