House of the Dead 2: Remake made me desire more of the rail-type shooters to be released. This classic arcade approach was a staple for many older gamers. Furthermore, the ridiculous stories, awful acting, and usually brutal gameplay made everything just a little amusing and very challenging. However, we have to wait for remakes, remasters, and anything in between to get our fill.
This arcade classic was developed by Megapixel Studio and published by Forever Entertainment. It is a single-player and couch cooperative experience. The latter is where this shines, but I adored the madness when going it alone. The visuals have had a nice polish, and the audio is as mental as always. Accordingly, it has that appealing modern and retro edge.
The House of the Dead 2: Remake tells a horrific story.
Zombies aren’t renowned for their friendly ways. No matter how much you try to converse with them, they want to munch on your brains. Unsurprisingly, this is exactly what happens in this remake. It tells the original story with pinpoint accuracy.
AMS agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart are deployed to deal with strange occurrences in a small town. It has been 2 years since the last incident, and the agents must use their skills if they are to stay alive and save the day.
Familiar action.
Although this does little to break the mould, I adore The House of the Dead 2: Remake. The clunky gameplay, hellish zombies, unfair odds, and mindless action were great. Furthermore, saving every person, finding every secret, and testing your accuracy was a blast.
This really excels when playing it with a friend. Challenging one another and defeating every monster was great. Additionally, it adds to the retro vibes.
This remake has 3 game modes to tackle. There is the classic story and arcade version of it. Both are very similar, and they don’t stray too far off the beaten track. The boss mode does exactly what it says on the tin. Finally, you can brush up on your skills in the tutorial mode. If you have played any game from this genre, none of these modes will surprise you. Consequently, this is perfect for veterans and newcomers.
The House of the Dead 2: Remake is delightfully rough.
The developer has done a nice job with the visuals. Although there is a bit of modern polish, it retains that dated appeal and rough edges. This was ideal as I’d have hated to see it pushed too far into the modern mindset. Instead, the hideous zombies, rough backdrops, and gory moments look incredible.
The audio is as ridiculous as ever! The acting is gloriously wooden, and the sound effects and music are as crass as always. The result is a loud and uncomfortable game that reminded me of my youth.
The ugly side of the game.
The House of the Dead 2: Remake is a pig to play. Despite all of the positives, the controls are pretty shite. This was disappointing as accuracy and quick reactions are everything. This may not be an issue with a mouse and keyboard, but a gamepad really suffers.
Replay value and longevity aren’t great either. Once you smash through the story and you’ve saved everyone, there is little reason to return. Yes, you can keep playing it with friends, but local-only gameplay reduces this appeal. Subsequently, replay value is sadly limited.
The House of the Dead 2: Remake is a great walk down memory lane.
The House of the Dead 2: Remake is a great game. However, its audience will be niche, and I’m not sure younger gamers will enjoy the madness. There is a reason this genre is dying, and unfortunately, this remake will feel the full force of current desires. Accordingly, it won’t be as popular as it should be, but I recommend buying it here! Can you complete your investigation and survive? Grab your gun, rescue everyone, and become a hero.
