Beastly Bash: Dead Rising 2 (with Off-the-Record) : Crossing Dressing with the Dead [Spoilers!]

Just to set the record, Dead Rising 1 did not age well. While it was fun at the time, it would be recommended just to watch about the first game just to catch up to what happen, which I will spoil somewhat. And about Dead Rising 3, personally, the game has lost it's identity to the point that the game ended up becoming bland and the game was not ported too well on the PC. In the end, Dead Rising 2 is the best of the series, and with the lastest update on Steam to remove the gutted Windows Live that died of late, now would be the perfect time for a retro-review of the Zombie smashing hit.

We start off as Either Chuck Green, or non-canonically, Frank West in Off-the-Record. Both characters compete in the show Terror Is Reality for money to afford Zombrex, a drug that prevents the infected from becoming  Zombies. The infection is caused by either Zombie bites like Katie's or from being stinged  by one of the many queens used to the incident 2 years ago in the game. Just when things seem normal, Frank finds something fishy going in the background while Chuck runs off to get his daughter. All the sudden, an explosion happens and an outbreak occurs! After escaping, depending on which of the two games, Either Chuck or Stacy will be framed for the incident and it's up to the player to find the truth and stop whoever's behind the incident.

In terms of gameplay, the game is still the same, but the controls aren't as clunky as everything gameplay-wise has been refined from the last game as the characters run more straight and narrow than before. While the AI is not as stupid as before, they still are somewhat slow. However, that is easily remedied as they have UNLIMITED AMMO with shotguns and hand guns. Just make note that in Off-The-Record that the AI is worst as they are actually worst as not only they get locked by Zombies, but their Health drains, making them weaker than in the normal game! Keep close if playing the spin-off game.

One of the biggest features of the game, besides dressing the character for a comical effect, is the psychopaths, human turned enemies thanks because of their sanity snapped like twigs within their minds. You do get three new bosses in Off-The-Record, but the story remains the same. Beware, as most of the bosses are challenging and can easily butcher lower levels. This goes into an annoying pet-peeve of the game: While restarting the game dose help at times of low levels, it makes replaying the game somewhat a forced obligation.

The biggest addition of the game if the crafting system, as Chuck or Frank can combine weapons to make even bigger and better weapons. While most weapons are just for looks and humor, the other half is very useful for zombies and psychopaths that are within the game. Sadly, the player will often use few of the weapons are most wouldn't be as helpful as the ones the players usually stick with. For example, mixing the axe and hammer together makes a great weapon that pulverizes zombies with one jump attack or make a spiked bat to clear a way to pass by.

In summery, I would have to recommend getting Dead Rising 2 over Off-the-Record as the game should have been an add-on than a stand-alone game. Its an issue within the game industry as this is a habit that occurs more often than it should happen. However, if anyone likes Frank west for being a love-to-hate character, get Off-the-Record if fan of the "character." Oh, and avoid Dead Rising 3. It's just not a colorful game that gamers once loved. Sorry...

Beastlt Byte: Midle Earth: Shadows of Maldor!

Well, since it's the start of summer, it means it is already the start of the summer drouth. However, it has been raining a lot of late, so it's not THAT kind of drouth. Instead,  this is the part of the year where game, both Triple A and indie usually slows down to a crawl. This would be the best time to review something that was either missed or, in my case, something I couldn't afford and/or that was limited to WB-Games being a total dick to independent reviewers and critics alike. Thankfully, this has finally lifted. Still a shady practice, WB!

So...How is the game?

Pros!
- This game mixes Assassin's Creed with the Arkam Games' gameplay
- Two main areas that is big, but not over-whelming
- The Nemesis system make failure critical as the Oorcs can be promoted, even to War-cheffs
- The runes and upgrades help make the player powerful
- TONS of side activities which fits and can benefit the main compain
-  Branding adds tactics as the play can have sleeper agents in the field
- Help the sleepers by fighting their rivals and climb up the chain

However, I can see WHY the reviews where limited the reviews (besides money) because...

Cons!
- The game gets too easy in the end as upgrades make players feel Over-Powered
- The Add-on campaign starts you full powered, killing the challenge
- The game is locked at 30-40 Frames per secant, making it awkward
- Worst of all, Quick-time final boss, which is under-whelming
- The game is somewhat of a pain to complete

Rating: C

The game has a great start, but as soon as branding comes in play, the game became easier unless someone die alot. While it dose easily defeats Assasin's creed, it's not as long, which is fine.  If anyone was hoping for a total fusion, it's more of a Cheese and peanut-butter cracker snack. It's good, but it's not as filling as most (but one) Arkam games.  If anyone is hungry for batman, this will hold up until the final game of the series. However, I DO NOT recommend this game at full price due to it's short story missions compared to past WB games. The add on also are nice, but they end anti-climatically as well. Wait until the steam sales.