Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster: 7 Ways To Kill Time Instead of Saving Survivors

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster protagonist Frank West is good at two things: killing zombies and taking photos. What he’s not so skilled at is rescuing survivors. That’s based on our time previewing the upcoming remaster’s opening hours, anyway. It’s not that we don’t want to help the unfortunate souls trapped within the Willamette shopping mall. It’s just that there are so many other entertaining ways we could be spending our time! Here were our favorite means of avoiding responsibility and delighting in the zombie apocalypse instead during our Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster preview.

1. Taking photos instead of helping people

Listen, this one might sound bad, but Frank really sets the stage for us. The opening to Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster sees him taking snaps of the city from a helicopter, hovering awkwardly close to several people, lens at the ready, as they succumb to the undead hordes. So really, us choosing to photograph a brain-muncher chowing down on Aaron instead of saving their life is only roleplaying Frank's established character. Plus, think of all the experience these action shots will score!

2. Accessorizing

Shopping malls are one of our least favorite places to kill time. But that’s only because you’re expected to pay for everything. Thanks to our good friends from the grave, however, the Willamette mall in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster isn’t charging. Well, not unless you’re planning to pay in grey matter.

As such, we’ve spent far, far too long visiting every store to find Frank’s perfect fit. Clothes are just the start. Shoes, glasses, and even hats are yours to model, time-dependent survivor quests be damned. Just because we’re behind the camera, doesn’t mean we can’t look our best!

3. Enjoying zombie sports

Blades might be the most efficient way to cut a swathe through shamblers, but there’s something so satisfying about booting a soccer ball directly into zombie faces. The Willamette mall’s sports outlets are ridiculously well stocked. A short spot of looting is enough to equip you for a round of undead-slaying Olympics.

After soccer starts to stale, whip out a hockey stick to start pinging pucks, get some golf on, or grab a bowling ball to send zombie terrors tumbling. Our favorite has to be the skateboard, which allows you to roll through the masses at pace. Find the right literature and you can even add jump tricks to your repertoire. How’s a Frank supposed to focus with all these fun distractions?

4. Blending nightmarish smoothies

Phew! All that exercise has worked up an appetite, but with the waiting staff now keen to put you on the menu, self service is the only option. Thankfully, Frank West is a dab hand with a blender. Take a quick trip to the grocery store and you can stuff your inven-pantry full of tasty smoothie ingredients. Or, like us, you can grab the most unhinged mix of foods possible. Raw steak and Japanese radish? Frank’s digestive system must be even more durable than his jacket.

5. Going fishing (with our hands)

The mall life can feel a little claustrophobic – almost like everyone’s trying to take a bite out of you. Thank goodness, then, that the Willamette’s planners incorporated a large central park, complete with a pond. Provided you can avoid the flesh eaters and bloodthirsty escaped prisoners, it’s the perfect spot to indulge in a bit of fishing. In the Deluxe Remaster, Frank takes the Alaskan bear approach, quite literally grabbing a handful. A honking great fish is hardly a hardy weapon, but slapping zombies around the chops is immensely satisfying every time. Actually, hold on – this is giving us a great new idea for a smoothie…

6. Supermarket Sweeping away the zombies

With Dead Rising set in 2006, Frank West presumably grew up with the grocery-shopping game show as staple television. As such, it only feels right to grab a trolley and get racing in the Deluxe Remaster. The challenge? Offering a free limb-based discount to as many zombies as you can reach. Setting a timer and quizzing yourself with general trivia is entirely optional. Just watch out for rival competitors in the North Plaza grocery store!

7. Cosplaying

As if our Frank’s outfit options in the base game weren’t enough, developer Capcom has thrown a bunch of extra choices into the Digital Deluxe Edition or as pre-order bonuses. Want to cosplay as Leon S Kennedy or Mega Man? You can do that! And don't worry, zombies aren't capable of judging how accurate your costume is. Just maybe steer clear of the Resident Evil Licker outfit unless you’re really keen on uncomfortably animated slimy tongues.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster (Physical)

Release Date: November 8, 2024

• PlayStation 5Pre-Order
• Xbox SeriesPre-Order

Preview code provided by the publisher.