While Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster won't be bringing back the original Frank West, TJ Rotolo, it will apparently be bringing back the original licensed tracks. That includes Lifeseeker's iconic "Gone Guru" and Lockjaw's "Bored Again," among others. It's an awesome development for Dead Rising fans, as just one day ago, Lifeseeker's Marc Lariviere admitted that he had no clue if the track would appear in the game, as like Rotolo, Capcom hadn't reached out to the group.
The news of Dead Rising's licensed tracks returning comes by way of VG247. In a new report published Monday, a Capcom Spokesperson confirmed to the site that “licensed music is returning” for the Deluxe Remaster. That means that come September when Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster arrives, it'll still retain the original's licensed musical moments within a modern coat of paint.
Dead Rising's Licensed Music Is An Integral Part Of The Game
Much like Goldfinger's "Superman" and Papa Roach's "Blood Brothers" are integral parts of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater experience, so are the various licensed songs for Dead Rising. It's not simply a case of a licensed song being used in a hype video or accompanying trailer, like Eminem's "Till I Collapse" being used in the leadup to the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Rather, the licensed music is deeply embedded in the fabric of the game's entire experience.
For example, Lifeseeker's "Gone Guru" blares out as Frank West encounters the Convicts in Leisure Park. The track helped make the Convicts an iconic villain while also separating Dead Rising from the pack. Anything other than "Gone Guru" playing during that sequence would feel out of place.
Elsewhere, "Bored Again" riffs through your speakers as Frank does battle with Sean, the cult leader. It helps take what, on paper, is a standard boss fight and transforms it into a cathartic experience. And much like "Gone Guru," the game would feel out of place with anything different in its place.
It's no secret that licensing can be an absolute pain when it comes to video games. It's part of the reason why the classic Transformers games of old aren't available for purchase (though that might change), and why Forza Horizon 4 is leaving storefronts. It's an expensive endeavor filled with multiple legal loopholes, but for better or worse, licensing, whether it be music, vehicles or something else entirely, is what helps make games stand out. And so it's a good thing that when Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster arrives, it'll sound as iconic as the original.