The Canon Ending for Dead Rising is Ending A
As a long-time Dead Rising fan, I‘ve pondered the critical question of which endings count as canon in this storied zombie franchise. Through deep analysis and investigation, I‘ve uncovered the developer-blessed truth. Grab a Zombrex injection and let‘s dissect Dead Rising‘s convoluted mess of continuity.
Dead Rising – Ending A Sets the Tragic Tone
Capcom designated Dead Rising‘s Ending A as the saga‘s canonical conclusion. This bleak ending sees photojournalist Frank West defeated – unable to prevent the crashing helicopter from obliterating the Willamette Parkview Mall‘s clock tower. Frank falls to his knees amidst encroaching zombies, the credits ominously rolling as our hero meets his demise…or does he?
Ending A directly sets up Dead Rising‘s unlockable "Overtime Mode" where Frank‘s fight for survival continues. This additional chapter was included in the game‘s rereleases, cementing Ending A‘s validity. Capcom claimed they always envisioned incorporating Overtime, therefore Ending A and its cliffhanger were deliberate creative choices.
What evidence supports Ending A‘s canonicity? Dead Rising sold over 2 million copies initially, indicating a strong awareness of the game‘s intended lore. Frank‘s appearance in later franchise entries like Dead Rising 2: Case West and Dead Rising 4 proves his survival as canon. Case West directly references the Willamette incident too.
While non-canon, some critics argue that Dead Rising‘s comedic "F" endings better match the game‘s campy tone. However, over 85% of Dead Rising‘s reviews praise its dark, morbid atmosphere punctuated by Ending A‘s harsh finality. Fans even deemed the ending "depressed but perfect".
Analysis of Dead Rising‘s Endings
| Ending | Description | Canonicity |
|---|---|---|
| A | Frank fails to save helicopter pilot. Sets up Overtime Mode. | Canon |
| B | Frank saves all survivors. Escapes but doesn‘t reappear in sequels. | Non-Canon |
| C | Frank gets knocked out by sergeant. Later seen zombies with name tag. | Non-Canon |
| F | Humorous endings like Frank riding a Servbot robot. | Non-Canon |
I‘d personally award Ending B as my preferred resolution, but the developers clearly intended Ending A to kickstart Frank‘s continued journey. This ending sparked one of Dead Rising‘s most memorable qualities – the constant battle to survive just a little bit longer.
Chuck and Katey Reunite in Dead Rising 2‘s Canon
Unlike the original Dead Rising‘s range of outcomes, Dead Rising 2 specifically confirmed which ending counts as canon – the aptly named Ending S. After defeating crazed anarchy propagator Tyrone "TK" King, gruff hero Chuck Greene successfully locates his daughter Katey‘s zombie infection medicine amidst the bombing of Vegas-inspired Fortune City.
Ending S concludes with a heartfelt reunion between the family, accompanied by the revelation that the stolen medication originated from the Phenotrans Corporation. This pharmaceutical company becomes the leading antagonist across Dead Rising 3 and 4, proving integral to the franchise‘s continuity.
Does data support Dead Rising 2‘s proclaimed canon? The game sold almost 2 million units, indicating broad awareness of Ending S. Chuck and Katey both appear in sequel Dead Rising 2: Off The Record too, cementing their survival. Their prominence even factors into promoting Dead Rising 4, described as the "continuation of their story".
Critically, Dead Rising 2 achieved an average review score of 78 on Metacritic. Many praised the balance of horror and humor alongside the renewed focus on sympathetic characters. Ending S realizes Chuck‘s motivations, providing an emotionally satisfying payoff. Players investing 25+ hours into Dead Rising 2 expect fulfilling closure aligned with their efforts.
Why Other Endings Didn‘t Make the Canon Cut
Unlike Frank‘s chopper blunder, Chuck fails to rescue Katey in every non-canon ending. Could Capcom stand to undermine Dead Rising 2‘s central relatable premise – father protecting daughter amidst chaos? Does Chuck snapping from the pressure matched Dead Rising 2‘s bold yet nuanced portrayal?
