Just like the title says, the DR2 seems to be nothing but the old game mechanics (with some much needed control remapping and tweaks) with a new skin. Just like most Capcom games the plot is utter nonsense and is generally not a big factor in the overall game-play. After 2 weeks of playing this game I came to the budding realization that paying a full 60 retail value for this revised game is a rip off.
When first starting this game most will have a blast for a few hours before the controls get familiar and stale. The stark reality is that the game plays exactly like the first where there is massive texts to ignore while saving stranded victims in a zombie filled mall. The levels are much larger and certain aspects have definitely been ripped from the first mall's architecture. Rescuing is still a pain arse and the timing well at least keep you from throwing down the controller but now every 24 hours you need to find a bottle of Zombrex to keep your daughter from becoming a zombie.
So what is new or fresh about this game? I can hardly tell apart from Chuck Green not having a camera which is replaced with combo cards. These cards can be acquired from leveling up to purchasing different weapons from shops or trial and error. As you keep leveling up you will get upgrades to your existing cards which can provide more exp per kill or allow more damage. That's pretty much it... the rest is all more than generous helping from the first game.
As Chuck keeps failing his missions at the start you will realize that you wont be able to do majority of the activities till you reach the half way point (lev 25) and that still wont do. For those that don't want to wait can spend more cash to get DLC contents which are special outfits that basically cheat your way through the game. Its clear the psychopaths are tweaked to be difficult till you get enough speed and health to take them on meaning you will probably not be able to complete a few missions on the first run through. The main story line has some excitement to it from time to time but majority is just a tedious slog through a zombie infested corridor till you encounter a boss.
Its terribly disappointing to see this game not make a stride in so long a gap and even worse when GI just contradicted itself by giving it a top score, especially after wasting several pages in magazine articles stating what a sequel should or shouldn't do which being not just being a bigger version of its predecessor. Nice one GI, I can tell you guys got sucked into some political bind where you cannot share the same perspective like you used to.
This review is a warning to all those that are expecting huge change from the original scope of the first game you will be terribly disappointed. It is clear that GI no longer has its own perspective bur rather is a lackey for the gaming companies to rein in suckers with money. Like a gossip girl GI seems to talk about companies behind their backs but kiss their feet when talking to. It also seems they tend to badmouth their previous games that they themselves were praising at the time.
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