Difficulty:

Very Hard

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Broken"

Dead Rising is undeniable proof that Japanese developers are behind the times. The game gets so much right with the game play, setting, humor, and overall pulp entertainment value, but then turns around and slaps you in the face with a save system that is right out of 1990. This fundamental design flaw ruined my experience and trust me, I was LOVING this game. Let's face it: In 2011, a bad save system is unacceptable. Hell, it was unacceptable in 06 when it came out! Broken isn't a strong enough word to encapsulate the frustration and anger that sets in after playing missions OVER and OVER again. Dead Rising is about laying the smackdown on zombies and getting out of sticky situations in a mall -- that's friggin' awesome. But then the underlying, baffling design decision to end all design decisions flushes all your fun down the toilet. I shouldn't have to worry about running back to save points to preserve my random strokes of good luck and story progressions. Dead Rising is flat-out masochistic and loses its old-school charm real quick. Hardcore players and self-loathers need only apply. How Gamespot gave this an 8.4 with a straight face is downright laughable.