Best Playable Characters In Dead Rising

Key Takeaways

Frank West is the best playable character in Dead Rising due to his resourcefulness, compassion, and likability.
Not all playable characters are equal in Dead Rising; some like Connor McMann stand out for their altruistic traits and reliability.
Characters like Nick Ramos may lack distinctive personalities, while characters like Chuck Greene are relatable due to their motivations.

As a seasoned survivor of countless zombie apocalypses, I must say that Frank West takes the cake as the most iconic character in the Dead Rising series. His life experiences are nothing short of extraordinary – from being a war photographer to a television host, and now a fearless zombie slayer. He’s the kind of guy who’d dive headfirst into a horde of undead, camera in hand, just to get that perfect shot.

Which character from the Dead Rising series would be most beneficial during a zombie apocalypse? Several characters have been playable across different games, while some are exclusive to side quests, downloadable content, or multiplayer sessions.

Each character possesses a distinct appeal, even those exclusively designed for multiplayer avatars appear within the series’ narratives as NPCs. However, it’s important to note that not every playable character in Dead Rising is equally favored. Players have their preferred characters for valid reasons, and some are debatably superior to others due to various factors.

11 Jordan Maxwell

A High School Sweetheart

In the game “Dead Rising 4,” Jordan is initially introduced as a Non-Player Character (NPC) where she first interacts with Frank West at the Willamette Jr. High School. Throughout the narrative, she pops up a few times, proving helpful but not particularly standing out in memory.

In the multiplayer mode of Dead Rising 4, it’s possible to command Jordan as a playable character. However, it’s important to note that among all available characters, Jordan isn’t the strongest or most favored choice for players.

10 Connor McMann

The Altruist

Dead Rising 4 (Multiplayer)

In the game “Dead Rising 4,” Connor occasionally appears throughout the main storyline, working together with Frank and assisting other survivors. Although you can’t control him in the campaign, he becomes an attractive option when it comes to choosing characters for multiplayer mode.

Beyond just being selfless, it’s also important to note that he’s the sole multiplayer character equipped with an initial healing item. This makes him quite dependable in risky circumstances.

9 Isaac Tremaine

A Natural Born Poet

Dead Rising 4 (Multiplayer)

In the game Dead Rising 4, Isaac could be seen as one of the most intriguing multiplayer-exclusive characters. Throughout the storyline, he initially positions himself as an adversary to the protagonist, Frank, serving under Tom Pickton. However, a shift occurs where he aids Frank in his fight against Pickton, forming alliances with Jordan, Connor, and other militia personnel.

One intriguing trait about Isaac is that the game subtly reveals his affection for poetry within its storyline. Furthermore, it emphasizes this by allowing him to recite verses during multiplayer sessions. This distinctive element of his character sets him apart from other characters confined to multiplayer play.

8 Dick Baker

Nick’s Best Friend

In the game “Dead Rising 3,” Dick serves as the primary assistant for Nick Ramos. Throughout the game’s campaign, he finds himself stuck in Los Perdidos alongside Nick and the rest of the group. When players decide to join a multiplayer session, they assume the character of Dick instead.

A clever approach was taken to incorporate a non-player character (NPC), Dick, who always seems to be around, regardless of whether another player is present. His backstory expands in the Dead Rising 3 prequel comic, showing that he rescued Nick prior to joining his group and eventually forming a friendship with him.

7 Hunter Thibodeaux

A Biker Boss

Dead Rising 3: Chaos Rising

Initially, Hunter makes his debut in the game ‘Dead Rising 3’ as the leader of a motorcycle gang with psychopathic tendencies, serving as an initial boss fight. Later on, in the ‘Chaos Rising’ DLC expansion, he takes center stage and becomes the main character. The DLC unfolds the story that takes place just before his confrontation with Nick.

In the first-person perspective as a gamer:

6 Adam Kane

A Rogue Agent

Dead Rising 3: Operation Broken Eagle

Adam Kane is a staunchly patriotic American, who has served in the military extensively. He’s prepared to follow commands, regardless of potential casualties, at least when first introduced in the Dead Rising 3 campaign. However, in the Operation Broken Eagle DLC, we get a glimpse into more aspects of his character.

