Introduction

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into your living room, The House of the Dead: Remake has crashed through your TV screen like a drunk raccoon at a dumpster party. A classic from the 90s, it promises to revive your love for shooting zombies... or at least provide a good laugh as you miss every shot. Grab your controller – or move controller – or however you're supposed to shoot these undead dudes, because it’s time to reminisce about those glorious days of light-gun shooters.

Gameplay

At its core, this remake is a rail shooter where you’ll point and shoot at a swarming horde of zombies most likely fueled by a bad catering choice at Curien Mansion's last party. As agents Thomas Rogan and ‘G’ (you know, classic pulp names) bust through the mansion’s doors, you will be faced with the age-old question: “Should I save that civilian or just let them turn into zombie chow?” Spoiler alert: Choosing to save your fellow humans gives you health bonuses because nothing says ‘hero’ like leaving them to be devoured while you rack up points. Sure, the players can earn extra points for headshots, but who are we kidding? Everyone is going to blast away like a toddler who just discovered the shampoo bottle in the supermarket. Reloading is as simple as shooting the wall, which seems like an odd life choice but hey, it lets you conserve bullets like a sensible shooter. Along the way, you’ll face tough choices that make you reconsider your moral compass. Choices like do you save the hot chick or do you save yourself from the impending doom of more zombies? The remake has sprinkled in various gameplay elements, including some scenarios that change depending on your actions (or lack thereof). Oh, and let’s not forget those pathogen-riddled ‘experiments’ - because what’s a zombie game without mildly horrific creations? The way the plot unfolds - with a degree of unexpected twists - feels like a bad horror movie that you still can’t help but watch, just until the end.

Graphics

The visuals are spruced up from their pixelated glory days, offering a prettier yet eerily campy aesthetic. Think of it as someone took that worn-out shirt from your closet and upgraded it with cheesier graphics. The character designs may not win any beauty contests but they tackle that low-budget charm head-on. Some textures pop out quite nicely, while others look like they’ve butted heads with budget constraints. So, it’s a treat for your eyes, just not in the traditional ‘wow’ way. It compensates for nostalgia with a more vibrant color palette and detailed backgrounds for those moments when you stop shooting to soak in the ambiance instead.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever dreamed of gloriously blasting away hordes of zombies in a ridiculously humorous and utterly chaotic atmosphere, The House of the Dead: Remake on PS4 is your ticket. It may not redefine the horror shooter genre, but it serves its purpose as a chuckle-inducing experience that reminds us just how fun it can be to shoot at pixels transformed into walking corpses. Sure, the controls may not be perfect, the graphics may invite a few chuckles, and let's face it, you’re probably going to faceplant into a wall a few times while trying to dodge zombies. But for a wild ride drenched in humor and nostalgia, pulling the trigger on The House of the Dead is a trip worth taking. Just remember: shoot first, ask questions later (or not at all).

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