With the release of Dead Rising 4 only a few hours away, reviews from those lucky enough to get their hands on it early have begun to flow in. It would appear that the game continues its classic appeal with zombie carnage, while leaving out the co op functions without needing to be in a different game mode.
Much like the original Dead Rising, Dead Rising 4 will be set in a newly created mall with a fresh new outbreak. Unlike the first however, this edition of the game allows players to step foot outside and explore the surrounding town as the undead continue to grow.A government conspiracy will once again drive the story, although from reviews, it would seem as though that the developers wanted to make a more meaningful plot to keep players involved in the story.
Overall, the reviews that have come in so far have all been fairly decent for the game. One new edition to the game is Freshies, newly turned zombies that will feature superior speed and ferocity. Evos’ will also roam around and attempt to kill Frank from above. Leaping down onto him while enraging all zombies nearby.
Dead Rising 4 takes place nearly 16 years after the first events that went down in the Mall. Now, Frank West finds himself battling the undead during Christmas time trying to unravel yet another groundbreaking story. The main difference with the new game is the fact that most missions, unlike its predecessors, will not be time sensitive, and can be completed at any time the player wishes. Only new the end of the game will players need to finish certain tasks within a set time limit.
One thing to note is that Dead Rising 4 will be a timed exclusive, meaning that it may eventually find its way to PS4 in the future. The game will be released tomorrow and will be purchasable as a base game or a deluxe edition. If picking up the deluxe edition, players will get the season pass as well as the X-fist.
Below you can find just a few of the reviews out for Dead Rising 4.
IGN– Brandin Tyrrel- 8.1/10
Dead Rising 4 has the best core gameplay the series has ever seen. Its inventive and humorous ways to put down the dead are something I still haven’t tired of, and its surprisingly interesting plot is more than just a zombie-killing delivery system. Despite the technical blemishes that come with the series, its lack of co-op story mode play, and the fun-yet-unreliable multiplayer, Frank West’s return brings the series some fresh ideas, a ton of bloody mayhem, and a whole lot of cracking wise. Here’s hoping he sticks around for a while.
GameSpot– Scott Butterworth- 7/10
Dead Rising’s zombie-slaughtering formula has started to wear a bit thin after all these years, especially since its combat remains largely routine. The surprisingly well-crafted story, wild new combo weapons, and expansive open world elements, however, turn Dead Rising 4 into an over-the-top piece of popcorn entertainment that captures the series’ best elements.
Game Informer– Jeff Cork- 8.75/10
I’ve been a fan of Dead Rising since the first one, and my enthusiasm has only grown over the years. I enjoyed getting dirty in Dead Rising 4’s madcap sandbox, and I’d expect that people who have kept up with the series will also have a great time wreaking havoc in Willamette. Players who wanted to get into it before but were put off by the time constraints should definitely give it a shot, too. In many ways, this is the game that people who just wanted to be a one-man zombie wrecking crew were probably hoping for all along.
GamesRadar– Sam Prell- 4/5
It feels like for every upside Dead Rising 4 has going for it, there’s a bit of a downer. The story is much tighter and more focused, at the expense of the colorful psychopaths of previous games. The timer has been removed, making exploration more enjoyable, but that kills any a sense of tension. Frank is back, but he feels a bit more focus-tested and generic. However, Dead Rising 4 succeeds more than it fails – and when it succeeds, it does so in ways that feel significant.
Polygon– Arthur Gies- 8/10
Dead Rising 4 has thousands of zombies to kill, with an omnipresent Christmas theme that’s bizarre, unifying and, strangely, soothing. Right now, as we all wind our way toward the end of a very confusing, often sad and traumatic year, I found myself enjoying the opportunity to get lost in it without having to think about it very much. Dead Rising 4 may not be smart, but I was never bored.