His dedicated approach to his mission is the same. He relentlessly pursues the president even after the rest of his team is killed. Then, in the latter part of the story, he ignores orders to preserve the truth about the government’s activities in Los Perdidos. This is later shown to have positive consequences when he meets Brad Park, giving his death a little meaning and nobility.

5 Angel Quijano

A Fallen Angel

Dead Rising 3: Fallen Angel

In the narrative of Dead Rising 3, Angel Quijano was initially a minor member of Red’s gang. However, the downloadable content titled “Fallen Angel” provides a detailed backstory for her and depicts her heroic, self-sacrificing end at the Burgess-Dawson Hotel. In this DLC, players assume control over Angel and experience the events culminating in her death.

Her fight centers on the people of Los Perdidos, who are being rounded up and either killed or captured by the military. After rescuing the main bulk of the captives, Angel sets a trap for the soldiers. She leaks the hotel address to the soldiers, pretends that the freed captives are there, and then sets up an ambush. Unfortunately, she eventually dies in the ensuing fight. Her death is treated as a minor and forgettable tragedy in the main campaign, but the DLC story helped elevate her character with her noble sacrifice.

4 Brad Park

An Agent Of Change

Dead Rising 3: The Last Agent

Brad Park makes his debut in the downloadable content for Dead Rising 3, titled The Last Agent. Initially, he is portrayed as a soldier for ZDC. However, upon learning about their heinous actions, he decides to betray his own organization. Brad is a resilient survivor who manages to escape the chaotic events in Los Perdidos.

As part of his escape, he recovers evidence of the government’s wrongdoing from Adam Kane. This is one of the key factors in him renouncing his former government loyalty. This changes later, as Brad appears again in Dead Rising 4 as a partner to Frank West, rejoining the ZDC and becoming a colonel.

3 Nick Ramos

Nick The Mechanic

Dead Rising 3

Among the three primary characters in the Dead Rising series, Nick Ramos appears to have the least unique persona. His defining traits are primarily being a mechanic who can create weapons, and his enigmatic past that he himself cannot recall, which leaves little opportunity for him to stand out as an iconic figure.

He skillfully portrays the reluctant hero, and his past is cleverly connected to the Santa Cabreza event, which serves as the foundation for the plot in the original Dead Rising. Instead of Frank West’s witty and sarcastic persona, he provides a more serious, stoic character.

2 Chuck Greene

Father Of The Year

Among the Dead Rising characters, Chuck could be the one that resonates most with people. Although it’s hard to envision oneself as a war photographer caught up in absurd peril, it’s far more relatable to understand his motivation for safeguarding a family member or cherished one. This is essentially what defines Chuck: he’s an ordinary man struggling in extraordinary circumstances, all because he wants to protect his daughter. For him, the goal of saving other survivors and escaping the predicament is merely a means to achieve that primary objective.

Furthermore, the tale of his falsely accused predicament and his struggle to clear his name gives the character a sympathetic, “underdog” appeal. Additionally, his past, hinting at imperfections in his family-man image, only serves to make him more endearing.

1 Frank West

The Main Man

Frank West is a well-known character from the “Dead Rising” series, often reintroduced when the games require a boost in popularity. He made his debut as the lead character in the original “Dead Rising” and its Wii spinoff titled “Chop Till You Drop”. Since then, he’s been featured in “Dead Rising 2: Off the Record”, “Case West”, and most recently, “Dead Rising 4”.

He’s not just a main character, but a highly capable one who outshines the other stars in the series. He’s depicted as someone ready to face danger head-on to achieve his objectives. His strength, resourcefulness, and compassion make him a very appealing character. Frank is indeed the most remarkable character in the Dead Rising series, which is why he’s been featured in other game franchises like Super Smash Bros. and Marvel vs. Capcom.

2024-09-26 16:14