Ever since the first screenshot of Dead Rising on Wii appeared, we all wondered whether the technically inferior console could render the same number of flesh-eating zombies as the 360 version.
The quick answer is 'no'. But while Chop Till You Drop does manage to retain much of the same gameplay mechanics (the mall, zombies, missions etc.), it fails to push the Wii hardware anywhere near its potential.
It's no secret that Wii's little microchips don't pump out as much polygonal power as the beefier Microsoft console. And we expected a downgrade in visual quality. Slightly fewer zombies too. But otherwise we expected the same game we first played two years ago.
Chop Till You Drop, however, under-performs not just in comparison to the 360 game, but even compared to other Wii games. It feels rushed, cheapened and does the console an injustice in just about every way.
The Wii version appears to have been softened since its 360 debut - but not in the wisest of ways. For example, the first boss on 360 was a battle of wits, as the guy you're trying to shoot skips from one shop rooftop to another, staying behind cover while trying to give you the slip.
In the Wii version he just runs around at ground level, stopping now and then to take a few shockingly inaccurate shots at you, while you stand right next him and blast bullets into his face. He's dead within moments and you needn't use any strategy.
The zombie hordes of the 360 version adhered to the traditional principles of zombies - they only pose a threat in numbers. This, of course, goes out the window with a greatly reduced zombie count.
The buzz of entering the mall area with a sea of zombies and the challenge of plotting your route through certain shops, grabbing anything to hand with which to defend yourself, was what made the original worth playing. Now you just skip past the dozen-or-so zombies in your way, waggling the Remote to break free if one grabs you.
Capcom's made up for the lack of zombies by streamlining your path through the mall with stupid impassable strips of red tape that block off certain areas, forcing you to follow a more linear path , usually towards the zombies. For me it ruined the sense of freedom and diversity you had before. You can't just smash through shop windows, walk through pools of water or climb ledges. It's invisible wall hell.
Ammo (which appears where killed zombies fade away) is plentiful too. So using different objects as weapons is no-longer necessary. This isn't what Dead Rising was about.
To offset the now not-so-threatening zombies, the game has been bolstered with an infinite supply of ravenous poodles and parrots - because that makes perfect sense - that are faster-moving and harder to shoot.
These annoying additions somehow strafe bullets, too. How does that make sense? If human zombies are too stupid to dodge bullets, how come dog and parrot zombies have increased intelligence?
But it's not just the zombie count that appears to have gone to the pits due to the technical downgrade. The physics on the zombies are poor - there's little impact when you clobber them. Running them down with the lawnmower isn't fun anymore.
The game takes ages to load different areas, even if that area is a single, empty, pointless room. The cutscenes look so blurry it's offensive, and we're pretty sure there are sharper textures in GoldenEye 007 on N64 than on some surfaces in this.
It doesn't do the Wii justice at all. Not even in the control stakes. You can clobber zombies with objects by swinging the Remote, but it doesn't always work and the swing takes ages to happen in the game. You hold B - the trigger-like button on the Remote - to aim, and A to shoot. Erm...
And to interact with objects and people, and open doors you have to hit A on the Remote and Z on the Nunchuk together. Why they chose such an awkward combination of buttons is beyond us.
It's a real shame because, even on the less powerful Wii, this could and should have been a lot better than it is. You'll still enjoy it if you can't get enough zombie shooting in your life.
Even if the 360 version didn't exist, Chop Till You Drop still underperforms and underdelivers in almost every area. If you had high hopes, lower them and you just might see past its faults.
Not wanting to sound like an obvious naysayer, but I expected this to be poo.
I'm 100% with you on that one.
Don't get me wrong - I actually really like the Wii and have a fairly sizeable collection of Wii games that I've enjoyed....but, the idea of this version just sounded uninspired and disappointing.
I couldn't really get on with the 360 version - the save system just drained the interest I had in it pretty quickly - but, they could have put out a half decent version of that (with the save system issue resolved) for the Wii, I'm sure....albeit with some graphical compromises. Despite the fact that I could never get on with the save system, I could definitely see that it was a great game - loved the gameplay and story....what I experienced of it (would have loved to have got that Mega-Man suit I've seen in screenshots!).
Ah well - at least there's Dead Rising 2 coming, huh?
That's too bad - I really enjoyed the 360 version (save system and everything) and was looking forward to the wii version until I saw some awful looking screenshots way before this review. First a rubbish Resident Evil 5 demo, then a capcom exec remark about "going to completely reboot RE6" - before RE5 even gets to hit the shops...- and now this steaming pile of crap of a game... Not good, Capcom...
Thank god for a sensible review that shows the game for what it truly is, an shovelware RE4 clone. There is no reason why it couldn't have been the definitive version of the game if actual effort was applied.
