Can You Save Paul in Dead Rising? The Definitive Guide
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The short answer is yes, Paul can be saved in Dead Rising, but it’s not as straightforward as it might seem. This enigmatic psychopath, found in Renton’s hotel, is unique in that his fate hinges entirely on the player’s actions. Unlike most psychopath encounters, where defeating them leads to their definitive demise, Paul’s survival is tied to a very specific condition: avoiding a particular exit point in his hotel room. This makes him a fascinating case study within the game’s survival mechanics. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of how to save Paul, and the consequences of failing to do so.
The Enigmatic Paul
Paul, a disturbed and violent individual, is one of the more memorable psychopaths in the original Dead Rising. His encounter takes place within Renton’s Hotel, and he is easily identified by his distinctive attire and the way he wields his weapons of choice – a mix of golf clubs, baseball bats, and other blunt objects. Unlike some of the other psychopaths, Paul does not pose a complex combat challenge, however, the mechanics surrounding his rescue are what make his situation unique.
How To Save Paul
The key to saving Paul isn’t about defeating him but rather how you leave his room. The trigger for his death is leaving the room through the window. If you exit through the window after encountering Paul, he is coded as dead, his icon vanishes from the map, and his signature cardboard box will not appear when you re-enter the location. Therefore, to keep him alive, simply avoid the window when you leave Renton’s Hotel. Instead, exit through the door. He is then considered ‘saved’ in the context of the game. This unusual requirement is easy to miss if the player is not explicitly aware of it.
What Happens If You Don’t Save Paul?
The major consequence of not saving Paul is that he will be permanently dead for the rest of that playthrough. This is not just a story point, it has mechanical implications. If you kill Paul by any method aside from leaving through the window, his cardboard box will appear as a drop, allowing you to collect the weapons he uses. This box will also appear when you restart the game, so you can still obtain them, even if you did not avoid exiting through the window. However, leaving through the window will also prevent the box from appearing until the next playthrough. In addition, you cannot count Paul as ‘rescued’ towards achievements or progress. Therefore, saving him, if you intend to for these reasons is crucial.
Paul’s Significance
While saving Paul does not reward you in any material way, except for keeping him alive and in the world state of the game, it is an important distinction of the player’s actions. It demonstrates that not every hostile encounter requires death and that even seemingly straightforward encounters have hidden nuances. Furthermore, his inclusion on the list of psychopaths who can be saved sets him apart within the game’s structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Paul the Only Psychopath Who Can Be Saved?
No, Paul is not the only psychopath who can be saved. Other psychopaths that can be saved include Isabela, Bibi Love, Snowflake, Diego Martinez, and Kenny Dermot. Additionally, Cletus Samson can be rescued in Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop. However, the mechanism of saving them usually differs from Paul’s.
2. What Happens if Paul is Killed by His Own Weapons in Infinity Mode?
If you manage to kill Paul using his own weapons in Infinity Mode, then the game will fail to generate the cardboard box drop. This is a unique circumstance, it is the result of how the game flags this specific location in the game state if you leave through the window.
3. Can You Save Anyone at the Beginning of Dead Rising?
No, it is impossible to save the initial survivors at the beginning of Dead Rising. Anyone you try to escort to the stairs will inevitably die, even if they appear to make it to a safe point. This is a story-driven element that emphasizes the chaotic and unforgiving nature of the outbreak.
4. Do You Have to Save Survivors in Dead Rising?
Saving survivors in Dead Rising is entirely optional. It’s a side quest activity that adds depth to the gameplay, but is not integral to completing the main storyline. However, saving certain survivors can provide benefits like experience points and new weapons.
5. How Many Endings Does Dead Rising Have?
Dead Rising has seven possible endings, each dependent on the player’s actions throughout the game, including the completion of main story cases, saving survivors, and meeting specific time-based requirements. The ending you obtain is heavily affected by completing cases, or not.
6. What Happens if You Miss the Helicopter in Dead Rising?
If you miss the helicopter rescue, which is a pivotal moment in the game, you’ll receive the “The Truth Has Vanished” ending, and can continue to play until the 72-hour timer expires. If you fail to get to the helipad on the third day, you will also “die” and have to start over.
7. What is the Maximum Number of Survivors You Can Have at Once?
In Dead Rising, you are limited to having a maximum of eight active survivors at any given time. This includes those you are escorting, and is a rule that carries over to some other games in the series.
8. How Many Queens Do You Need for Isabella?
Isabella needs a total of ten queens. You need to collect the queens from the maintenance tunnels, and can usually accomplish this in two trips, depending on how many you are holding when you first talk to her.
9. What is the Max Level in Dead Rising?
The maximum level you can reach in Dead Rising is level 50. This is achieved through accumulated experience over multiple playthroughs. Upon reaching this level, you’ll unlock an achievement and max out Frank’s stats.
10. Who is the Primary Antagonist in Dead Rising?
The overarching antagonists in Dead Rising are Brock Mason and Russell Barnaby. They are not the only hostile characters in the game, but their actions significantly affect the course of the plot, and the outbreak itself.
11. Can You Save Jessie and Brad in Dead Rising?
You can save Brad and Jessie in Dead Rising but to do so means that you cannot complete all cases in the game, thus locking you out of the best endings. The ending is referred to as Ending B.
12. What is Greg’s Shortcut in Dead Rising?
Greg’s “shortcut” leads you to a hidden path from Wonderland Plaza to Paradise Plaza. The shortcut is located in the ladies’ restroom on the first floor where you can use a sink to jump through to another part of the map. This short cut significantly increases the speed of your movement within the mall.
13. How Long Does it Take to Beat Dead Rising?
On average, focusing on the main story objectives of Dead Rising takes around 12 hours. However, fully completing all the side activities and achievements can take up to 75 hours.
14. Does Dead Rising 4 Have a Time Limit?
Dead Rising 4 does not have a time limit. The decision to remove this element was based on research indicating that many players disliked the feature, particularly in the context of a larger, open-world game. This makes the game very different from the previous titles in the series.
15. Do Stats Carry Over in Dead Rising?
Yes, your level and stats always carry over in Dead Rising as long as you save your game. This means that if you start a new save, you will retain any progress you had in any previous playthrough.
Conclusion
Paul’s survival is a testament to the nuanced details hidden within Dead Rising. It is a unique game, where the player must be aware of every action and how it can impact the overall game state. By understanding the specific conditions of his survival, players can add another layer of complexity to their gameplay, and truly experience all that Dead Rising has to offer.