DEAD RISING
Capcom, Xbox 360, $59.99
Since the first Resident Evil 10 years ago, Capcom has established itself as the veritable Romero of all things survival horror (read: zombie-filled). But where RE thrills by creating tense, spooked-out situations, Dead Rising oozes a Dawn of the Dead steez: All action with heavy doses of tongue-in-cheek camp. As hardnosed photojournalist Frank West, your task is to investigate the suburb of Willamette, which the government has inexplicably cordoned off. You find yourself at the local shopping center, which is teeming with brain-hungry undead (not just mall goths, apparently), along with pockets of survivors and miles of unbelievable savings. As you traverse the mall, you uncover what went down while defending yourself and others from scores of lumbering corpses and a few wacked-out living folks. A huge part of the game’s appeal is that almost anything in the mall (bowling balls, mannequins, guitars) can be used to splatter gooey zombie flesh from the food court to the parking lot; each weapon has a different feel and results in aesthetically pleasing dismemberment. In addition to optional side quests, Dead Rising also lets you unleash your inner paparazzo, catching zombies feasting on survivors and massive explosions on camera. While the main game isn’t altogether lengthy, it is a hell of a lot of fun; impressive visuals, open environments, and a playful wit establish Dead Rising as a welcome addition to Capcom’s ghoulish pedigree. Ryan Rayhill
www.capcom.com

Love: Hedge-clipper decapitations, power drill eviscerations, tube socks
Hate: A lean main quest, banned in Germany (WTF!)
Final Word: Chopping mall