Special Edition - Dead Rising 2 (High Stakes Edition)

An exclusive Edition for Capcom, this should theoretically have the strongest content for the series saved just for it.  And it does not disappoint on any front.   But will the content live up to the resplenent name, or will it turn out to be a  gaudy piece of cheap glass instead?  

Fortunately for both Capcom and their those who laid down all their cards for a copy, it sparkles.


The main draw of the High Stakes Edition is the 'Fortune City Poker Set', an exclusive case embossed with the Fortune City containing 100 poker chips (in four different colours), 5 precision cut bright green dice (the colour of the city), 2 decks of zombified cards and a blood stained 'Dealer' button.  The amount of chips proves to be just the right to have a short-but-fun poker session.  The best kind of session.


A foldout printed Map of Fortune City, with all the locations featured in the game, a la typical tourist leaflets, is also included.  Nowhere near as nice as the cloth maps which seem to be making a bit of a comeback, but still highly appropriate, given this is the form of map used in-game.  The final piece of content (no bonus DVDs here, I'm afraid) is a 'Terror is Reality Ticket' - which is, in reality, a stylised content code for the Psycho Skill Pack.


This code unlocks a 4-piece outfit reminiscent of every stock horrot video nasty killer released since the late 70's.  Wearing just a single piece will grant the player the ability to shrug off some damage, as well as inflict more with certain classic horror weapons (chef's knife, pickaxe, chainsaw, and the like).  Wearing the full set will grant bonus attack animations with these weapons.  This set does not change the gameplay at all, unlike the Ninja Skill Pack, but it does add a touch of fun if you enjoy using such weapons (and who doesn't), and make a game a bit more forgiving (read: less frustrating).  A fantastic piece of bonus content.


Note: This is being released as purchasable DLC.

Saving the "best" for last, every High Stakes Edition sold has a chance of containing the one golden 'Terror is Reality Scratchcard', which if found, grants the redeemer a lifesized (6 foot) replica of 'Burt the Zombie' - an upscale version of the Tourist Model  given away with the Outbreak Edition mounted on a giant poker chip base.  There is only a single one of these up for grabs, however, and it seems that the model would only be shipped within the US, Canada and Mexico... shame.


All in all, a fantastic bundle, and it is no surprise that Capcom have claimed the sole right to sell it.  It is a shame that there is no exclusive coverart - even just having 'High Stakes' on the cover would have sufficed, but still, a very nice Special Edition which SHOULD be more freely available over here.


Note: This Edition cannot be bought directly, but can be imported via thirdparty sellers.


Retailer: Capcom.com
Price (New): $89.99
Box: Vanilla Edition case; Supplementary case.
In-game Content: 5
Physical Content: 9