Dead Rising 2 will take the franchise to a new level of zombie-killing fun with tens of thousands of zombies, the all new gambling paradise of Fortune City to explore and conquer plus a host of new in-game objects that can all be used as deadly weapons to stave off the zombie assault.

Dead Rising 2 is set several years after the infamous zombie invasion of Willamette. Unfortunately, the zombie virus was not contained at the conclusion of Dead Rising, spreading unchecked throughout the United States and Dead Rising 2 depicts a country where zombie outbreaks continue to strike.

When a zombie outbreak hits America’s new capital of entertainment it is every man and woman for themselves. But some adapt better than others to survival on Fortune City’s zombie infested strip. Spurned on by the paternal instinct to protect his daughter, Chuck Greene is one such man. Spurned on by the paternal instinct to protect his daughter, Chuck Greene is one such man.

Just when you thought you’ve dressed Chuck in every outfit imaginable, Capcom’s excited to announce four new DLC Theme Packs that will include a host of new skills, weapons and some great new looks for Chuck. In the next few weeks, Dead Rising 2 players will get a chance to dress up Chuck as either an insane Psychopath, a sleek ninja, a crazy sports fanatic or a kick-ass soldier. Each theme pack will be available to download via the PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE to enhance your Dead Rising 2 experience. What’s more, players can even mix and match the packs they have downloaded – select the Ninja shoes, Sports Fan hat, Psycho jacket and Soldier of Fortune trousers - to get all the abilities each pack offers and create the ultimate Chuck.

Psychopath Theme Pack: Available from October 12 (XBLA) and October 13 (PSN)

Psycho Chuck will be a zombie ’s worst nightmare as his new “insane” look will make him more difficult to kill and give him a host of gruesome weapons including chainsaws, cleavers, axes and more. Zombies won’t stand a chance!

Soldier of Fortune Theme Pack: Available from October 19 (XBLA) and October 20 (PSN)

With the soldier costume, you can “Rambo out” with double ammo, increased shooting accuracy, more firepower and headshot accuracy increased. Chuck will also have a new special attack when using automatic weapons, spraying zombies with a hail of bullets.

Sports Theme Pack: Available from October 26 (XBLA) and October 27 (PSN)

For all you sports fans out there, this pack ’s for you. Chuck’s damage will increase with sports-themed weapons. The new sports weapons (golf balls, basketballs, etc.) bounce more before stopping, allowing you to hit more zombies. Chuck also has a new charge/tackle attack for taking zombies down in the ultimate blitz! With the Sports Theme Pack, Chuck will also earn more from gambling, gain more health while eating and drinking (especially alcoholic drinks) and not get sick from drinking too much…

Ninja Theme Pack: Available from November 2 (XBLA) and November 3 (PSN)

Ninja Chuck will have a new “stealth mode” where the zombies have to be much closer to him to detect his presence. This gives Chuck the upper hand as he is harder to grab and be taken down by hoards of the undead. Chuck’s damage is increased with sword-type weapons (broadswords, katanas, etc.) that have new special attacks. Stackable items and throwing items (nails, plates, gems, etc.) will also do more damage and Chuck’s throwing speed is increased.

Dead Rising 2 builds on the combat system of Dead Rising where anything picked up is a potential weapon, by considerably increasing the number of items Chuck will find in Fortune City’s casinos, bars and shops. Just like the original, Chuck will be able to make use of items that range from ‘traditional’ weapons like guns and swords to the more improvised such as roulette wheels, croupier sticks, wheelchairs, stuffed marlins and more! But Dead Rising 2 takes combat one stage further with a set of truly unique weapons including the paddle-saw (two chain-saws attached to either end of a canoe paddle) and the self-explanatory drill bucket.

Like millions of Americans, Chuck is gripped by the TV sensation that is Terror is Reality. Hosted by the flamboyant Tyrone King and ably assisted by his two glamorous co-hosts, Terror is Reality pits ordinary members of the public against an arena full of zombies with a simple challenge – kill more zombies than your opponents and stay alive. The lucky winner will collect big money and the chance to come back and secure even greater prizes.

Like a modern day gladiatorial contest, those lucky enough to get a grandstand seat urge the contestants to spill more zombie blood, with over the top takedowns greeted by rapturous applause and the promise of slow motion replays on the arena’s jumbotron. So, what is it that has forced Chuck to risk his life, is he trying to recapture the fame of his motocross days, does he have a reason to hate zombies, or is it simply the lure of big money?

Dead Rising 2 allows players to experience the carnage of Terror is Reality with a series of multiplayer challenges for up to four players via online play. Whether you're jumping into giant hamster balls and mowing down the undead; seeing who can place the most drill buckets on zombies’ heads, or taking to the arena on a motorbike with chainsaws for handlebars, the challenges will feature exactly the kind of over-the-top action and humor that Dead Rising is known for. Adding to the competitive nature of these events is the ability to prevent your opponents from scoring, ensuring fierce rivalries as competitors fight dirty to claim victory.