Dead Rising 3 Demo at Fan Expo 2013

It’s hard to pick one thing that stuck out in my mind as the most fun thing at Fan Expo, but being among the first to demo Dead Rising 3 comes pretty close.

Slated for a launch title release for the Xbox One in November, 2013, Dead Rising 3 is set to follow in the footsteps of the other two Dead Rising games but feature a new protagonist named Nick Ramos. You control Ramos through the fictional city of Los Perdidos, California, searching for supplies, weapons and other survivors who you need to work together with in order to escape the city before an impending military strike.

At Fan Expo in Toronto on Saturday, August 24 I had the opportunity to demo the game at the Xbox One booth. Josh Bridge, the senior producer of the game was on hand to show off the games impressive playability and it’s interaction with SmartGlass.

For those who are unaware, SmartGlass is a companion application that can be used across many Microsoft platforms including Android smartphones, Windows 8 devices, iOS and certain PCs that essentially enables a second screen. In doing this, the second screen allows the user further interaction with the Xbox 360 or the new Xbox One and can change the gaming experience.

It was perhaps one of the most impressive things about the demo, watching Bridge use SmartGlass to call for backup using the tablet and the game immediately responding with a previously recruited fellow survivor. It was a seamless integration from tablet to game and the SmartGlass for Dead Rising 3 not only allows you to call for backup, but players can receive in-game updates, request air strikes and receive extra missions.

During the demo, Bridge explained that players of the game can either “play it straight or goofy”, depending on their mood. With all kinds of weapons and clothing options for Ramos to choose from, players can customize their gaming experience (even if you want to stare at Ramo’s rear end in a Borat thong… hey, we don’t judge).

Dead Rising 3 is an incredibly bloody, gory game, which is to be expected now from the franchise. Squeamish gamers might not be able to handle the sheer amount of carnage on the screen as they use various weapons and vehicles to smash through the zombie hordes. Blood covers the screen and intestines go flying as the bodies of the undead are ripped into, hacked, shot at, beaten or blown up.

The Dragon Punch in action.

Like to build stuff but hate searching for workbenches? Now you can build combo weapons and vehicles on the fly without a work bench and the stuff players can make is nothing short of amazing… and a little bit ridiculous. How about slapping a motorcycle engine together with boxing gloves and creating Dragon Punch? Ramos will yell “Shoryuken!” as he uppercuts his way through the zombie hordes. Combo some guns together to make “Jazz hands” and give those undead foes a show.

Need to get out in a hurry? A motorcycle just won’t do? Combo the motorcycle with a steamroller to create “roller hawg” and watch the blood and guts fly as Ramos mows down the throngs of the undead. The creators of the game took physics to another level though when it comes to vehicles; hitting zombies now causes vehicles to sustain damage that isn’t just cosmetic. Put the pedal to the floor to make it through a large horde or the mass of bodies might slow your car to a stop. Zombies also smash glass and hold on for rides on the car, throwing off the cars manoeuvrability.

Crushing the undead with the Roller Hawg.

While the demo was a little short, it still gave us all a good look at the open world of Dead Rising 3 and what the game will offer players. Capcom Vancouver has made it obvious that they haven’t lost their penchant for goofiness which should make the fans of the Dead Rising series breathe a sigh of relief. I’m looking forward to delving into the world a little bit more when the game comes out, especially with the use of SmartGlass. Are you?

Watch the CG trailer for Dead Rising 3 HERE