Conquering Los Perdidos: A Completionist’s Guide to Dead Rising 3
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So, you’re thinking of diving into the zombie-infested streets of Los Perdidos and achieving 100% completion in Dead Rising 3? Excellent choice! This sprawling open-world zombie slayer offers a ton of content, but just how long will it take to see everything this game has to offer?
The answer, plain and simple, is around 46½ hours on average. However, that number can fluctuate wildly depending on your playstyle, familiarity with the Dead Rising formula, and your tolerance for zombie hordes. Let’s break down what goes into that playtime and how you can optimize your undead-slaying efficiency.
The Road to 100%: What to Expect
Reaching 100% completion in Dead Rising 3 isn’t just about finishing the main story. It’s about mastering the game and exploring every nook and cranny. Here’s a look at what contributes to that hefty playtime:
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Main Story Completion: A straightforward run through the main objectives will likely take you around 14 hours. This is your baseline.
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Side Missions: Los Perdidos is teeming with survivors needing your help. Completing all side missions is crucial, adding a significant chunk of playtime. Many of these missions also reward you with valuable blueprints and PP.
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Psychopaths: Dead Rising 3 features seven psychopaths, each representing one of the seven deadly sins. Tracking down and defeating these unique bosses is a key component of 100% completion.
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Collectible Hunting: Brace yourself; Los Perdidos is littered with collectibles. These range from ZDC Case Files to blueprints for those awesome combo weapons. You’ll need to locate everything.
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Leveling Up: Reaching the max level of 50 is essential. While you’ll gain a lot of experience naturally through gameplay, you may need to grind a bit to reach the pinnacle of zombie-slaying power.
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Unlocking All Skills: Leveling up grants you attribute points. You’ll need to strategically allocate these points to unlock all available skills, further enhancing your combat prowess. Fortunately, at level 50, you’ll be able to max out every skill.
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Ending S (The True Ending): To achieve 100% completion, you’ll want to aim for Ending S, considered the true ending of the game. This often requires specific choices throughout your playthrough.
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Nightmare Mode (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly necessary for 100% completion, playing through Nightmare Mode offers a more challenging experience with the classic Dead Rising timer and greater zombie density. Many veterans of the franchise find this mode more rewarding.
Optimizing Your Playtime: Tips for Efficient Completion
While the 46½ hour estimate is a good starting point, you can influence that number by playing smart. Here are a few tips to streamline your journey to 100% completion:
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Prioritize PP Gains: Focus on activities that grant you the most Prestige Points (PP). This will accelerate your leveling process.
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Master Combo Weapons: Learn the blueprints for the most effective combo weapons early on. These will make you far more efficient at clearing hordes.
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Use Vehicles Wisely: Los Perdidos is a large city. Utilize vehicles, especially combo vehicles, to traverse the map quickly.
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Plan Your Route: Before setting out on a mission, study the map and plan your route to minimize wasted time.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Grind: If you’re struggling to level up, find a good spot to grind PP. The tunnels beneath the city can be effective.
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Consult a Guide: There’s no shame in using a guide to locate collectibles and optimize your playthrough.
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Play Co-op: Playing with a friend can make the game more enjoyable and efficient, as you can divide tasks and cover more ground.
Is It Worth the Time Investment?
Absolutely! Dead Rising 3 offers a compelling blend of zombie-slaying action, open-world exploration, and satisfying progression. Achieving 100% completion is a testament to your dedication and mastery of the game. Plus, you’ll unlock all the achievements/trophies, which is always a nice bonus.
Understanding the Dead Rising World
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions regarding Dead Rising 3 and its completion:
How many hours is Dead Rising 3 story?
The main story of Dead Rising 3 takes roughly 14 hours to complete if you focus solely on the main objectives.
Does Dead Rising 3 have a time limit?
While Dead Rising 3 does have a time limit in the main story, it’s far more lenient than in previous Dead Rising games, especially on Normal mode. Nightmare Mode reintroduces a stricter timer. You can essentially get infinite time by not visiting the movie theatre rooftop at the beginning of chapter 8. The clock will forever say 52 minutes.
What is the max level in Dead Rising 3?
The max level in Dead Rising 3 is 50. Reaching this level unlocks the final tiers of each skill category.
Can you max all skills in Dead Rising 3?
Yes, you can max out all skills in Dead Rising 3. Once you reach level 50, you’ll continue to earn attribute points that can be used to unlock all remaining skills.
How many endings are in Dead Rising 3?
There are five known endings in Dead Rising 3: S, C, D, F, and an alternate ending in Chapter 8. Ending S is considered the true ending.
What year does Dead Rising 3 take place?
Dead Rising 3 takes place in the year 2021, ten years after the events of Dead Rising 2.
Where does Dead Rising 3 take place?
The game is set in the fictional city of Los Perdidos, California.
How many psychopaths are in Dead Rising 3?
There are seven psychopaths in Dead Rising 3, each representing one of the seven deadly sins.
Which Dead Rising has no time limit?
Dead Rising 4 removes the time limit from the main story entirely.
Does Dead Rising 4 take place after 3?
Yes, Dead Rising 4 takes place one year after the events of Dead Rising 3.
Can you play Dead Rising 3 without a timer?
Yes, in normal mode, Dead Rising 3 essentially doesn’t have a timer, giving you ample time to explore.
What does PP mean in Dead Rising 3?
PP stands for Prestige Points, which are experience points used to level up and unlock new abilities.
Is there multiple endings in Dead Rising 3?
As mentioned earlier, yes, there are multiple endings (five to be exact) in Dead Rising 3.
How long is 72 hours in Dead Rising?
72 hours in the original Dead Rising translates to 6 hours of real-time gameplay.
Was Dead Rising 4 that bad?
While subjective, Dead Rising 4 received mixed reviews, with many criticizing its departure from the series’ core mechanics and tone. Some say being a bad game would cause enough damage, but the fact it veered drastically of course compared to the original three games all but doomed the franchise.