Dead Rising 2

[samejamesbond]

Story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hky8J-geCM4

The game takes place five years after Frank West's report on the Willamette
outbreak and two years after the Las Vegas outbreak, the game follows former
motocross champion Chuck Greene trying to earn some money for his infected
daughter, who got bit by her mother in the Las Vegas outbreak, to purchase some
Zombrex, a drug that prevents an infected person from becoming a zombie.

He participates in the zombie slaying television show "Terror is Reality" to make
the money, only for the zombies to escape the arena and infect Fortune City. Later,
it is revealed by the news, Chuck was framed for the outbreak and has 3 days to
prove his innocence.

Much like the first Dead Rising, Dead Rising 2's plot is similar to the Romero
zombie films, with the constant insults of capitalism and constant, cheesy one-liners.

Gameplay:

While the original Dead Rising was a great game, that doesn't mean it didn't have
some flaws. The awkward save system and irritating survivor AI held the game
back but wasn't enough to hold it back. Fortunately, Capcom increased the save
slots to 3 and has greatly improved the AI to the point I have only had a
problem once out of the dozens of survivors I saved.

The Photography from Dead Rising has been removed for the new Combination
Weapons, which combine two average items to create an all-powerful new
weapon. Weapons like the Paddlesaw (Oar and Chainsaw), the Power Guitar
(Electric Guitar and Amplifier) or the Laser Sword (Flashlight and Gems) do
massive damage to zombies and help give Chuck experience. Just trying to find
the various combinations of weapons can be very addicting on its own, and the
brutal carnage they produce makes the game so much more entertaining.

One problem I found with Dead Rising was the lack of minigames, but this has
changed with a huge assortment of minigames. Players can play poker, ride a
mechanized bull, play slot machines, play virtual golf, it’s almost endless what you
can do in Fortune City.

Psychopaths return in Dead Rising 2, from a cannibalistic chef, a "Walker Texas
Ranger" cop, to a Tiger and his owner, the diversity never ends. At first they will
be brutal to defeat, but as Chuck kills more zombies and escorts survivors, he will
level up, giving him new moves and increasing his stats.

Throughout Dead Rising 2, you will earn money from certain escorts, gambling, or
breaking open ATMs/Cash Registers to spend at various pawnshops at the mall
for rare weapons or keys to vehicles around the city.

Finally, Dead Rising 2 has addicting multiplayer. Players can play through the main
game with online coop allowing player to tackle the dangerous psychopaths and
awesome campaign with a friend. Also, Dead Rising 2 allows players to participate
in an online version of Terror is Reality with 9 different events to play with 3 other
players. The best part is, all money earned online goes to the story mode.

Graphics:

Capcom has nailed an amazing virtual Vegas, with the various casinos and malls all
looking very unique and realistic. The Silver Strip especially stands out for its many
lights and features.

Another outstanding thing about Dead Rising 2 is the game can handle over 7000
zombies on screen at a time, which is unheard of, especially concerning I have
never encountered one slow down no matter how many zombies are around.

Sound:

Zombie games aren't known for their soundtracks, but Dead Rising 2 is a huge
exception with an outstanding soundtrack including the simple jazzy Elevator Music
that is played around the malls, which includes the original 5 from the original Dead
Rising.

Various Mall Music:

Mall Music 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qywQZqrm2Hg&feature=related

Mall Music 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBiITfdmm0A&feature=related

Mall Music 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drdf-mHuTy4&feature=related

Mall Music 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiAvYiFtQlw&feature=related

Mall Music 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJX1IVmRSOU&feature=related

VIP Lounge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs6OaeABOPA&feature=related

Velveeta:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_77lqGAZ4&feature=related

Super Shopper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cZvvtFAycE&feature=related

The Grand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LToWryatj9w&feature=related

Americana Casino:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd9E2MS3AwU&feature=related

Slot Ranch Casino:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUTMW6dM5xY&feature=related


The Psychopaths however, have rock themes that are just as good as the jazzy
mall themes which were composed by actual artists:

Psychopath themes:


Antoine the Chef:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e11iBI20jU&feature=related

Seymour the Cop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNQmqhwKZxQ&feature=related

Slappy the Mascot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTAzAOSvW1A&feature=related

Randy the Groom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnQr_8SWLx4&feature=related

Ted the Tiger Trainer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhtYUR14V6o&feature=related

Leon the Motorcyclist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZkVNauzCac&feature=related

Brandon the Protestor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRAZho_a-2Y&feature=related

Carl the Postman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9JoPmnYEHc&feature=related

Dwight the Sergeant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5-slPWKrlw&feature=related

Reed and Rodger the Magicians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlNTy1vfHHc&feature=related


Replay Value:

Dead Rising 2 was designed with Replay value in mind, you can play the story over
and over again, saving stats and money through each playthrough which helps the
game pace very nicely, allowing players tackle which mission they feel like.

Overall:

Dead Rising 2 is a masterpiece, with an awesome storyline, near perfect gameplay
including great minigames with smooth shooting and driving controls, superb music,
and the ability to play it over and over again.

A perfect 5/5

[StarfoxFan2009]

Nice review SJB too bad i don't have a 360 :)

[samejamesbond]

It's for the PS3 too.

[Mareeps]

Hint: to have a Free Mode, (sort of) just ignore the case files.

[joz]

Looks good. I really want to play this game, but I should start with the first one. Are they only for Xbox?

[samejamesbond]

The first Dead Rising is an Xbox exculsive, but Dead Rising 2 is for both 360 and PS3.

[Dudebro]

I should start with the first one
Why? Even if there's continuing plot I doubt it matters. DR1 had one of the weakest stories(and main characters) I've ever encountered. It's just do some quests or fight zombies until you get bored.

[samejamesbond]

I found the plot interesting because of its intentional cheesiness and how it felt like playing in a
Romero zommbie flick. But, the characters are a bit on the weak side, aside from Frank, he's
not one of the most popular Capcom characters for no reason.

[Dudebro]

Obviously I disagree about Frank West. I played the game too and to me he was barely there and I didn't care about him at all. I guess we'll need a second(third?) opinion about this to be sure.

Btw I think most of his popularity comes from the irrational obsession with anything to do with Zombies. People latch onto this stuff regardless of quality, like most zombie movies.

[Kugyince]

Frank's a sheep. He basically does anything anyone asks hime to, no questions asked.

"Frank, I know I'm a cop and all but since you're a photographer would you mind rescuing this old couple from the mall's roof?"

[samejamesbond]

He does do everything everyone tells him, but then again it was so he could get the story.
But his is one of the coolest Video Game characters in history.

That couple on the roof is stupid.

[sezthemank]

Alls I can say is that it looks AWSOME! Is it only on Xbox 360 though?

[samejamesbond]

You guys should read the comments first, this is the third time. :)

Dead Rising 2 is for 360 and PS3.

[Dudebro]

But his is one of the coolest Video Game characters in history.
Sure, if you haven't played many good games.