Do I need the original game files to run Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.

How is Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation licensed?

project: PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 (repository's own code). The repository itself is the authoritative source.

Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation

RecompilationActive

The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port.

About

A native PC port of Dead Rising 2: Case Zero for Windows and Linux, in which the game's Xbox 360 code was translated ahead of time into a native program using XenonRecomp and XenosRecomp. The README says it is not an emulator and calls it essentially complete: the game has been finished start to finish on both Windows and Linux, with a few minor issues remaining.

Getting started

You must own the game and supply your own copy of the XBLA package file, about 825 MB. Unpack the release, copy the package into the assets/package folder, and run cz_runtime. The first run unpacks the package and prepares shaders and assets, and needs about 2 GB free disk space and a Vulkan 1.3 GPU.

Known issues & limitations

Chuck's hair has a subtle shading flicker while moving.
Some spots may shade slightly differently than on original hardware.
There is no macOS build yet.
Some debug-menu entries do nothing, and others can leave the game in a strange state.

What you need to run it

Original game files required. The project ships code only; you provide your own copy of the game (Xbox 360 version).

You need your own copy of the game; no game data is included.
A GPU and driver with Vulkan 1.3 support are required.
Windows requires Windows 10 or later on x86-64.
Linux requires x86-64 and glibc 2.35 or newer from v1.0.2.
Allow about 2 GB of free disk space after the first-run unpacking.

Features

The game is playable from start to finish, including its locations, combo weapons, cinematics, and save/load.
Two-player online co-op is available through XenonLive; the final military arrival is currently single-player.
The level cap is 50, with all fifteen skills unlockable.
60 fps is available, with the original 30 fps pacing and higher caps also offered as settings.
The in-game graphics options include resolution from 720p to 5K, display mode, vsync, and shadow quality; resolution changes apply without restarting.
The game uses Xbox 360 XMA audio for music, speech, effects, and looping ambience.

How to install

Download the release for your system and unpack it.
Start `cz_runtime.exe` on Windows or `./cz_runtime` on Linux; the first run prepares the game automatically.

Controls

Any controller recognized by SDL works with an Xbox layout and vibration.

Summarised from the project's README.

Licensing & legal

The repository's own code is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0.

Additional notes

Debug menu: An optional developer debug menu from the original game can be switched back on with a flag, environment variable or config line.

FAQ

What is Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation?: Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation is an open-source recompilation. The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port. The original game ran on Xbox 360.
Do I need the original game files to run Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation?: Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.
How is Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Recompilation licensed?: project: PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 (repository's own code). The repository itself is the authoritative source.