A quick preface here. I'm a huge fan of Dead Rising and all it's sequels. So while I'll try to write this as objectively as I can, the simple truth is that this is a fan's review and I am going to be gushing a bit here. For better or worse. So before you read any farther I want you to know what you're in for.
-Paul
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Dead Rising 3 hits all the right notes as it takes yet another new protagonist on a fun journey through some almost whimsical silliness. I really want to hand it to Capcom Vancouver. The easy thing would be to keep cranking out games with fan favorite Frank West. But these guys just keep coming up with interesting stories to tell with a new protagonist each and every time. Frank managed to endear himself to early adopters of the Xbox 360 after Dead Rising was one of many breakout hits in the console's first year that never were ported to other platforms. To this day I don't think it's available on any other system. So making 3 an Xbox One exclusive was a pretty good strategy for Microsoft. But if I'm honest, I'm a little sad that dedicated PC or PS4 players won't be able to experience this gem. At least not for the foreseeable future anyway.
Nick Ramos is the star of the show here. An unassuming mechanic with a vague past, a way with mechanical systems that would make Eddie Riggs say "DAMN", and a tattoo that apparently has been with him since birth. And as silly as all three of those things sound in the same sentence, you better believe that the narrative of this game will make each and every one of them important by the time it's all over.
But I don't want to risk spoiling too much of the story here. It's better left explored by the player. And for the first time in a proper sequel, the way you choose to experience the story is entirely up to you. While the Dead Rising games have always highlighted a sandbox approach to gameplay, it's difficult to call them true open-world games. You're always in a very claustrophobic area with a very specific set of places you can go and ways to traverse the area. But 3 really opens up the game's world to wonderful effect. It's no Grand Theft Auto V mind you. But for Dead Rising, this is as open as it's ever been and it does a good job of making Los Perdidos feel like a place where people used to live and work and exist prior to the horrific events set in motion. And as a nice turn of events, the story starts in medi as res. There is no awkward "outbreak moment" like there was in 2 and there is no moment when the barricades give way and then suddenly the mall is infested with undead. You start off mid outbreak. Everything has already gone pear-shaped and the goal is simple; Get out alive.
The cast is as silly as it ever was. And some of the enemies will run the likelihood of offending people who are sensitive to the more politically correct side of the spectrum. And while I'm tempted to say "just take it with a grain of salt", the truth is the game would be better without the dated stereotypes like the butch female bodybuilder or the cross dressing performer who can't stop saying things like "FABULOUSSSS". But this is Capcom and I don't honestly think it's got hatred in it's heart. But it can be seen as insensitive to those who don't fit the mold of straight male. Hopefully things like this won't put you off of an otherwise brilliant game, but I'm not going to call you out if you don't find the humor in good taste.
New additions to gameplay are used to help add a whole new mode of conveyance to go along with 3's open world approach. The combo vehicles are the new highlight of the game and I can only assume that like Chuck Greene's combo weapons, should there be a Dead Rising 4 I'd expect these will be a staple of the franchise from now on. They're simply too fun to not bring back if they build another one of these.
Dead Rising 3 also provided me with what I'll call my first "next gen moment". When the world first starts to open up during the tutorial there is this one moment where you look out over what has to be about 1000 zombies. All moving and writhing and eager to feast upon your succulent brain meats. It was, to put it succinctly, awe inspiring. It cannot be argued that Dead Rising is the prettiest game you'll play on your Xbox One. Forza Motorsport 5 and Ryse: Son of Rome are both better graphical showcases. But the sheer number of unique zombies you face at any given moment is mind boggling. And it's worth playing just to see it in action.
Dead Rising 3 is easily my favorite of the launch games for both of the new consoles. But as I said in the disclaimer, I was already a fan. Dead Rising is a system seller for me. If you've enjoyed the games in the past, you will love this one. And if you've been put off by some of Dead Rising's rigid systems in the past, now might be a good time to give the series another go. The story mode is much less focused on time management and much more focused on letting the player dictate their experience. And you can save anywhere so long as you're not in NIGHTMARE mode. But if you pick NIGHTMARE, be prepared for a mode that pulls no punches. Zombies are aggressive, options are limited, and party members can and will fall by the wayside as you try to navigate a sea of monsters eager to make you an hors d'oeuvre.