Dead Rising 2: Case Zero

[GamerMan316]

Joystiq Preview



Capcom is doing something pretty interesting with the release of Dead Rising 2. Prior to its August 31 launch, Capcom will put out Dead Rising 2: Case Zero, an Xbox Live exclusive prequel sans co-op  that takes place two years after the original and three years prior to the second game. In short: it's distilled Dead Rising 2 on a much smaller scale.

The game opens up with Chuck Greene, ex-motocrosser and father of infected daughter Shelley, as he speeds into the town of Still Creek in his blood-splattered truck. For reasons we won't get into for the sake of teh spoilerz, Chuck becomes stranded with his daughter Katey, loses all of his Zombrex -- the expensive drug that keeps her infection at bay -- and is tasked with cobbling together a dirt bike from parts scattered around town in the hopes of making it out of Still Creek alive.

Still Creek itself has a very small town feel -- mostly because it's literally a small town. The main drag has a few buildings and alleyways, with accessible rooftops and hidden items to discover, like a high-powered sniper rifle. There's also the requisite hidden survivors, looking for some respite from the gaping maws of the town's hungry inhabitants, should players feel like lending a helping hand. It's straight up Dead Rising 2 in a small town that lasts 12 in-game hours.

And there will be connectivity between the XBLA game and Dead Rising 2, naturally. Players can reach level five in Case Zero, then carry all of those PP points on over to the retail game -- not to mention accrued cash. The Capcom rep accompanying me during my sojourn through Still Creek said that's what Capcom found to be a good balance for carrying over the attributes.

While we bugged Capcom for a launch date and pricing for Case Zero, the rep sadly wouldn't budge. We'll be sure to let you know as soon as we find out.

[Lukehi]

Really interesting way to:
a) build interest and hype for your new retail game
b) keep the demo interesting, rather than playing X amount of levels or hours
c) rewards those who invest time in the demo by allowing 'carry-over'

Fresh thinking, well done Capcom...

[GamerMan316]

Really interesting way to:
a) build interest and hype for your new retail game
b) keep the demo interesting, rather than playing X amount of levels or hours
c) rewards those who invest time in the demo by allowing 'carry-over'

Fresh thinking, well done Capcom...

I agree, also well done Capcom for making a game with Zombies in it, you know like you used to in days of yore 

[Failed]

Any news on them fixing the sh*t save system ??

[GamerMan316]

Any news on them fixing the sh*t save system ??

Nothing to fix, great save system.

But no, no news on what kind of save system they'll use this time, hopefully it'll remain the same as I don't have a problem with it.

[Failed]

i'm sure they will fix it, it's pretty much one of the only things the first game got slated for.

[GamerMan316]

i'm sure they will fix it, it's pretty much one of the only things the first game got slated for.

I'm just reading some guy's blog from 1Up, and he reckons there will be 3 save slots instead of one, but still no word yet, I can see why it got slated but I liked it.  This is what the blog says:

With all of the information being relayed to readers across many magazines, blogs, websites, etc. after the Captivate 2010 I've been hearing a lot about Dead Rising 2. Dead Rising 1 being one of my favorite games on the 360, I've been quite happy to hear more and more details about the sequel.

One thing I've been hearing a lot of complaints about, though, is whether or not they will change the game's save system. And I have to say I truly hope they don't. The save system for that game is unique in a certain way and has huge impact on how you play it. When I first played the game I absolutely despised it. I honestly considered it one of the worst games I'd ever played. After playing it for about 4 hours I put it away for 2-3 months. But after hearing a lot of friends and people online talk about how good the game was I decided to come back.

And then I was hooked. What changed for me, and what I think is the key to understanding and enjoying Dead Rising, is changing your perspective on its save system. It's not a linear-progression game like a Gears of War or a God of War III. It's almost like a rogue-like, in a way.

You start of the game at level 1 without knowing where important items are, where to go, what to do, etc. You figure out how to save a couple of survivors and where a couple of good weapons are, get up to level 5, and then you die. That is where most people get frustrated. That is where most people (like Thierry Nguyen, if I remember correctly from a 4 Guys 1 UP episode) decided to just grind.

