Dead Rising

Dead Rising

Dead Rising is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Capcom. Released in 2006 for the Xbox 360, the game quickly became known for its unique premise, which places players in the midst of a zombie outbreak at a shopping mall, and its quirks that have earned it a reputation among fans as both endearing and frustrating.

Gameplay Overview

The game follows photojournalist Frank West, who finds himself trapped in a mall teeming with zombies. Armed with a variety of weapons — from chainsaws to frying pans — players must survive for 72 in-game hours, rescue survivors, and uncover the truth behind the outbreak.

While Dead Rising received praise for its creative gameplay and dark humor, it is equally famous for its "janky" mechanics that often left players scratching their heads.

Janky Features

Save System

Dead Rising is notorious for its restrictive save system. Players can save their progress only at designated points (bathrooms or couches in the mall), which many felt added an unnecessary layer of difficulty. Coupled with the game's unforgiving time management system, this led to countless moments of frustration when progress was lost due to an untimely death or missed objective.

Time Management

The in-game clock is always ticking, and players must prioritize missions carefully. This mechanic, while innovative, often feels punishing. Missing a key mission or failing to save a survivor can lock players out of crucial storylines, forcing them to restart the game to see all the content. This offers a sense of replay value, however, can also present itself with countless inevitable moments of the TRUTH VANISHING INTO DARKNESS moments forcing the player to reload and try again.

Survivor AI

Rescuing survivors is a central goal in Dead Rising, but their AI behavior is widely criticized. Survivors often fail to follow Frank, regardless of how many times he instructs them to "FOLLOW ME!". They often will get stuck on obstacles or run straight into zombie hordes. In Franks quest to survive the zombie outbreak and discover the truth, this is epitome of jank within the game.

Controls

The controls in Dead Rising are often described as clunky, particularly when it comes to aiming firearms or navigating the mall's tight spaces. The decision to include tank-like movement (tank controls) for certain actions, while adding to the challenge, is a prime example of the games charm. Capcom is notorious for creating games within difficult handling, and Dead Rising certainly meets those expectations.

Overpowered Weapons

On the other hand, Dead Rising includes weapons that completely trivialize combat, such as the small chainsaw, which can dispatch zombies with ease. These overpowered items are often viewed as a bizarre discoveries, leading to sense of exploration to reveal what other potential zombie slaying devices are available. The jank that comes with such an arsenal however is the limited durability of each item. Quickly dispatching a group of zombies can leave the player empty handed rather quickly.

Reception

Despite its quirks, Dead Rising has a dedicated fanbase that appreciates its ambition and charm. While some of its janky features detract from the experience, others contribute to its identity as a unique and memorable game. Critics at the time were divided, praising the creativity while lamenting the frustrating mechanics.

Legacy

Dead Rising spawned several sequels and spin-offs, each attempting to refine the formula. However, the original remains a cult classic, beloved for its balance of absurdity, challenge, and, of course, its jank.

Jank Rank

10/10 - Would jank with it again. This game is a prime example of that "good jank." It is unbelievably frustrating at times, however is matched only with the humor it brings and finally balanced out with the challenge and fun.

External Links

• [Official Capcom Website](https://www.capcom.com)
• [Dead Rising on Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dead-rising)