Dead Island 2 is one of those games that has faced a number of delays in recent times. Since its announcement in 2014, the game has changed creators more than once and faced many challenges in the development process. After keeping the fans waiting for nearly a decade, it does seem that Deep Silver’s Dambuster Studios has gotten this much-awaited game back on track.
The original Dead Island was a success for the Deep studio, with more than 5 million copies being sold at the time of its release in 2011. A brand new trailer showcasing Dead Island 2‘s gameplay specifics was released recently. It appears the game will be offering more bloodshed and thrills than its predecessor with a new environment and a cast of playable characters.
Battling zombies in LA
Dead Island 2 is set in Los Angeles which immediately creates a totally different atmosphere than its predecessor which was set on Banoi Island in Australia. The story of the game happens a few months following the events of Dead Island. You’ll be playing as a survivor of a deadly zombie virus that’s spreading across LA. Teaming up with other survivors, you need to stop the epidemic from spreading as you battle the zombies roaming the city.
The first game was action-packed, playing a big role in changing people’s perspectives in melee combat and gunplay features. Similar to its prequel, Dead Island 2 appears to follow the same path, providing different weapons for players to choose from, like hammers, swords, and DIY-modified gear. Of course, players can also choose pistols, rifles, and other firearms, or just plain-old hand-to-hand combat when fighting zombies. Aside from weapons, players can modify weapons and create them in their style using a crafting system.
The game also has an interesting take on the zombie game genre; specifically, the bite. Choosing to get bitten gives characters the unique ability to temporarily turn into zombies. It appears to be a useful tool that makes the battle simple and allows you to defeat the zombies with ease. Another interesting mechanic in Dead Island 2 is the elemental damage system. Recently released gameplay clips show the combination of fire and electric damage, which has the ability to kill zombies in different ways. Electrical hits can make the zombies weaker and slow them down while fire elements cause complete damage. Playing with these elements and features will prove to be crucial as you progress further into the game.
What to expect
Dead Island 2 is a first-person open-world game where the players can freely roam around the city and help others. There will be no drivable vehicles though, which means players will need to go on foot for the majority of the game. Deep Silver has also revealed that the zombies will be of different varieties, each with their own mutations and attacking styles.
The game features six characters for the players to choose from, an increase from the original game’s four. Each of those six characters in Dead Island 2 has its own special qualities. There’s also a new skill system that allows players to customize their character’s skill set.
Buying the game
Dead Island 2 was initially slated for a worldwide launch on February 3. However, it was pushed back until the developers finally launched the game worldwide on April 21. When it comes to availability, Deep Silver announced that it has no plans to skip any of the platforms. Players can look forward to playing this game across their PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox series. The game was available for pre-order, featuring five different editions: standard or day one edition, deluxe edition, pulp edition, gold edition, and hell-A edition.
The standard (Day One) edition is available at $70 for all platforms, including PS4 and Xbox One. However, PC users will be getting a little advantage, as they can purchase the standard version for just $60. This edition contains the base game but players who pre-ordered it will be rewarded with the “Memories of Banoi” pack. This includes the Banoi war club, a personal space skill card, and a balanced Weapon Perk.
The Deluxe Edition will be available only digitally at $75 for all platforms (PS4, Xbox One, PS 5, Xbox Series X/S). PC users can purchase this for just $65. Along with the features included in the standard version, Dead Island 2‘s deluxe edition will also consist of the Golden Weapons Pack and Character Packs 1 and 2.
The Pulp edition costs $70 which is strangely the same as Dead Island 2‘s standard edition. Unfortunately, PC users won’t have access to this version since it’s only accessible in physical formats. In addition to the features mentioned in the standard and deluxe editions, this consists of the Pulp Weapons Pack. This pack has the Homewrecker hammer and an “eye-opener” pitchfork.
The Gold edition of Dead Island 2 is the most expensive digital version, coming in at $80 for PC and $90 for consoles. This edition includes everything from the previous editions. It also includes a Golden Weapons pack and an extension pass. The pass includes two more story chapters that will be released some days after the launch date.
The Hell-A edition is the most expensive physical version of Dead Island 2. It is available at $100 for all PS4, PS5, and Xbox One systems. Along with all the previous editions’ features, this comes with a wide range of digital items and physical bonuses. This includes an exclusive Steelbook case, a Venice Beach travel map, and two pin badges.
Conclusion
Overall, Dead Island 2 seems to offer more action and thrills when compared to its predecessor. The fans have high hopes for this zombie sequel to carry the legacy of its predecessor forward. With an updated storyline and new mechanics, the game has almost everything that can keep the players engaged.
Photo credits: The images used are owned by Deep Silver and have been provided for press usage.
