Play it if
You want a funny, chaotic zombie sandbox with a ticking clock.
Skip it if
You want co-op or a serious horror story.
Exhibit label
- Players
- Single-player
- Online co-op
- No
- Cross-play
- No
- Solo
- Single-player only
- Voice chat
- Not needed
- Threat level
- Uneasy
- Survival time
- ~20 hours
1The outbreak
Frank West flies into Willamette, Colorado, for a scoop and lands on the roof of a mall just as the outbreak hits. A helicopter will return in three days.
2How you survive
A clock always runs: you choose which survivors to rescue, which cases to follow and how to spend your time. Benches, guitars, lawnmowers and much more become weapons. Clothes and photography add to the fun.
3Alone or together
It is single-player only.
4Look & sound
The remaster rebuilds the visuals on a modern engine while keeping the tone. It is silly, sometimes tense, and very memorable.
5Setup & value
It lists at $49.99 and runs on Windows. Steam lists it as Playable on Steam Deck. The remaster adds quality-of-life options such as auto save.
Best bits
- Huge freedom inside one location
- Hilarious weapon variety
- Smart time pressure
Watch out
- Time limit is stressful for some
- Single-player only
Score sheet
- Survival feel 25%
- 82
- Gameplay 25%
- 90
- Easy to start 15%
- 86
- Replay 20%
- 85
- Value 15%
- 82
82 × 25% + 90 × 25% + 86 × 15% + 85 × 20% + 82 × 15% = 85.20 → 85
Curator's verdict
Verdict
“Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster brings a cult classic back in great shape. It is the most fun you can have in a zombie-filled mall.”
By the Zombie Game Guide editorial desk · Updated 8 Oct 2026 · How we score · Report an error
