Frank West’s Great Escape: Surviving Willamette in Dead Rising
Frank West, a photojournalist with a nose for a good story and an uncanny knack for surviving zombie hordes, finds himself trapped in the Willamette Parkview Mall during the initial zombie outbreak. His escape from Willamette in the original Dead Rising isn’t a singular, straightforward event but rather a culmination of decisions and actions that ultimately lead to him commandeering a tank and driving himself and Isabela Keyes out of the infested town. This involved navigating the mall’s treacherous corridors, uncovering the truth behind the outbreak, rescuing survivors, and finally, exploiting the military’s disorganized withdrawal.
The key to Frank’s escape lies in triggering Ending A, which is considered the true ending in light of later games in the series, particularly Dead Rising 3‘s Overtime Mode. This involves completing certain key cases that uncover the conspiracy, ensuring Isabela’s safety, and reaching the helipad before the bombing. However, even after reaching the helipad, the situation is far from over. Otis, a janitor who became an unlikely ally, learns the full truth. Realizing that Frank can’t possibly save everyone on the helicopter, Otis heroically steals a military helicopter and rescues the survivors Frank has already rescued, taking them to a safe area.
Frank and Isabela themselves escape by a different route. Utilizing a tank with an auto-pilot mode that can follow voice commands, Frank exploits the chaos caused by the military’s retreat and the death of the military commander in charge of the operation. The auto-pilot allows them to navigate the tank, making it easier to slip past what remains of the military perimeter. Afterwards, Frank and Isabela work together to expose the truth about both the Willamette incident and the Phenotrans conspiracy, paving the way for future events in the Dead Rising universe.
The Journey to Freedom: Key Factors in Frank’s Survival
Several elements contribute to Frank’s successful escape:
- Uncovering the Truth: Frank’s journalistic instincts drive him to investigate the source of the outbreak. His pursuit of the truth leads him to discover the genetic experiments and the involvement of specific individuals and corporations, giving him leverage and context for his actions.
- Protecting Isabela: Isabela Keyes is not only a crucial character in understanding the origin of the outbreak but also a vulnerable individual that Frank is compelled to protect. Keeping her safe is integral to triggering the appropriate ending and ensuring their eventual escape.
- Rescue Operations: While not directly related to his immediate escape, saving other survivors within the mall is a testament to Frank’s character and indirectly aids his cause. These survivors can offer assistance, resources, and moral support, collectively increasing their chances of survival.
- Exploiting Chaos: The military’s disorganized response and the death of their commander create a window of opportunity for Frank to exploit. He uses the chaos to his advantage, navigating the tank through the weakened perimeter.
- Utilizing Resources: Frank is no stranger to wielding a variety of weapons, and his skill in improvising and utilizing anything at his disposal is essential for his survival. Everything from baseball bats to chainsaws becomes a weapon against the hordes.
- Overtime Mode: The Overtime Mode reveals the next stage in the events following the escape, when Frank has to find proof to reveal the zombie outbreak and uncover the conspiracy.
Frank’s Legacy: More Than Just an Escape
Frank’s escape from Willamette is more than just surviving a zombie outbreak; it’s about uncovering the truth, protecting the innocent, and fighting against corruption. His actions set the stage for subsequent events in the Dead Rising series, making him a pivotal figure in the franchise’s lore.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Frank West’s Escape
What is the canon ending of Dead Rising?
Ending A is considered the canon ending due to subsequent games in the series referencing events stemming from that specific outcome. It involves completing the main case file, keeping Isabela safe, and escaping using the tank.
What was Frank West’s job in Dead Rising?
Frank West was a freelance photojournalist, drawn to Willamette by a mysterious tip that hinted at a major scoop. He was seeking his big break and the opportunity to capture a story that would make headlines.
How does Frank get infected in the Dead Rising universe?
In some Dead Rising entries, Frank does get infected, requiring Zombrex. In Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, he replaces Chuck Greene as the main character, so he faces the threat of infection and needs regular doses of Zombrex to prevent himself from turning into a zombie.
Why does Frank need Zombrex?
Zombrex is a drug that suppresses the effects of the zombie parasite, preventing infected individuals from turning into zombies. In scenarios where Frank is infected (like in Off the Record), he needs Zombrex to maintain his humanity.
How did Frank and Isabela escape?
Frank and Isabela escape Willamette by commandeering a tank and exploiting the chaos caused by the military’s retreat. The tank’s auto-pilot mode, along with Frank’s resourcefulness, allowed them to navigate through the weakened military perimeter.
What caused the apocalypse in Dead Rising?
The zombie plague in the Dead Rising franchise is attributed to genetically altered wasps. These wasps were created as part of an experiment designed to reduce the cost of breeding cows.
Is Frank in Dead Rising 2?
Frank West is not the main protagonist in Dead Rising 2, but he is a playable character in Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, a reimagining of the second game. He also appears in Dead Rising 2: Case West, where he teams up with Chuck Greene.
Why did Frank scream in Dead Rising?
The “scream” at the end is seen by some as Capcom’s way of indicating they did not have time to make a respectable ending. It hints at Frank’s impending zombification, which is explored in the Overtime Mode.
How does Jessie get infected in Dead Rising?
Jessie is infected when she is bitten by the now-deceased Dr. Barnaby. This infection leads to her transformation into a zombie.
Can Frank survive Dead Rising 4?
Frank can survive Dead Rising 4, but the ending depends on the player’s actions. He can escape Willamette with Dr. Blackburne, but whether Hammond and her team survive depends on whether Frank collected all the Princess wasps.
What happens to Frank after Dead Rising?
After the events of Dead Rising, Frank works with Isabela to spread awareness about the truth behind the Willamette incident and the Phenotrans conspiracy. He returns as the protagonist in Dead Rising 4, working as a college photography teacher, before being caught in another outbreak.
How did Frank hurt his eye?
Frank is shot in the eye by Donnie, Elizabeth’s brother and Gretchen’s boyfriend, as revenge for running over Gretchen in a beer run.
What is the virus in Dead Rising?
The virus in Dead Rising is a zombie virus spread through bites and stings from infected individuals or wasps. This virus transforms humans into zombies, driven by the instinct to infect and devour.
Who started the outbreak in Dead Rising?
Phenotrans is revealed to be responsible for starting the outbreak in Las Vegas, as part of a scheme to generate more demand for Zombrex.
Why is Nick Ramos immune?
Nick Ramos is immune because he was subjected to experiments by Carlito Keyes when he was a child. These experiments imbued him with the cure for the zombie virus, making him immune to infection.