Dead Rising 4 (v2018.01.31 & ALL DLC)

Willamette Mall turns Christmas shopping into a slapstick zombie apocalypse, with returning photojournalist Frank West back behind the camera and surrounded by absurdly inventive ways to kill the undead. Dead Rising 4 trades the series’ harsher survival pressure for a broad, chaotic sandbox packed with thousands of shambling targets, holiday decorations, military conspiracies, and Frank’s deliberately corny one-liners. The mood is gory but playful rather than frightening, built around the pleasure of turning everyday junk into crowd-clearing weapons. It is an action-adventure that treats a zombie outbreak less like a tragedy and more like an excuse to test how many monsters a lawnmower can mow down.

Frank searches the expanded Willamette setting for supplies, investigates the outbreak through case files and photographs, and tears through hordes with melee weapons, firearms, vehicles, and crafted combo gear. Nearly anything can become an implement of destruction, from a candy-cane launcher to electrified axes, while clothing options let players customize Frank’s look and stat bonuses. EXO Suits add a temporary power fantasy, allowing him to wield oversized weapons, smash through obstacles, and throw zombies around with superhero strength. The campaign removes the strict time limits associated with earlier entries, making side activities and scavenging more approachable, while a separate four-player co-op mode lets friends tackle missions and chase loot together.

What distinguishes Dead Rising 4 is its commitment to spectacle: dense crowds, ridiculous weapon ideas, festive mall carnage, and a world designed for constant improvisation. The photography system gives Frank optional opportunities to document bizarre scenes, and the extensive wardrobe and crafting systems encourage players to experiment instead of relying on one favorite loadout. Veterans may miss the series’ tense rescue management, demanding deadlines, and deeper survival structure, but newcomers benefit from the smoother pacing and more forgiving design. Anyone who enjoys the freeform mayhem of Saints Row, the zombie-slaying excess of Dead Rising 2, or a co-op action game that never takes itself seriously finds plenty to enjoy here.