Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Review
Written by: alex1176
"Dead Rising 2: Case Zero" is a downloadable prequel to "Dead Rising 2" that costs only $5. That being said, only XBOX 360 owners can purchase it since it is solely exclusive to that system. So, if you have a 360 and love "Dead Rising", or zombie games in general, it's certainly a must buy. For only 5 dollars, you get a meaty 10-15 hour gameplay experience. The game is almost a demo of sorts to "Dead Rising 2" as it contains the same type of gameplay and structure. You play the part of Chuck Greene, a MotorCross bike rider, who is seeking the much coveted Zombrex; the drug that keeps zombie-bitten victims from turning into the undead. In this case, it's Chuck's little daughter, Katey.
Unlike the full game, "Case Zero" does not take place in a glitzy Las Vegas mall. Instead, the setting is a small, desolate Nevada town located in the dusty desert. It just so happens that Chuck's truck breaks down on the way to Sin City and he is out of Zombrex for Katey. Zombrex must be applied daily to vicitms, so Chuck desperately seeks for it. Unfortunately, the military has placed the town on lockdown due to a zombie outbreak. As you seek for Zombrex, you'll also find survivors in need of rescuing. Unfortunately, time is not your friend. You must get out of town before the military starts to "cleanup".
The game is bloody fun. It plays just like the first "Dead Rising", but doesn't contain any of its frustrating aspects. The game contains three save slots, improved survivor A.I. and smoother controls. The main thing that has been added are weapon combos which are humorous as they are deadly. You can fry a few zombies with a rake electrified by a car battery (!) or impale them with a pitchfork and then blow them to bits with the attached shotgun. And if you can find the parts, you can also use Kayak row oars to slice zombies apart by attaching chainsaws to each end! The game is filled with many "Evil Dead"-esque weapons.
The cool aspect to the game is how you can export your character to "Dead Rising 2". Chuck can be maximized to Level 5 which gives him a few special moves and combo cards. Also, there are four different endings depending on how many survivors you rescue (including your daughter). And there are 12 achievements which equals to 200 Gamerpoints for those gamers who care. Overall, the prequel is packed with plenty of entertainment value. You can even dress up Chuck in different wardrobes, find plenty of weapons and magazines which offer different power boosts. The game is certainly worth five bucks. If you haven't played the first or second game, then this is a perfect introduction to the series.