If you’ve been wondering why Frank West’s voice sounds different in Useless Rising: Deluxe Remaster, it’s because the game features a significant amount of newly recorded dialogue, including an entirely new voice actor for Frank West.
While The Unique Useless Rising was indeed a phenomenon of its era. By 2006, video games were transitioning towards even more cinematic experiences, but they still retained many of the familiar tropes, hallmarks, and structural constraints of their predecessors, as developers grew accustomed to working with high-definition content, cinematic presentation, and increased processing power and storage capabilities. Due to these limitations, the game’s storytelling suffered, featuring iconic fully-voiced cutscenes alongside an abundance of in-game text boxes containing lengthy dialogue passages that failed to engage players effectively.
Within the latest remastered version of the sport, boasting a “Deluxe” label that lives up to its promise with an impressive array of additions and enhancements. The entire endeavour ultimately occupies a peculiar middle ground, hovering uncertainly between faithful reimaginings of the original and a true reinvigoration of its essence. While seemingly a mere remaster, this game’s revival is actually a transformative overhaul, injecting the original 2006 experience with potent new energy, rendering it effectively a remake in all but name. Despite its 2016 remastering, the issue with Useless Rising remains unchanged.
The recently released Deluxe Remaster of Anyhow features a plethora of fresh voice acting performances. The once-text-based dialogue is now complemented by accompanying voiceovers and subtitles, further enhanced by Otis’ frequent phone calls to Frank, keeping him informed about various happenings within the mall. The addition of Otis’ timely commentary is indeed a welcome quality-of-life improvement, as his usual penchant for interrupting critical moments with important information has been alleviated; instead, his voice now cuts through even the most intense boss battles, ensuring that players remain informed and engaged.
On various occasions, it effortlessly creates a refreshing ambiance that satisfies guests’ needs. Among the first signs of life, you discover two Japanese tourists struggling to stay alive. As I enter the remastered space, I eavesdrop on their hushed conversation, the melodic cadence of Japanese words lingering in the air, long before I lay eyes on them. This encounter presents a puzzling conundrum: you cannot recruit these survivors for rescue until you obtain a Japanese phrasebook item from a bookstore. When introducing the merchandise, Frank’s new voice actor awkwardly attempts to read from the e-book in a staccato, broken Japanese tone that only serves to further embarrass him.
The instant survivors become an integral part of your experience, you’re treated to a surprising bonus: a snippet of immersive RPG-style banter, reminiscent of the engaging dialogue found in games like Dragon’s Dogma. As you explore the vast open world of Gransys in Dragon’s Dogma, your trusty pawn companions often offer insightful comments and helpful tips to guide you through the journey. In Useless Rising: Deluxe Remaster, Frank’s accompanying survivors behave identically.
This phenomenon exhibits itself in several intriguing ways. Each survivor features a distinct voice actor, accompanied by a unique set of loot items that fall as you explore the environment. The ambient dialogue is seamlessly integrated into the motion, receiving a dedicated subtitle window on the right side of the display.
You may be directed to a specific location within the mall that offers valuable guidance – such as being pointed towards the gun store’s exact location. On various occasions, players may stumble upon hidden items within their surroundings, such as a PP Sticker, which can be captured through photography to earn additional experience points. When a notable landmark appears on the horizon, it’s instantly flagged on your in-game map, much like in Dragon’s Dogma. As one of the few survivors, she implored me to capture her likeness on camera, her eyes locking onto mine with a sense of urgency and desperation, as if this might be her last chance to preserve her image forever.
Given the similarities between the games, it’s no surprise to find commonalities in their development processes; after all, both are built on Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine, which powers other notable titles like Devil May Cry 5 and Resident Evil Village. Still, I’m curious about the potential for shared code or assets between these games – especially considering the close proximity of their release dates. The fascinating prospect of observing the dissemination of chat among all survivors, as well as the recommendations that are earmarked for specific individuals. While introducing this element might revolutionize the survivor economy, it could also create a dynamic where certain characters become more valuable in the short-lived world of Dead Rising – an intriguing wrinkle that adds complexity to the game’s time management mechanics.
Don’t get me wrong – unlike in Dragon’s Dogma, the constant chatter can become surprisingly engaging and varied as the game unfolds. Despite the limited interaction I’ve had with DRDR thus far, I still maintain a sense of admiration for it. As a devoted fan of the Useless Rising franchise, I’m intimately familiar with my route around Willamette Mall, but for newcomers or those struggling with foggy memories, these tips will prove genuinely helpful. This innovative technology also seamlessly integrates AI-powered enhancements to breathe unprecedented realism into the rescued survivors, rendering them more human-like and far less robotic in their actions.
Despite the efforts to clarify, the reason behind TJ Rotolo’s exclusion remains unexplained. Frank’s new voice actor brings a charming, natural flair to the role, but some fans may still nostalgically yearn for the unique inflections and tone that Rotolo brought to the character. The prospect of fresh innovations promises to alleviate that sense of emptiness.
Useless Rising: Deluxe Remaster is set to debut on September 19, with its release scheduled for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms.
