Should You Play Dead Rising 2 Before 3? A Comprehensive Guide
The burning question for many newcomers and even some returning fans to the Dead Rising series is: do you need to play Dead Rising 2 before jumping into Dead Rising 3? The short and direct answer is: No, you don’t strictly need to. Dead Rising 3 stands relatively well on its own. However, the longer and more nuanced answer is: it depends on what you’re looking for in your gaming experience. Let’s delve deeper into why.
The Standalone Nature of Dead Rising 3
Dead Rising 3 is designed to be accessible to newcomers. The game introduces a new protagonist, Nick Ramos, and a new location, Los Perdidos. While there are some minor references and nods to the previous games, particularly to the lore surrounding the zombie virus and Zombrex, you won’t be lost if you haven’t played Dead Rising 1 or Dead Rising 2. The main plot of Dead Rising 3 is self-contained, focusing on Nick’s quest to survive the outbreak and uncover the truth behind it, and it doesn’t heavily rely on prior knowledge of the events of the first two games.
The Benefits of Playing Dead Rising 2
While Dead Rising 3 doesn’t require you to have played Dead Rising 2, playing it first can certainly enhance your overall enjoyment. Here’s why:
1. Understanding the Lore
Although not crucial, Dead Rising 2 expands on the lore of the zombie virus and introduces concepts like Zombrex in more detail. If you jump straight into Dead Rising 3, you might not fully appreciate the significance of some of these recurring elements. Experiencing Dead Rising 2 first provides a better understanding of the bigger picture of the Dead Rising universe.
2. Appreciating Evolution of Gameplay
Playing Dead Rising 2 first gives you a baseline understanding of the series’ core gameplay loop and its evolution. You’ll appreciate the improvements and changes made in Dead Rising 3, especially when it comes to gameplay mechanics like combo weapons and the sheer scale of the game world.
3. Getting Attached to Recurring Characters and Concepts
While Dead Rising 3 doesn’t heavily feature characters from Dead Rising 2, playing the latter first can create a sense of familiarity with recurring elements such as the zombie outbreak’s themes. It also provides context that may improve your enjoyment. This connection can make those nods in Dead Rising 3 that much more meaningful.
4. Setting the Stage for the Series’ Narrative
Dead Rising 2, is considered canon while its off-shoot Dead Rising 2: Off The Record, isn’t. Playing the canonical game sets up events and elements which may become relevant later on in other games. It’s important to play Dead Rising 2 to have a greater understanding of the overarching narrative.
The Case for Starting with Dead Rising 3
On the other hand, if you’re eager to jump into the most recent and arguably most expansive entry in the series, you won’t be completely lost starting with Dead Rising 3. Here’s why it’s acceptable:
1. Accessible to Newcomers
Dead Rising 3 was intentionally designed to be accessible. The game features a new protagonist and location, meaning it is an acceptable place to jump into the franchise.
2. Improved Gameplay and Scale
Dead Rising 3 boasts significant improvements in graphics, gameplay mechanics, and overall scale compared to Dead Rising 2. Many consider it the best in the series for its sheer volume of zombies and combo weapons.
3. Focus on Its Own Story
The main narrative of Dead Rising 3 focuses on the immediate crisis in Los Perdidos. The story is easily followed without prior knowledge of other titles.
Final Recommendation
In conclusion, while playing Dead Rising 2 before Dead Rising 3 is not required, it’s certainly recommended if you’re looking for the most rewarding and complete Dead Rising experience. It provides valuable context, appreciation for the series’ evolution, and some level of familiarity with recurring elements. However, if you’re primarily interested in the open-world, zombie-slaying action, and want to start with the latest, most polished experience, you can definitely dive straight into Dead Rising 3 without feeling too lost.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and it depends on what you prioritize in your gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further guide you through the Dead Rising series:
1. Do I need to play Dead Rising 1 before 2?
While it’s not necessary, playing Dead Rising 1 first can enhance your understanding of the series’ core gameplay and lore. It’s also a classic that many consider the best in the series, so it’s worth experiencing.
2. Is Dead Rising 2: Off the Record canon?
No, Dead Rising 2: Off the Record is a non-canon retelling of Dead Rising 2. It features some significant plot differences and is considered an alternative experience, not a part of the main timeline.
3. In what order should I play the Dead Rising games?
The recommended order based on release is: Dead Rising, Dead Rising 2, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero, Dead Rising 2: Case West, Dead Rising 3, and Dead Rising 4.
4. Is Dead Rising 4 a direct sequel to 3?
Dead Rising 4 is set one year after Dead Rising 3, but it features a returning Frank West as the protagonist and takes place in a new location, the newly constructed “Willamette Memorial Megaplex”.
5. Why is Dead Rising 4 considered a failure?
Dead Rising 4 veered drastically from the core elements of the original three games, leading to negative reviews and lower sales than expected.
6. Is Dead Rising 3 the best in the series?
Many fans consider Dead Rising 3 one of the best for its large open-world, huge number of zombies on screen, and massive range of combo weapons.
7. How many endings does Dead Rising 3 have?
There are five known endings in Dead Rising 3. The best one is the “Ending S” which is considered the true ending.
8. Can you save anywhere in Dead Rising 3?
Unlike earlier titles, Dead Rising 3 allows autosaving, so you don’t need to rely on specific save points.
9. Is Nick Ramos immune to the zombie virus?
Yes, Nick Ramos is immune to the zombie virus due to an experiment performed on him as a child.
10. How long does it take to 100% Dead Rising 2?
Completing everything in Dead Rising 2 can take upwards of 50 hours.
11. How many psychopaths are in Dead Rising 3?
Dead Rising 3 has the fewest psychopaths in the series, with a total of seven, each representing one of the seven deadly sins.
12. Can kids play Dead Rising games?
Dead Rising games are violent and feature dismemberment, gore, and strong language, so they are generally not recommended for younger children.
13. Does Dead Rising 5 ever happen?
Dead Rising 5 was in development at Capcom Vancouver but was ultimately cancelled due to the studio’s financial struggles.
14. Which Dead Rising game has the best story?
Many consider Dead Rising 2 to have the best narrative in the series due to its emotional investment and overall quality.
15. Can you play as a female character in Dead Rising 3?
While the main campaign protagonist is male (Nick Ramos), there are playable female characters in the Super Ultra Dead Rising 3′ Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX + α DLC.
By keeping these points in mind, you can now make an informed decision about whether to play Dead Rising 2 before tackling Dead Rising 3!