Dead Island 2

Dead Island 2 is the second main installment in a series of zombie apocalypse action games which originated in 2011. Unlike the first game, which was created by Polish studio Techland, the second game, announced back in 2014, belongs to Deep Silver. After losing the rights to the franchise, the original team instead focused on the Dying Light series.

The project has frequently changed hands over the years. First it was worked on by Yager Development (also responsible for the cult classic Spec Ops: The Line), then taken over by Sumo Digital, until it was finished by Dumbuster Studios (the developers of Homefront: The Revolution).

Plot

Dead Island 2 is set after the series' first installment. The wildly spreading zombie virus has reached California. The military failed to regain control over the situation and withdrew from Los Angeles. The city was quarantined, its residents left to die.

Some citizens, however, turn out to be immune to zombie bites - rather than zombifying them, the infection grants them supernatural abilities. We play as one such survivor.

Mechanics

Dead Island 2 makes use of the first-person perspective (FPP). We start the game by choosing one of six playable characters, each with their own personality, unique dialogue and skillsets. Afterwards, the gameplay proper begins.

The game's open world is a vast city divided into smaller locations. There are plenty of distinctive places to visit in Los Angeles, such as Beverly Hills and Venice Beach. Throughout the game we complete story quests and various side quests.

Along the way we slaughter hordes of undead, wielding various melee weapons and firearms. Aside from weak cannon fodder we'll face some much more powerful specimens.

By progressing through the game we develop our heroes, gain new abilities and upgrade the characters via collecting special cards. We can also increase their combat capabilities by acquiring better gear. The game's built-in crafting system lets us infuse weapons with additional effects, creating weapons such as electric machetes.

Game modes

Dead Island 2 supports singleplayer and online co-op for up to three players.

Technical aspects

Dead Island 2 boasts high quality visuals. The zombies and the FLESH system allowing us to gruesomely dismember them are especially appealing, though the locations are nothing to sneeze at either.

Last updated on 22 February 2024