Case Zero has you controlling Chuck Greene, a so-called Mr. Fix it. There isn’t anything Chuck can’t whip up with a few odds and ends. If you have a bat and some nails, and find yourself a workbench, you will have an extremely deadly weapon.
The journey begins when Chuck and his daughter Katy stop in the small town of Stillwater, located forty-six miles outside the Las Vegas border.
It is soon discovered that Chuck’s daughter is very sick and in need of Zombrex; this is due to a bite she sustained from her mother shortly prior to their arrival in Stillwater. While the truck gasses up, Chuck takes his daughter into the gas station to investigate. Once inside, they are startled by a huge explosion and rapid sounds of gun fire.
Chuck rushes outside to investigate, but in the process he wanders too far away from the gas station allowing his truck to be stolen. After failing to chase down his truck on foot, Chuck realizes he left the only few Zombrexs he had left in the vehicle.
After the loss of his truck, Chuck discovers the source of the explosion and gunfire. His daughter asks, “Who are those guys daddy?” Confronted by one of many encounters to come, Chuck is now burdened with the worriment of protecting his daughter as he rushes back to the gas station for cover.
Now left with no Zombrex or vehicle, you must find a way to survive while keeping your ill daughter alive. This is where things get tricky; just about everything you do has a time limit, so you will have to learn how to juggle everything at once. First, you have your daughter who needs her Zombrex just about every twelve hours. Next is the military, and they will move into your area at certain hours, making your tasks more difficult.
Case Zero is an objective orientated game. When an objective is needed to be completed, an arrow must be followed to reach that location. Whenever you follow the objective arrow and complete a certain amount of objectives, the chapter will push itself forward, making it even harder.
Dead Rising 2: Case Zero feels very linear and rather stiff around the edges, but in some ways it could be considered a diamond in the rough.
I love the crafting system that was implemented; it gives you the ability to express yourself by making killer weapon combinations. It places a new spin on just a plain, ordinary hack-and-slash game and it really spices things up. In addition to crafting and customizing your weapons, you are also allowed to do the same thing to the food and drinks that you find in the world; you can mix and match them to get different effects.
The graphics in Dead Rising 2: Case Zero are very good with plenty of sweet blood splatter that clings to the walls. The sound effects are spot on with plenty of moans and snarls from the zombies, and some of the metal music has to be some of the best ever heard in this style of game. Nothing beats a killer metal song as you lay waste to your flesh-eating brethren.
All the cut scenes are done in real-time, so if you happen to change your character’s appearance, it will change in any cut-scene you appear in. I really like this feature; it adds a unique feel to the creepy Zombie atmosphere. The game is also divided into five chapters, and the first four chapters take place on the same day called Case Zero. The last chapter – chapter five – takes place on the second day.
Case Zero is an outstanding Xbox Live Arcade game that is a must-have for any fan of the series. I had so much fun playing Case Zero. If Dead Rising 2 is as good as Code Zero, we are in for a treat. My only gripe with Case Zero is the lack of time given to explore your enviornment; I wish you were given more time to explore without feeling rushed.
As of right now, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero is available for 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live, but this is a limited time offer. I suggest taking advantage of this offer now before the deal ends. But regardless of how much it costs, Case Zero is well worth it.
James ‘DaRipp3r’ Pittaro
Platform: Xbox 360 / XBL
Publisher / Developer: Capcom
DR2: Case Zero Link
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |  |
| The graphics are some of the best ever seen in a Dead Rising game. The environments are well designed and it truly feels like you are trapped in a zombie movie. | |
| Sound | |
| The sound effects are spot on; the zombies sound really good and the music really sets the mood | |
| Gameplay |  |
| Case Zero has a wonderful crafting system. Having the ability to use just about anything for a weapon is nothing short of amazing. I just didn’t like the feeling of being rushed and always watching the clock. | |
| Overall |  |
|---|---|
| Dead Rising 2: Case Zero is one of the best zombie games available today, especially for the price. Nothing can bring you zombie abuse on this level. You haven’t had this much fun since the first Dead Rising. | |
