MONSTER'S MALL Players hit the shops for stuff to stop the zombies

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that journalists don't usually airdrop out of a helicopter onto a mall full of zombies. Not even freelance photographers, like the camera-toting Frank West in "Dead Rising," would pull such a stunt.

Yet, that's how this horrific tale begins, with one man's descent into a murky mystery.

With the town quarantined by the U.S. Army, Frank does what any good journalist would do -- he investigates, and snaps lots of pictures.

But trapped in a mall filled with undead ghoulies, his camera skills only go so far. You wouldn't think it, but a mall is surprisingly well stocked with weapons for keeping zombies at bay. Frank can pick up anything and everything that isn't nailed down to beat back this brain-chomping horde. Baseball bats, golf clubs and firearms are easy choices. But what about dishes or clothes hangers? Nab a lawnmower from the hardware store and mulch monsters out of your path. Or run them down with a shopping cart.

The game's freedom extends to its missions. Basically, you're really free to roam about the mall wherever you want. The janitor will ring you on the walkie-talkie when he spots any survivors on the security monitors. If you feel like saving them, do it. If you want to let them be zombie dinner, that's OK, too, though you earn achievements for escorting people to safety.

Not all the game's baddies are zombies, though; some are just psychopaths compounding the havoc created by the undead. Again, it's up to you whether or not to confront these malicious hooligans.

So many choices, not enough time, I'm afraid, because in 72 hours, ready or not, you're helicopter ride returns to pick you up.

All of this mayhem makes for a delightfully fun game that's part B-movie horror flick mixed with a drop or two of true suspense and drama. The action bits are a riot and diverse, and the photojournalism elements add a cool twist.

The only thing keeping this from becoming an instant classic is the presentation. The visuals aren't very detailed, and the onscreen text (used for interacting with characters and objects) is painfully small and virtually unreadable on a standard-definition television.

If you can get past the presentation problems, "Dead Rising" is a surprisingly fun zombie adventure that, thankfully, never takes itself too seriously.