Zombies. The subject of many a horror film, their slow pace and grotesque appearance belies their ability to capture their victims, devouring their flesh until either nothing remains or they turn into the walking dead themselves. The originalDead Rising endeavoured to provide players with a game that carried the spirit of Dawn of the Dead, along with integrating an interesting play system that had players survive for 72 hours in the Willamette Mall.
It was unique at the time and, after what feels like an extended wait, its sequel
Dead Rising 2 is being released next month. Capcom and Blue Castle Software have been wise to make a prequel chapter to the upcoming game available for players to download from Xbox Live. It's called, in case you hadn't figured it out,
Case Zero. Does
Case Zero leave players salivating in anticipation of the full game? Read on to find out.
The chapter introduces the player to motocross superstar (and the game's protagonist) Chuck Greene. Through the opening cutscenes we learn that Chuck's daughter Katey has been bitten and has to be given regular injections of the medicine Zombrex, a serum that prevents zombiefication.
No sooner does Chuck pull up at a gas station in the town of Little Creek to refuel his pick-up truck than he encounters the walking dead, his ride gets hijacked and his daughter and he have to take shelter in the local junkyard safehouse next door. From here the player gains control as they attempt to find five separate parts of a partially built motorbike in order to repair it as a means for Chuck and his daughter to escape Little Creek. He's also going to need to give Katey her next Zombrex injection pretty soon...
Once players venture out of the junkyard they are free to roam the small town of Little Creek, choosing to either complete the chapter's objectives or just play around as they see fit. The left analogue stick is used to move Chuck around, the A button covers jumping with the X button being tapped for light strikes with weapons and held down for heavier and sometimes weapon-specific attacks.
The LT button can be used to target enemies for more accurate shots when holding guns or for throwing whatever weapon you have to hand, while the RT button also acts as an attack button when steadying Chuck's aim. The LB and RB buttons allow you to cycle through the items in your inventory and the Select button brings up a map of Little Creek that allows the player to see the different areas they can access, objectives to be fulfilled and also attach place markers in order to make Chuck's path to his next destination that little bit easier.
damion 28 Sep 2010 23:51