Playing Dead Rising for the first time

[Jayson]

I like that you can "save and quit" and then start all over with your same level. Makes those early missions easier.

When I start, I grind a bit. I take a few photos for pp points of zombies and the few places that have the pp marker, then start the story sequence where the zombies break in. Then go up to the roof, rescue the old couple, take a pic when they run to each other, rescue them, save on the couch. Rinse, Repeat.

This will let you level up pretty quickly.

[Erik_Twice]

This kind of saving system is so obsolte it's not funny. Hell, PC games have even a fast save feature and you don't lose anything.

[Niode]

The save system isn't the point. Yes it's frustrating but if you could save anywhere on that game it would make it far too easy. Yes it artificially lengthens the game but I don't think it damages the game from a playability point of view since the game is so short and is meant to be played from start to finish in a short amount of time over and over.

Before you judge the game as archaic or some of other nonsense, maybe you should actually play the game from start to finish and then if you still don't like it, fair enough, at least you had a go, and the game probably isn't for you.

[MrPopo]

In my day you'd be playing Dragon Quest and could only save at the King. And we liked it!

[RadarScope1]

Thanks for the tips, guys, I'm figuring it out. The "save and quit" option is terribly misleading. It's fine that it's in there, given the structure of the game, but it should be named something else. At least it's a mistake you only have to make once.

I can see how the save system is divisive. I personally don't mind it. Since the game is meant to be played several times through, you never have to worry about getting everything. So long as you aren't dumb enough to save when you're in a tough spot (like having one health, no weapons and a horde outside the storefront or something), then you're fine.

I can understand how someone might want a passive checkpoint system or a menu option. That's how games are these days. Mr. Popo's comment about Dragon Quest is right on target - that's exactly what it reminds me of. It's really a throwback to old-school 8-bit or arcade design: a short game that must be played many times in order to get the most out of it. I've been able to save a few survivors but I can tell I won't be able to save them all. The Clown boss kicked my ass to pieces so I won't be doing that again. I'm going to focus on beating the main storyline the first time, then I'll go back and start layering a few more objectives on top of that on subsequent play-throughs.

It kind of reminds me of how people who love cult movies, like zombie flicks, will watch them over and over and memorize them. This game kind of demands that level of attachment out of the player.

[the7k]

Well, I dunno. Having a Quick Save in Dead Rising, while convenient, would kinda be like having a Quick Save in any given Beat 'Em Up or 2D Fighter. It's just supposed to be a quick-burst sorta game.

[RadarScope1]

Well, I've made it up to the boss fight in the supermarket and I'm not sure I'm going to continue. I've gotten a pretty good taste of what the game is about, and I think it's just too frustrating to continue. I can tell that pretty much all the boss fights are like this. They have insane amounts of health, can knock 15 feet on your ass with a single shot and I personally find it damn near impossible to aim any of the ranged weapons because the controls are cumbersome and because Frank constantly wants to point his gun in a different direction than he's initially facing when I hit R2. By the time I've SLOWLY swung around to try to get a bead on him, he's knocked me on my ass and taken a 1/3 of my health. I unloaded 60 fucking bullets into the dude's brains and he doesn't die?

There's challenge and then there's total frustration and for me DR is definitely the latter.

[Ack]

I remember always doing my best against bosses when I didn't use firearms. As a general rule I always finish the supermarket boss by throwing soda cans at him, and though I've killed the clown multiple times, I've done it every time by connecting with a bowling ball toss. I remember the supermarket guy being tough the first time I played him, though.

[RadarScope1]

Yeah I guess there just kind of a mental disconnect going on with me and this game. Why would a hockey puck or thrown soda can do more damage than a handgun?? And I started to pick up from the animation that I only had a certain amount of times I could shoot hm and he'd still take damage. I just hate shit like that. If he has flesh and I have a gun, he ought to be taking damage every time I connect. Oh well, I guess it's all a matter of figuring out the pattern.

Every walkthru I find on YouTube is with a maxed out level 50 guy, which doesn't help me at all. I have level 9 character, almost 10. I guess I could restart at that level but what's the fun in that?

[AwesomeMonstar]

i think there's some way to stall him or something, also you may be able to jump on the aisles and there is a shit ton of food around you to help you stay alive.