As I exit the toy store, wearing a dress, my friend has already set about 12 R/C helicopters afloat. They're smacking – with satisfying gushes of gore – into the heads of any zombies who happen to stumble our way, and that's when we see them: the tricycles. The next 15 minutes are a bizarre combination of horror film and Benny Hill shtick, as we laugh our asses off into our headsets, pedaling around the macabre display.
That's just one experience I had playing "Dead Rising 2" co-op with a friend. Of course, it was always short-lived or awkward, thanks to the game's insistence that we continue the campaign when all we really wanted to do was goof off. According to Capcom, that all changes with the upcoming expansion, "Dead Rising 2: Off The Record."
According to Game Informer, Capcom has answered the prayers of all those who enjoy the absurd humor that is to be found throughout Venture City. Today at PAX, the company has announced that "Off The Record," a downloadable expansion pack for "Dead Rising 2," will bring back the sandbox mode featured in the original "Dead Rising."
"Off The Record" marks the return of photographer and protagonist Frank West, as the events which previously starred hero Chuck Greene are reworked with a slightly pudgier West in mind. There's a whole new story to be found, but honestly, all I've ever wanted from this franchise is to kill zombies in the most ludicrous way possible.
Sandbox mode allows for just that: zombie slaughter without time constraints, either solo, or in co-op. Capcom will also include some optional challenges to keep the action exciting, like challenging you with killing off a certain amount of undead, or maybe even to a drinking contest between you and a friend.
I think "Off The Record" just became a day-one purchase for me.