Dead Rising is set in the fictional town of Willamette, Colorado, USA. The game takes place in the aftermath of a zombie outbreak caused by a mysterious virus. The town is now under quarantine, and the player takes on the role of a survivor navigating the town, fighting off hordes of zombies, and trying to survive. Zombies are slow, mindless and can only die from their brain being destroyed. Some Survivors are dangerous and insane referred to as Psychopaths. Most survivors are normal.