Dead Rising 3 gameplay details - 6-10 possible endings, more flexible levelling system
Sauce: OXM.CO.UK
Like its predecessors, Dead Rising 3 will offer several endings and the opportunity to explore the world without story-specific restraints or guidance after completing the campaign, Capcom Vancouver producer Mike Jones has confirmed to OXM.
The premise sees mechanic-turned-corpse-botherer Nick fighting his way out of woebegone burg Los Perdidos before the US military nukes it. That's not just a question of bagging yourself a sturdy car and making a break for the freeway, of course. "I think typically we've always had about somewhere between six and 10, something like that," Jones mused during a Gamescom chat. "There's a handful of branching points that make a significant difference, and whether you're able to play beyond the normal timeline or not.
"Previous Dead Risings would always have modes like the Overtime mode, where you get to discover the truth behind everything that's been going on," he went on. "So there's not just the six days, we're going beyond that if you make the right story decisions. So it's not like choose-your-own-adventure crazy infinite endings, there's a finite amount, but they all [correspond to] meaningful story decisions that you make as you play through."
Jones also shed a bit of light on the game's experience and weapon customisation systems. On level up, Nick gets attribute points that can be spent on different character categories, making progress a shade less linear than in prior games. You can also spend points on different weapon categories, to relax the rules when combining items - given enough investment, you won't need to follow the recipe in order to create certain tools of warfare.
Not got the recommended ingredients for a flaming sword? Fear not - a lowly pair of scissors will do the job in a pinch. "Ultimately, you can combine anything with anything, anywhere," Jones suggested.
Last but not least, he explained how players will access the game's SmartGlass-only sidestory. Basically, Nick will stumble upon a dead military agent carrying a special flavour of PDA, capable of blasting straight through the fourth wall and hooking up with your smartphone. Read more about the SmartGlass stuff here, and check this out for the Jones take on why Dead Rising 3 is the most challenging Dead Rising yet.
