The House of the Dead 2: Remake resurrects Sega’s cult arcade shooter for a new generation, placing players once again in the roles of AMS agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart as they investigate a city overrun by undead creatures. This modern take preserves the linear, frantic rhythm of the original while aiming to update its presentation and controls for console audiences. In doing so, it walks a fine line between nostalgia and frustration, echoing the pulse of the late-90s classic but rarely escaping its dated shell.
The structure remains instantly familiar: fixed camera rails, split-second target acquisition, and multiple routes leading to alternate outcomes. It’s a simple yet satisfying design when everything clicks – enemies erupt in bursts of gore, hostages beg for help, and the pacing keeps tension high. Co-op mode still delivers the best experience, offering the kind of chaotic fun that the series was built on. However, beyond this faithful recreation, the remake contributes little new. The extra modes – Boss Rush and Training – add short distractions but don’t expand the formula in meaningful ways.
Controls are a dividing line for this release. On PlayStation 4, the optional Aim controller delivers the most authentic experience, though it requires sensitivity tuning to match the precision of the arcade guns. The Move controllers, which were fun to use with the remake of the first game, aren’t supported (yet). On PlayStation 5, the game relies solely on the DualSense gyro for motion aiming, which struggles to maintain accuracy and often demands readjustments mid-play, breaking immersion. The result is a shooter that can feel sharp and responsive one moment, sluggish and inconsistent the next. Calibration options exist, but they don’t fully compensate for the lack of true light-gun support – a problem that will be keenly felt by fans of the original cabinet.
Visually, the remake updates every level with new textures and lighting, yet the results are uneven. Environments are moodier, but sometimes too dark or lacking in clarity, while character models oscillate between improved detail and awkward stiffness. Creature redesigns preserve the grotesque charm of the series but highlight animation limitations and inconsistent shading. The remastered soundtrack fares similarly: the option to switch back to the classic arcade score is welcome, since the new compositions sound less distinct and fail to capture the campy tension of the original.
The story and tone remain gleefully pulpy, full of overwrought dialogue and exaggerated delivery. Its rough edges are part of the appeal, though some creative decisions, like the new voice direction for Goldman, sit oddly alongside the returning campiness. Despite the remake’s modern visuals, it feels locked in its retro sensibility – a strength for those seeking authenticity, but an obstacle for anyone expecting polish or subtlety. The campaign’s short runtime and thin narrative reinforce that this is a faithful reconstruction rather than a reimagining.
Performance is generally stable on both PlayStation consoles, though loading screens appear more often than expected for a game of this scale. The frame rate holds up under pressure, but inconsistent texture streaming and occasional input lag with gyro aiming slightly undermine the immediacy that’s so vital to a light-gun shooter. Still, for short sessions – especially with a friend in co-op – the game can deliver those fleeting bursts of adrenaline that defined its arcade roots.
For long-time fans, The House of the Dead 2: Remake succeeds as a nostalgic throwback that captures the spirit of the original, even if it lacks the precision and sheen expected from a modern remake. Its heart is in the right place, but its execution feels more like a technical upgrade than a full revival. Without better control support or stronger audiovisual polish, this remains a fun yet flawed resurrection – a reminder of how thrilling, and clumsy, 1990s arcade horror could be. With the right setup (and we realize Aim controllers are somewhat rare), this is a blast.
Score: 7.0/10
Press Play Media 