Over 18 years since the Dead Rising franchise launched exclusively on Xbox 360, the developer has now released Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster for multiple platforms. As an open-world action-adventure game, Dead Rising gives players a number of ways to progress through the game. However, there are some sure-fire tips and tricks that can guarantee an easier playthrough especially in the early to mid-game.
This starter guide has everything you need to know about early and best weapons, skill book locations, and leveling up fast in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster.
Early Gun
At the beginning of the game, you will come across a survivor at the bottom of the stairs holding off the zombie horde with a shotgun. Rather than following instructions to “Run for your life!”, try to evade the zombies just long enough for the survivor to be overwhelmed and drop his firearm, so that you can snatch it back up for yourself. As your first ranged weapon, the shotgun will come in very handy this early in the game, especially for quickly taking down Psychopaths that grant access to even more weapons, both melee and ranged.
Early Melee Weapon
If you notice any mannequins around the mall, grab it and break it down into its component pieces till you can get a hold of the torso. This part can be used as a very effective melee weapon especially in the early game, before you acquire the Small Chainsaw.
Weapon Durability
With durability a persistent consideration in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, be sure to acquire the relevant skill books in order to preserve your weaponry for as long as possible.
- Criminal Biography
- 3X edged weapons durability
- Sir Book-a-Lot in Wonderland Plaza 2F
- Engineering
- 3X tools and construction weapons durability
- Bachman’s Bookporium in Paradise Plaza 1F
- Entertainment
- 3X entertainment weapons durability
- Bachman’s Bookporium in Paradise Plaza 1F
- Hobby
- 3X hobby weapons durability
- Contemporary Reading in Paradise Plaza
- Interior Design
- 3X interior design weapons durability
- Bachman’s Bookporium in Paradise Plaza 1F
- Lifestyle Magazine
- 3X household weapons durability
- The Sinister Read in Entrance Plaza 2F
- Sports
- 3X sporting weapons durability
- Contemporary Reading in Paradise Plaza
- Travel
- 3X travel and shopping weapons durability
- Everyone Luvs Books in Entrance Plaza
Keep in mind that many weapons will respawn in their original locations.
Best Melee Weapon
The Small Chainsaw is hands down the best melee weapon you can get a hold of in Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. It can be acquired from Adam the Clown, one of the Psychopath bosses found in Wonderland Plaza.
As a day 1 scoop, wait for Otis’ call at 9 PM, and head to the plaza to confront Adam. The shotgun you acquired early in the game will come in handy here. Once you have acquired the two Small Chainsaws that Adam drops on the ground, maximize their longevity by also getting a hold of two of the durability skill books mentioned above, specifically: Criminal Biography, and Engineering 1. The effect of the books will stack when held in your inventory, making the Small Chainsaws last much, much longer for maximum carnage. When they inevitably break, simply return to the spawn location for more.
Unlimited Molotov Cocktails
The Molotov Cocktail is an effective crowd control throwable when facing down zombie hordes. The method for acquiring an unlimited quantity returns from the original. Beginning in the morning of day 3 with a call from Otis, seek out the Psychopath boss Paul the Arsonist, located in the Casual Gals store in Wonderland Park.
When you beat him, wait for the cutscene, then grab the Fire Extinguisher and douse out the fire he is engulfed in, to save his life. Converse with Paul in order to recruit him, and return both him and the two other survivors in the store back to the Security Room.
Later in the day, expect a call from Otis telling you to speak with Paul again. Back at the Security Room, Paul will inform you that you now have access to a never-ending supply of Molotov Cocktails, for as long as he remains here.
Level Up Fast
If you want to level up quickly, your best bet is getting a hold of as many Prestige Points boosting skill books as you can find before performing the associated PP earning tasks:
- Horror Novel 1
- Get a 25% boost to PP resulting from defeating zombies.
- The Sinister Read in Entrance Plaza 2F
- Horror Novel 2
- Get a 25% boost to PP resulting from defeating zombies.
- Bachman’s Bookporium in Paradise Plaza 1F
- Camera 1
- Get a 25% boost to PP resulting from taking photographs.
- Contemporary Reading in Paradise Plaza
- Camera 2
- Get a 100% boost to PP resulting from taking photographs.
- Scoop: Photographer’s Pride in Paradise Plaza
- Wartime Photography
- Get a 25% boost to PP resulting from taking photographs.
- Everyone Luvs Books in Entrance Plaza
- World News
- Get a 25% boost to PP resulting from rescuing survivors.
- The Sinister Read in Entrance Plaza
Note that the effect of all these skill books can be stacked, and your only real limitation will be the capacity of your inventory at any given time.
Farm Prestige Points
The absolute best method for Prestige Point farming has always been running over zombies with a vehicle. Unfortunately, the vehicles will inevitably start to smoke and then eventually explode after a while. On the other hand, loading screens will reset the vehicles to their initial spawn locations, at full durability. Abuse this mechanic to your advantage:
Head for the red convertible located in the lot of Public Parking. Get in and drive down to the Maintenance Tunnels. There are two additional vehicles that can be acquired from down here. Preserve the convertible as a fast mode of travel for now, and drive relatively safely to either of the two other vehicles, one in the north-west under the grocery store, and the other in the east under Paradise Plaza. It does not matter which you go to first, as you will be taking a circular route to eventually end up back at the convertible.
Drive the first vehicle through the zombie horde, farming all the Prestige Points you can as the vehicle deteriorates, with the intent of reaching as close as possible to the next vehicle before it inevitably explodes. Repeat with the next vehicle, this time attempting to return to the convertible. Once the second vehicle has exploded as well, drive the convertible into as many zombies as you can until it is on its last legs too, then exit the tunnels back into Public Parking via the loading screen. This action will reset the convertible as well as the other vehicles, allowing you to start the farming process all over again from the top.
Be sure to collect the PP-bonus awarding skill books mentioned above, for a total stacked boost of 50% to all zombie kills, before beginning this method for maximum efficiency.
Those are some of the best starter tips for playing Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster.