8Bit/Digi

The Arcade Nightmare Returns to the PC

Back in the days of the arcade, The House of the Dead 2 was impossible to miss. From the cabinet’s striking artwork to its bloody, unforgettable intro, it demanded the attention of every passerby. The booming declaration of “THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2” echoed across the arcade floor, impossible to ignore. It quickly became one of my go-to games, where friends and I spent countless tokens blasting zombies. Chasing high scores and the elusive best ending kept us hooked until our credits ran dry. So when I discovered the game was getting a remake, I knew I had to play it immediately.

The House of the Dead 2 Remake brings the iconic arcade shooter to PC while introducing it to a new generation of players. No longer do fans need to track down an arcade cabinet or hope to stumble upon it at a convention. Now, they can simply sit back at home and blast their way through THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD… 2.

One Night in the City

AMS Agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart are dispatched to locate Agent G. Upon their arrival, they find the city overrun by the undead, with Agent G wounded. Armed with the information provided and a gun in hand, they must fight their way to the heart of the city. After battling waves of zombies and abominations, they uncover that Caleb Goldman, the financial backer of Dr. Curien, is behind the chaos. Worse still, he plans to unleash the Emperor upon the world.

The overall story closely mirrors that of its predecessor: mow down hordes of zombies and stop the ultimate weapon. Players step into the shoes of Agents Taylor or Stewart, battling relentless waves of undead and other abominations. The narrative itself is thin, but that’s perfectly fine. After all, the original was an arcade shooter where the story took a backseat. The real draw has always been blasting enemies and overcoming the climactic boss battles. All the story does is give you a reason for why you are blasting these zombies.

Welcome Back to 2000

The House of the Dead 2: Remake brings back one of the most iconic arcade games to the PC. It’s the same game we all use to playback in the days, be it at the arcade or on the PC. Its gameplay remains the same as the original, whether you played it in the arcade, on the Dreamcast, or on the PC. You blast through waves of zombies and other undead creatures that attack relentlessly. What is there not to love?

Like its predecessor’s remake, it’s more than just a straightforward shooter—it lets you tailor the experience. From the start, players can select different gameplay modes and adjust settings to match their personal style. Options include modifying the scoring system, tweaking the difficulty, and much more. This flexibility allows fans to enjoy the classic approach or try the new combo-based scoring system. After finishing the game, you can replay specific levels instead of starting over entirely, perfect for sharpening your skills in that stage.

The original arcade game was already rich in replay value thanks to its numerous branching paths, and the remake preserves that. This feature encourages players to return and discover alternate routes for completing each stage. As an added bonus, the remake introduces Boss Rush, a challenging mode where players can test their skills against every boss. Variations of these bosses become available only after defeating them in the main game, adding another rewarding layer of replayability.

A Nightmare is Reborn

The House of the Dead 2 is an arcade classic that improved upon a successful horror game. It’s also a reminder that horror games were not limited to just consoles and the PC. While the days of the arcade are long gone, the existence of such classics should not be limited to just one’s memory and the hopes that it shows up at an arcade or convention. That is what I like about the remake: it allows this classic to live on and become more accessible.

For old-school gamers like me, this remake is a chance to revisit one of my all-time favorites. The original arcade cabinet is a rare sight at conventions or expos, and when it does appear, it’s often in less-than-ideal condition. Meanwhile, younger players who never grew up with the arcade scene finally have an opportunity to experience this horror classic. The remake lets them dive in at home, at their own pace, and on their own terms.

Plus, if you have a choice between the PC version and the console version, go with the PC version. The difference comes down to controllers, as using a mouse feels more natural than relying on a controller when a GunCon isn’t available. Having played many rail shooters on consoles, I can say that outside the Wii, a standard controller simply doesn’t compare. Fortunately, even a basic mouse captures that same precision and responsiveness as the classic GunCon.

Death at Every Corner

The House of the Dead 2: Remake isn’t a perfect revival as its flaws become apparent at first glance. While the visuals are technically updated, the poor color palette and grading filter drag down the experience. This isn’t just a matter of making the game look unattractive; it actively makes it more frustrating to play. The altered visuals strain the eyes and cause important details to blend into the background. Enemies lurking in shadows, civilians awaiting rescue, and even keys that unlock alternate paths can easily be overlooked. The issue is especially noticeable during boss fights, with the clearest example being Strength at the colosseum. His weak point is the head, but the dark palette and filtering make it blend into the environment. Honestly, retaining the original gray palette would have been the better choice; despite its muted look, it captured the right atmosphere without distorting essential gameplay elements.

Next comes the flat performance of the voice acting from NPCs to the main characters. I never expected much from an arcade game, but here it feels like it was phoned in without a second take. It lacks any effort to be good or to be cheesy; it’s just bland. It’s even a downgrade when compared to The House of the Dead: Remake. Which says a lot, as the voice acting in that game was also bland and lacking any range.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD…2

The House of the Dead 2: Remake serves as both a reunion for old-school gamers and a gateway for a new generation to experience the arcade classic. For those who grew up pumping tokens into the original, the PC version is the best way to relive it. Fans of survival horror should also give it a try, especially with a friend by their side. It’s far from a perfect remake, with some notable flaws, but it still delivers plenty of fun.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The House of the Dead 2: Remake (PC)

7

Good

7.0/10

Pros

• Old school gamers and a new generation can enjoy the arcade classic.
• None stop zombie blasting
• Rich in replay value thanks to its many paths and additional content.
• Playing with a friend is always fun.

Cons

• Poor color palette and grading filter make things worse than better.
• Voice acting feels phoned in and is a downgrade compared to its predecessor.