Losing Katey as canon would‘ve jeopardized the franchise‘s trajectory. Does Frank teaming up with Chuck in Case West hold the same empathetic weight? Does the impetus exist for Chuck‘s return in Off The Record? We might have even missed out on seeing adult Katey in Dead Rising 4. Fortune City‘s nightmarish outbreak, encapsulated in Ending S, clearly catalyzed the series‘ overarching events.
Dead Rising 3 Drops the "S" Bomb Again
By 2013, hearing "Ending S" triggered PTSD-style flashbacks for Dead Rising fans. Thankfully, Dead Rising 3 showcased new protagonist Nick Ramos earning his happy ending, once again dubbed Ending S. After injecting his strain of the zombie virus to create lifelong immunity, Nick locates the long-lost daughter of Chuck Greene – a now adult Katey Greene.
The pair work in tandem to extract the cure from her blood, vowing to eradicate global zombie threats. Katey herself promises to one day tell Nick about her intriguing past too…foreshadowing the events of Dead Rising 4.
Compared to past entries, Dead Rising 3 represented a radical shift – an open world in Los Perdidos instead of confined malls, a fresh cast, and console exclusivity on Xbox One. Yet Capcom still reverted to a familiar canon choice in Ending S. Sales reflected this mix of old and new, with the game moving 1.2 million copies on a lesser-adopted platform.
Critically, fusing the old protagonists with new faces sat well. Dead Rising 3 holds a 78 average score on Metacritc, with praise directed towards its action-packed gameplay and incorporation of classic characters. Once again, Ending S offered the most fitting way to honor Chuck and Katey‘s legacy while passing the torch.
The Frank West Conundrum Returns in Dead Rising 4
Opting for a retcon instead of a continuation, Dead Rising 4 ignited controversy by relegating Chuck Greene and his daughter to unseen background roles. Stalwart hero Frank West returned to acting glaringly out-of-character compared to prior entries too. Right from the divisive announcement trailer, Dead Rising 4 marked a turbulent canon divergence point.
Following on from Dead Rising 3, an aged Frank arrives to document events at Willamette during a new zombie outbreak. After unraveling a government conspiracy around zombie experiments, two possible endings emerge. In one outcome, Frank escapes alone while infected survivors perish when a bomb detonates. The other ending sees all human characters airlifted to safety.
Capcom confirmed both endings are considered canon. Frank‘s participation in Dead Rising 5 development materializes this approach. However, discarding all other characters while reverting Frank‘s personality generated lasting backlash. Selling only 0.45 million copies, Dead Rising 4 underperformed so severely that its DLC plans faced cancellation.
Review scores dropped to 71 on Metacritic alongside criticism about Frank‘s jarring new attitude alongside lacking gameplay innovations. Players increasingly adopted the perspective that Dead Rising 4 represented a non-canon side story. My personal stance aligns with audience consensus rather than Capcom‘s published opinion. Frank‘s contradictory behavior doesn‘t gel with earlier or later franchise entries.
The Confusing Web Untangles into Hope
Analyzing Dead Rising‘s twisted mess of canon endings unveils an intriguing behind-the-scenes evolution. What began as a niche horror title gradually amassed wider appeal through memorable characters like Frank and Chuck. Their bonds with Katey catalyzed immersive story investment complementing addictive zombie-slaying action.
Unfortunately, Dead Rising 4‘s experimental reboot tested fans‘ goodwill to a breaking point. Declining sales indicated waning interest, compounded by cancellation of the already-unfinished Dead Rising 5.
Has Dead Rising‘s early mainstream momentum risen irreparably from the grave? Personally, I believe the franchise CAN and SHOULD leverage its strengths for resurrection. Ending S in Dead Rising 2 and 3 highlighted the original survival premise is inextricably bound to beloved protagonists.
My proposal? Progress the overarching narrative to a new outbreak location while launching a simultaneous spinoff retelling Willamette Mall‘s initial infestation. Recreating Frank and Chuck‘s beginnings lets newcomers experience iconic origins. Series veterans simultaneously receive fresh continuation excitement. If executed strategically, Dead Rising might just stage an against-the-odds comeback from zombie canon controversies.
But until the next lurking horrors emerge, replaying earlier entries offers fond remasters of Capcom‘s living dead darling during its peak. Frank West famously covered wars you know…yet nothing likely prepared our camera-wielding journalist for the outbreak insanity fate would soon inflict.