Capcom are trying really hard to fail on the Wii bless them.
If Capcom are testing the waters to see if 'hardcore' games sell on Wii, then they're going about it in the wrong way. Release quality, regardless of genre, and I might take notice.
The sad truth is, they'll probably take one look at the low sales for this game and assume that there isn't a market for core titles on Wii. It's a no-win situation for us.
Build something exclusive and from the ground-up for Wii, such as MadWorld, and the consumer will recognise the effort put in.
There are some great games out on Wii this year, but unfortunately some companies, such as Capcom, are still trying to cash in on the Wii's popularity whilst simultaneously spending as little development cash as possible.
Thing is, the main selling point for me was the masses of undead which are always within arms reach.
Thats half of the reason why old zombie flms are great with traditional "shufflers", its the constant terror of being overwhelmed. If you remove that from the game, THEN reduce the weapons available, THEN hinder the graphical output (because of bad programming, not the wii, which is a capable piece of kit), you've got a complete steaming pile of monkey spooge. Still, roll on Dead Space prequel, which looks taaaaasty.
That was a fair review i'd say. a little harsh in places because i didn't think the graphics were that bed.
Its alright for what it is. Granted its not a scratch on the original but at least they sorted the save system.
What most people seem to be forgetting is that capcom up untill this point have been one of the few companies to actually get it right on the wii.
The reason they ported Dead Riasing was because of the success of Resi 4, which looked and played fantastically and is definately the definitive version of the game.
Zack and Wiki has already been mentioned too but is definatly worth playing if you can find a copy as its one of the best adventure games i've played in years and they really nailed what the wii is good at stylisitically and control wise.
The final CApcom Game which will never get released over here but if you've still got a working copy of freeloader is something you have to play is Tatsunoko Vs Capcom. If you loved any of the previous Vs games this is a real treat. Fast paced fun and great to look at. If you want a break from SF IV its well worth checking out.
In short, when capcom try they make brilliant games and the fact they have given the wii support from the get go makes me hopeful that they will produce more quality titles for the machine. Just think a little bit more about what you're trying to port next time!!
If only they had used the Resi 4 engine to do a Re-make of Resident Evil 2. With Wii specific visuals and textures that would surpass even the great RE4! They would of had another sure-fire winner on their hands, and done well it would have probably out shone even RE5 and sold a few more Wii consoles in the process.
When I heard the Wii version of Dead Rising had removed the whole photography mode, alarm bells rang.
Its a game where you play as an investigative journalist who can't take photos... that makes no sense! Wasn't that the whole point of the story, that he went in to document events and his survival and rescue of others was secondary to that plot! Madness!
That was a fair review i'd say. a little harsh in places because i didn't think the graphics were that bed.
Its alright for what it is. Granted its not a scratch on the original but at least they sorted the save system.
What most people seem to be forgetting is that capcom up untill this point have been one of the few companies to actually get it right on the wii.
The reason they ported Dead Riasing was because of the success of Resi 4, which looked and played fantastically and is definately the definitive version of the game.
Zack and Wiki has already been mentioned too but is definatly worth playing if you can find a copy as its one of the best adventure games i've played in years and they really nailed what the wii is good at stylisitically and control wise.
The final CApcom Game which will never get released over here but if you've still got a working copy of freeloader is something you have to play is Tatsunoko Vs Capcom. If you loved any of the previous Vs games this is a real treat. Fast paced fun and great to look at. If you want a break from SF IV its well worth checking out.
In short, when capcom try they make brilliant games and the fact they have given the wii support from the get go makes me hopeful that they will produce more quality titles for the machine. Just think a little bit more about what you're trying to port next time!!
I think Capcoms Wii support is very overrated to be honest, and they seem to succeed in pulling the wool over everyones eyes.
Zak & Wiki is a good game (personally I prefer Boom Blox) but it was possibly the most niche thing they could come up with, the presentation doesn't fit the game and it wasn't marketed.
TvC was just doomed to fail.
The rest of their games are either ports or lazy efforts, like this one. Take a look at Umbrella Chronicles, the game heavily borrows assets from the Gamecube Resident Evil games, which is the real reason why RE2 wasn't represented in the game. Even after it sold a million, they don't care.
guessing you haven't actually played TvC then. Best fighter on the console and the arcade machines were built using a board based on the wii. Its a perfect arcade port because it was built from the ground up for the amchine in every respect. Hardly the actions of a company that doesn't care about the platform. Hopefully it'll get a realease outside of japan and last i heard they were trying to.
The reason they didn't use resi 2 in umbrella chronicles is obvious. It didn't fit. The game followed the stars team and if i remember correctly resi 2 doesn't feature any of them. (alive anyway).
