Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Video Game Review for Xbox 360

The internet is a remarkably powerful tool that brings us, the consumer, a little closer to the creative designers of video games every single day. In theory, downloadable games are able to reach gaming audiences much faster than traditional manufactured discs. As a result, it seems only natural that as they catch on we'll be seeing more and more of ideas like Dead Rising 2: Case Zero. This downloadable Xbox 360 game is one of the first to enter into the clever genre of extra prequel-style gaming straight to your screen.

Plot

Dead Rising 2: Case Zero acts as a prequel to Dead Rising 2 which will be released in September 2010. It introduces the main character of DR2, Chuck Green and his infected but still human daughter Katey as they try to survive in the deserted desert town of Still Creek--well deserted except for a host of zombies who want to take you down. Chuck has lost his supply of Zombrex, a drug that keeps someone who has been bitten from turning into a zombie for 12 hours per dose, and so part of his mission is to maintain enough of a supply of it so that Katey remains human.

Gameplay

For an inexpensive downloadable game, this download gives you a lot more than you will be expecting. It introduces to you all of the major changes that have been made to the game from Dead Rising to Dead Rising 2. Zombies can appear in larger numbers and battle controls are more responsive. As before, weapons wear down with use, so you are encouraged to take care of your zombie enemies in as many different ways as possible--spoiler alert, they are all fun.

There is also a new feature where weapons can be combined in a fun synthesis style. A box of nails and baseball bat becomes a spiked bat and an electric drill and bucket creates a ridiculous head-trapping zombie killing device. The combinations are creative and amusing--there is nothing like 1001 ways to kill a zombie being at your fingertips.

Your main mission for this installment is to find bike parts and bring them back to your starting place before the time runs out. Just like in Dead Rising 2, the clock can be a difficult adversary to fun, which is a mistake in the design it feels like at most times. All you really want to do is run around killing zombies--you don't want this annoying clock of doom endlessly reminding you of your limited time.

Conclusion

This game has a lot of content for such a great deal. For the price of 400 Microsoft points (which translates into $5), you get a game that can give you plenty of hours of fun. One of the things that will make it such a treat for fans of the series is that once you have leveled up your character in this game, you can take over that level into Dead Rising 2. Buying this game is a win situation no matter who you are. Reviewers have given it about an 8/10.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Rising_2:_Case_Zero#Case_Zero ; http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/64102/dead-rising-2-case-zero/review/

Similar Articles by J G Hodnette:

5 Easiest Video Game Boss Fights of All Time

Deadliest Warrior: The Game Video Game Review

Naughty Bear for Xbox 360 Video Game Review