However, what I believe to be the developers' intention, and a good way to go about it, is to just calmy restart. This time you're starting off at level 5, you know where the katana is, and where to get some orange juice. So you save the same survivors as last, but faster, find a few better items, get better acquainted with the map, and save a few new survivors. You even make it up to level 12. And then you die. Again.

But that's the beauty of the game. Each time you make it a little bit farther, a little bit faster, with a little bit more style. It really forces you to plan out your path, your healing items, your playstyle, etc. This is the only way that the game can really make you learn about all of its items, mechanics, the layout of the mall, etc. If the save system were changed to a traditional one a lot of the game's charm and core mechanics would be lost. And that would be a huge pity.

I really can't wait for Dead Rising 2 and I hope they keep the same save system. It seems like they'll have 3 slots this time, but to be honest, I actually hope they only have 1 like in the old game.

[Failed]

so when i die, and the game makes me start again because i forgot to save the game (because it's a stupid save point). Then when i start a new game i'll be level 3 or whatever level i got to before i died?

[GamerMan316]

so when i die, and the game makes me start again because i forgot to save the game (because it's a stupid save point). Then when i start a new game i'll be level 3 or whatever level i got to before i died?

Yep, that's how it works.

[GamerMan316]

[Failed]

so when i die, and the game makes me start again because i forgot to save the game (because it's a stupid save point). Then when i start a new game i'll be level 3 or whatever level i got to before i died?

Yep, that's how it works.

That's silly!! Does it auto-save your level then? I might still be level 3

[GamerMan316]

so when i die, and the game makes me start again because i forgot to save the game (because it's a stupid save point). Then when i start a new game i'll be level 3 or whatever level i got to before i died?

Yep, that's how it works.

That's silly!! Does it auto-save your level then? I might still be level 3

Yep, you'll be at level 3 should you wish to play the game again.  A friend of mine just ignored all the story missions and tried saving survivors and grinded until he reached the maximum level (50) and then died, started the game again with full abilities and inventory slots and stuff and breezed through the story.

I did the story from the beginning and only got to about Level 25 by the time i'd finished it.

[GamerMan316]

Dead Rising 2: Case Zero dated

Capcom has said that Dead Rising 2: Case Zero will be released on 31st August and exclusively on Xbox Live.

This will cost 400 Microsoft Points (£3.40/€4.80).

Case Zero serves as a prologue to Dead Rising 2, introducing main character Chuck Greene and some new gameplay elements. You'll pick-up the story two years after Dead Rising 1 and three years before Dead Rising 2, and find Chuck and daughter Katey trapped in the zombie-infested town of Still Creek.

You'll be able to duct tape weapons and objects together, just like in Dead Rising 2, and any "player levels", "prestige points" and "combo cards" earned will carry over into the full game.

[DFUSIONITE]

Dead Rising 2: Case Zero dated

Capcom has said that Dead Rising 2: Case Zero will be released on 31st August and exclusively on Xbox Live.

This will cost 400 Microsoft Points (£3.40/€4.80).

Case Zero serves as a prologue to Dead Rising 2, introducing main character Chuck Greene and some new gameplay elements. You'll pick-up the story two years after Dead Rising 1 and three years before Dead Rising 2, and find Chuck and daughter Katey trapped in the zombie-infested town of Still Creek.



I was expecting the game to be priced at at least 800 points, 400 is a complete bargain. Especially if there are 12 hours of gameplay as suggested. I cannot wait now! They are very clever pricing it so low, it means loads of people will get it equating to a lot more game sales when the full retail release comes out. I hope it catches on.


You'll be able to duct tape weapons and objects together, just like in Dead Rising 2, and any "player levels", "prestige points" and "combo cards" earned will carry over into the full game.

[GamerMan316]

Brilliant price, I was expecting 800 at the very least but 400 is a steal.