Frank West is back. But honestly, he looks a little tired. That’s probably the point. When Capcom announced Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, the collective internet groaned just a little bit. Another remaster? Really? We’ve already had the 2016 ports that brought the 2006 Xbox 360 classic to modern consoles. But after spending dozens of hours back in the Willamette Parkview Mall, it’s clear this isn't just a resolution bump. It is a complete structural overhaul using the RE Engine, the same powerhouse behind the recent Resident Evil remakes. It’s weird, it’s janky in that specific Capcom way, and it’s surprisingly relevant in 2026.
The mall is still there. The zombies are still there. But everything feels different.
What is a "Deluxe Remaster" anyway?
Capcom is playing word games. Usually, a "remaster" means they cleaned up the textures and called it a day. A "remake" means they built it from the ground up like Resident Evil 4. Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster sits in this awkward middle ground. They kept the original code for the zombie AI and the physics, but they swapped out every single visual asset. It’s like putting a brand-new Ferrari body on a 20-year-old engine.
It works. Mostly.
The leap to the RE Engine means the lighting is actually scary now. Remember the Entrance Plaza? In the original, it was bright and sort of flat. Now, when the sun sets in real-time, the shadows stretch across the blood-stained linoleum in a way that feels genuinely oppressive. Frank’s face shows every wrinkle, every bead of sweat, and every ounce of regret for ever stepping foot in Colorado. Some fans hate the new face model. They say he looks too old. I think he looks like a guy who has covered wars, you know?
The Survivors Are Less Stupid (But Still Kind Of Stupid)
Let's talk about the biggest headache of the 2006 original: the AI. If you played the OG Dead Rising, you probably have PTSD from trying to lead Aaron and Burt through a crowd of zombies. They would get stuck on a pebble. They would stand still while a zombie chewed on their neck. It was infuriating.
In Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, Capcom finally gave these people some survival instincts.
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They pathfind much better now. If you call them, they actually move toward you instead of spinning in circles. They’re still not tactical geniuses, but they no longer feel like they’re actively trying to commit suicide. This changes the game's loop entirely. You can actually focus on the combat and the timer rather than babysitting a programmed idiot.
Speaking of the timer, the 72-hour mode is still here. It’s still stressful. You still have to manage your time between Scoops (side quests) and the main Case Files. But there’s a new "Fast Forward" feature. It’s a godsend. If you’ve finished your missions and you’re just waiting for the next plot point at 6:00 AM, you can just skip ahead. No more standing in the Security Room for twenty minutes checking your phone in real life.
The Controversial Changes: Voices and Violence
We have to address the elephant in the room. Terence J. Rotolo is gone. The original voice of Frank West was iconic, and for many, he is Frank. The new voice actor, Jas Patrick, does a fine job, but it’s a different vibe. It’s more grounded, maybe a bit more cynical. It takes some getting used to.
Then there’s the "modernization" of the content.
Capcom removed the "Erotica" category for photography. In the 2006 version, you got PP (Prestige Points) for taking suggestive photos of female survivors. That’s gone. Some people are calling it censorship; others say it’s just a sign of the times. Honestly? It doesn't affect the gameplay loop. You’re still taking pictures of gruesome deaths and dramatic moments to level up. The core of the photography system—using your camera as a tool for progression—remains the best part of the game.
They also tweaked some of the psychopath dialogue. Larry the Butcher, for example, had some lines adjusted. If you’re a purist, these changes might sting. But if you’re here to hit a zombie with a lead pipe while wearing a Mega Man suit, the spirit of the game is 100% intact.
Why the RE Engine Changes Everything
The technical jump is the real story here. Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster runs at a silky smooth 60fps on modern hardware, and the zombie density is higher than ever. There is something deeply satisfying about seeing five hundred individual zombies on screen, each with distinct gore effects.
The physics have been refined too.
- Auto-save is now a thing. You don't have to hunt for a bathroom every ten minutes just to make sure you don't lose three hours of progress.
- Moving while aiming is finally possible. Yes, in 2006, Frank had to stand perfectly still to fire a handgun. Now he can strafe. It makes the gunplay actually viable instead of a last resort.
- Durability bars are now visible on your UI. No more guessing when your small chainsaw is about to break.
These are "quality of life" changes that make the game feel like it belongs in 2026 without stripping away the difficulty that made it a cult classic. It’s still hard. You will still die if you get cornered. The bosses (the Psychopaths) will still absolutely wreck you if you go in unprepared.
The Willamette Mall: A Masterclass in Level Design
The mall remains the star of the show. It’s a perfect sandbox. You start in the Warehouse, move through Paradise Plaza, and eventually unlock the whole sprawling complex. Every store is a toy box.
Need a weapon? Go to the hardware store.
Need health? Go to the food court and blend some oranges.
Want to look ridiculous? Go to the toy store and put on a Servbot mask.
The environmental storytelling in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is actually enhanced by the new graphics. You can see the details in the storefronts, the blood spatters on the posters, and the sheer environmental storytelling of a consumerist paradise turned into a graveyard. It’s satire, and the RE Engine's high-fidelity textures make that satire hit a little harder.
Is It Worth It?
If you’ve never played Dead Rising, this is the version to get. Period. The original is legendary, but its friction points—the save system, the AI, the controls—are massive barriers for modern players. This version removes those barriers while keeping the soul of the game.
For returning fans, it’s a bit more complicated. If you just want the same game you played in 2006, you might find the voice changes or the "Erotica" removal annoying. But the gameplay improvements are so significant that it’s hard to go back to the old version once you’ve tasted the fluidity of the Deluxe Remaster.
It’s a weird project. It’s more than a port, but less than a full Resident Evil-style remake. It’s a middle ground that suggests Capcom is testing the waters. If this sells well, maybe we finally get Dead Rising 5. Or maybe a remake of Dead Rising 2 with Chuck Greene. One can hope.
Actionable Next Steps for Players:
If you are jumping into the mall for the first time or the hundredth, keep these specific strategies in mind to survive the first 24 hours:
- Prioritize the "Small Chainsaw": Head to the Wonderland Plaza and deal with Adam the Clown as soon as he appears. His chainsaws are the best weapons in the game, especially when paired with the three engineering and entertainment books that buff their durability.
- Use the New Fast Forward Wisely: Don't skip time if you have survivors waiting to be rescued. Use the extra time to hunt for PP stickers (hidden icons you can photograph) to level up Frank quickly.
- Check the Map for Blue Icons: The new UI makes it much easier to track survivors. If you see a blue dot, drop what you're doing. Leveling up Frank's speed and inventory slots is entirely dependent on rescuing as many people as possible early on.
- Master the "Jump Kick": It’s still the most reliable way to clear a path through a crowd without wasting weapon durability. Level up until you unlock the Somersault Kick for even better crowd control.
The mall is open. Good luck.