Rumours are still abound of a wiimake of resi 2 and considering capcom have rereleased resi 0 and the remake with tweaked controls on the wii in japan i wouldn't be surprised if it was in the works.
Zack and Wiki's visuals were off the wall and cartoony which fit the game perfectly. They are also incredibly colourful and vibrant. something the wii si good at doing even with its limited graphical grunt compared to the competition. The wii's always been doing stuff thats a little kitch and interesting.
If you want a machine thats just littered with dull shooters and racing games go buy a PS3, your not going to find what you want on the wii and long may it stay that way.
guessing you haven't actually played TvC then. Best fighter on the console and the arcade machines were built using a board based on the wii. Its a perfect arcade port because it was built from the ground up for the amchine in every respect. Hardly the actions of a company that doesn't care about the platform. Hopefully it'll get a realease outside of japan and last i heard they were trying to.
TvC is a good game, not a patch on Brawl though from what I've seen of gameplay footage and impressions. The fact is the game was made as unmarketable as possible by Capcom which means there is little chance of us getting it for a while, if at all. A game that didn't even do all that well in Japan doesn't change anything.
The reason they didn't use resi 2 in umbrella chronicles is obvious. It didn't fit. The game followed the stars team and if i remember correctly resi 2 doesn't feature any of them. (alive anyway).
So? Billy and Ada aren't exactly STAR members either, so that isn't an excuse. That doesn't explain how most of the game is made with recycled assets now does it.
Rumours are still abound of a wiimake of resi 2 and considering capcom have rereleased resi 0 and the remake with tweaked controls on the wii in japan i wouldn't be surprised if it was in the works.
Rumors only go so far. As for the ports, they cost Capcom nothing to put out and they are still old games.
Zack and Wiki's visuals were off the wall and cartoony which fit the game perfectly. They are also incredibly colourful and vibrant. something the wii si good at doing even with its limited graphical grunt compared to the competition. The wii's always been doing stuff thats a little kitch and interesting.
Zak & Wiki did have some good visuals, but they were childish. Many people would turn their noses at such a style even though the game is quite complex, and no child is going to have fun with the game that hard for long lets face it. The game wasn't even marketed very well.
If you want a machine thats just littered with dull shooters and racing games go buy a PS3, your not going to find what you want on the wii and long may it stay that way.
I want a machine with a wide variety of software, and the Wii deserves to be taken seriously. There were plenty of great looking realistic games last generation, so why should the Wii be limited in that respect?
Ok, I'll hold my hands up and take back what I said previously about Capcom. I've just remembered that they're releasing Monster Hunter 3 on Wii.
I'd hold off on the celebrations for now, but the game does look good.
Who the hell said I was celebrating?! As for variety, the Wii pretty much has all genres covered but I agree that we could use more third-party quality. That will come this year.
As for Zack and Wiki's visuals, I absolutely loved them and I'm 35. Just because a game is colourful and 'cartoonish', it doesn't mean that it cannot be enjoyed by everyone, or that the title is lacking in depth and challenge.
It's hardly Zack and Wiki's fault that the average FPS obsessed teenager can't see further than generic grey-brown realism, as if that's the only way that gaming can be deemed 'mature'.
WHERESMYMONKEY got it spot on. I love the Wii's off-centre take on gaming, and that includes its kooky, colourful visuals. If you're looking for something generic, go and buy a PS3 and play Killzone 2.
well im glad i didnt buy this yesterday from asda! its only 22.71 in there so thought it was a bargain, but wanted to read a review, used the internet on my phone and immediately put it down. i didnt expect it to be like the x box 360 version, which i dont have a 360 any more, but i thought it would be just under par, not stupidly under par. ah well. cant win them all! not impressed with the number of games that seem good on paper and then when released, are shockingly sub zero!
we dont wanna pay £30+ plus for a game that is not up to scratch!
If only they had used the Resi 4 engine to do a Re-make of Resident Evil 2. With Wii specific visuals and textures that would surpass even the great RE4! They would of had another sure-fire winner on their hands, and done well it would have probably out shone even RE5 and sold a few more Wii consoles in the process.
When I heard the Wii version of Dead Rising had removed the whole photography mode, alarm bells rang.
Its a game where you play as an investigative journalist who can't take photos... that makes no sense! Wasn't that the whole point of the story, that he went in to document events and his survival and rescue of others was secondary to that plot! Madness!
What was the point of taking pictures never bothered when had for the 360 glad they took it out might pick this up soon was to hard on 360 at least theres more ammo on this one.
You've really overrated this. You do nothing but criticise a game for the whole review, and yet still end up giving it a 5/10? So it's an average game? I think not.
Why don't you have the balls to use the full range of scores available to you. This is a 2/10 game, if that.
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