THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake Review

The Curien Mansion opens its doors once again with the release of MegaPixel Studio and Forever Entertainment’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake. 90s kids are no doubt familiar with its shambling undead, but should the past stay buried?

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake Review

With roots dating back to the arcade and SEGA Saturn, the plot in THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is only deep enough to get the job done. As Thomas Rogan or Agent G, players must take down zombies, frogs, and things that go bump in the night as they set out to stop Dr. Curien and his evil plot.

However, there is one thing that’ll give these two an edge: some good ol’ fashioned firepower. This lightgun shooter gives players unlimited ammo as they shoot down threats, reloading when bullets start to run low. Shoot for the weak point, shoot fast, and try to make it out alive. Oh, and try to save the scientist hostages if you can.

It’s not a terribly deep title; one can polish it off in around 40 minutes. However, there are a few things to keep players blasting away. Alternate paths, multiple endings, and the chance to pick up some fine weaponry (including our favorite, the grenade launcher) exist. Still, this title appeals to a very specific type of player, so make sure to temper your expectations if you’re looking for something meatier. There is a horde mode, an in-game achievement system, and a gallery with unlockable monsters, but don’t expect a major epic.

The original was a classic for a reason, but the team couldn’t quite nail the same feeling on the Nintendo Switch. It’s not for a lack of trying; control schemes include a single Joy-Con mode, the ability to aim with the left or right analog stick, or even use the system’s gyroscope capabilities. However, nothing quite compares to the feeling of a lightgun, making the whole experience feel a bit lost in translation.

Unfortunately, this proves to not be the biggest sin of THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake; its overall presentation proves to be a pale imitation of the original. For one, the overhauled graphics are a significant downgrade; the low poly look of the 1996 original had its charm, but the remake strips any and all personality from the proceedings.

There was a serious lack of effort put into its presentation. The brown, washed out look, early Xbox 360 Unity asset characters, and pop in make the title feel more like an undergrad project than a remake of a classic. There’s even long loading times, something that a fast-paced action title should never, ever do. Even the music has been changed to something more akin to a funky mix you’d hear at a Spirit Halloween store – an odd choice.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is an absolute disservice to the light gun classic. From the pop in to the loading times to the broken control scheme, this re-release would make even Dr. Curien cower in fear.

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