Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Critic Reviews

You might chafe a bit at having to pay for it -- I'd much rather have seen this as part of some sort of pre-order deal -- but you can't argue that Case Zero is not only an effective way to set the stage and build anticipation, it's also a meaty, satisfying slice of the zombie apocalypse.

A ridiculously generous standalone game, bursting with unique content.

While Dead Rising 2: Case Zero could be considered a glorified demo, with its level progression capped at only five and the ability to carry over character stats to the full game, it is exactly what it set out to be. It's a pint size version of Dead Rising 2 to give people a taste of what the sequel will be along with a little back story.

Overall, the game is a solid taste of things to come and if the final game sticks the landing, then we're all in for a good zombie-killing time.

Dead Rising 2: Case Zero gives Xbox 360 players a glimpse of what to expect from Dead Rising 2 and after playing it, Dead Rising 2 is looking really interesting so far!

It seems a bit odd still that this is an XBLA title, though for 400 Microsoft points, Achievements and a prequel to the sequel, this is most certainly worth the extra change and will provide countless hours of entertainment in zombie slaying and re-playability.

That said, if you're a fan of this franchise who plans on buying the sequel, there's plenty here to sink your chainsaw-outfitted kayak paddle into. And, at just five bucks, the dead zombie to dollar ratio can't be beat, especially in this economy.

Case Zero throws on a fresh coat of paint, brings survivors you don't want to strangle, and lets you murder zombies with a pitchfork strapped to a shotgun. It's a lot of fun.

This game is a little gem in the XBLA catalogue. A must have title especially for those who are planning to buy the sequel.

An odd proposition. It straddles the line between being a standalone experience and a demo of its big brother, Dead Rising 2. The fact that it does both things so effectively is one of the bigger surprises of the year.

Bottom line here is that not only has Capcom and Blue Castle Games delivered a quality game but they've done it at an incredible value that can be enjoyed not only by fans of the game, but those on the fence about picking up Dead Rising 2.

We love the new ability to craft an extreme weapon out of a couple of items: you can sample a handful of the full game's countless possibilities - including a Spiked Bat (baseball bat + nails) and head-pulping Drill Bucket (bucket + electric drill) - and discovering new combos and unleashing gonzo gear like the Air Horn (pylon + spray paint) is a blast.

Looking past the demo complaint, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero is more like a pre-release DLC, helping to bridge the gap between the two main installments with an enthralling story, and provides enough zombie skull-bashing that'll keep even the most sadistic of us pleased for hours to come.

An addictive, fun and replayable experience that will make you circle September 28th on every calendar around the house. If you were waiting for Dead Rising 2, Case Zero is a must have. If not, it may make you change your mind.

Though the game's identity seems to be caught somewhere between a demo on steroids and a pint-sized full game, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero finds the perfect balance with its immensely cheap price tag with a surprisingly large amount of content.

It should provide answers about the sequel to those who with mixed feelings about the original, and provide a nice mid-meal-snack for hardcore fans that can't wait for the full sequel. For everyone else, it's a gory, thrilling zombie massacre that costs less than lunch at Wendy's, and it's well worth picking up.

Its fun, it'll help you pass some time while you wait for the game, and it does a solid job of introducing the new character and new weapon system, without giving too much away prior to DR2's release.

With hours of gameplay, loads of weapons and a brand new city to explore, Case Zero is a no-brainer at five dollars. Mmm brains!

Case Zero is an effective tie-in that enticed me to pay attention to a game I had little to no anticipation for, and introduced elements I want to explore further once Dead Rising 2 lands.

The improvement, polish and few additions made make this a must for any Dead Rising fan. It's only 400 MS Points and it may seem like a glorified demo but there is more than enough content here that it could pass as a standalone game which, with its prologue like story and an entirely separate world, it might as well be.