Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: First-Person, Horror, Zombie

Zombie games are not as prevalent nowadays when compared to the glory days of Left 4 Dead 2 and of course, the original Dead Island back in 2011. The current decade has seen the undead taking quite a step back, with perhaps only the Resident Evil remakes recently being the biggest games.

However, zombie games can be more than just survival horror, and Dead Island 2 is here to remind us of that in 2023.

Entering Hell-A

Games like Dead Island and the Dead Rising franchise gave us a different take on the zombie game genre. It focused more on the fun and mayhem of killing zombies rather than the usual survival horror mechanics where players have to scrimp on resources, manage ammo or be in fear of dying every second. Dead Island 2 brings that back and first of all, what’s unique about Dead Island 2 is despite being a first-person game, players only have access to physical melee weapons for almost the entire first half of the game.

Players will only start getting ranged shooting weapons in the second half, which is around 9 hours or potentially more into the game (it took me 9 hours but it depends on how fast you play through the game).

The best part of it all is that Dead Island 2 easily has one of the most impressive and gruesome gore systems I’ve ever seen in a horror game. I’d say that it’s on par with the recent Dead Space Remake, or arguably even better.  Zombies come apart in visceral layers of skin, fat, muscle, and bone. When you hit them or hack into them, pieces of them get chucked off.

For instance, using a bladed weapon like a machete or axe, you can decapitate limbs and heads by targeting those parts. However, what I find impressive is that even when I’m using blunt weapons like baseball bats or crowbars, hitting a zombie in the jaw can result in that jaw specifically getting dismembered.

In another instance, hitting a zombie in the rib can result in the flesh getting torn, exposing the skeletal ribcage of that zombie. It all looks amazing in execution.

In terms of mechanics, you can “maim” zombies so that they’re less dangerous without their limbs. It’s fun because then you won’t just be hacking away mindlessly, though it can still feel that way when there are too many zombies attacking at one time.

The game also offers other options during combat. These include environmental and elemental damage options. Jerry cans of oil are available around any given area, ready to be used as explosives or fuel for flaming traps. In addition, there are water cans, which you can either use to douse out fires or to electrify swarms of zombies. , and you can even create a flammable trail for more elaborate schemes. When fires get out of control, you can douse them with water.

When you add craftable elemental weapons into the mix, it can be fun to experiment with burning, electrifying and melting zombies. You can mod weapons with a variety of not only elemental mods but also mods that can increase damage or add a bunch of different effects that will help you in combat. Also, it’s worth pointing out that while weapons do break down, they don’t feel as annoying as in other games because you’ll constantly be getting better weapons as you level up.

There are multiple characters to choose from in Dead Island 2, though the only aspects that distinguish them gameplay-wise are their stats and unique skills. The story pretty much happens the same way, with the protagonist’s dialogue being different. There are no longer skill trees or specific stats to upgrade in Dead Island 2.

When you level up, you unlock new cards (every card is a new skill or ability) which you can then slot into your limited deck. This streamlined method makes it so that you spend less time upgrading your characters and puts more emphasis on the action. That might sound disappointing for heavy RPG fans, but Dead Island was never meant to be that in the first place.

Dead Island 2 is divided into several semi-open-world hubs or areas. It’s a bit strange that there’s no actual “island” setting now since you’ll be exploring the rich and swanky areas of Hollywood and the surrounding locations. While some of the settings can be generic, there are one or two highlights. My favourite area, and the obvious highlight, is Monarch Studios, a location set inside a studio backlot shooting cheesy 50s sci-fi movies and creature features. It’s a fun setting for fans of classic sci-fi and horror movies.

As for the flaws in Dead Island 2, the first-person melee combat can get repetitive, especially after several hours in a game. It can get mindless after a while, even with the various weapon mods and skills/abilities from the cards. As I previously mentioned, guns arrive late into the game, and the ammo, while not as limited as in survival horror games, is clearly meant to be reserved for special occasions (they’re still somewhat limited), with the core mechanic being the physical weapons.

Other mechanics like the ability to parry and counter zombies (which will also result in an awesome quick-time animation unique to the weapon you’re using) does stave off some of the monotony. Perhaps that’s why the game is available in online co-op. Playing with friends can make even the most repetitive combat feel fun.

Another major criticism that I have for the game is that the game is a bit too long. It took me almost around 18 hours or so to finish the game. While that can be regarded as both a pro or a con (depending on your preferences), the nature of the combat means that a shorter playthrough would have been better suited. Another aspect that makes the game “too long” is due to how unsatisfying the ending of the game is. I won’t spoil it, of course, but it just feels so anti-climactic after spending so many hours slicing and maiming thousands of zombies in the game.

What makes it even worse is that Dead Island 2 ends on a major cliffhanger, which is probably because the developer/publisher wants to release paid expansions or DLC in the future. The final boss fight doesn’t even feel like a proper boss fight, considering that it’s just another variant of an earlier enemy boss type.

Zombie Slayer

Still, Dead Island 2 was for the most part fun to play. And that’s all you really need for a game like this. We need the opposite of survival horror zombie games and Dead Island 2 provides that experience. You can just let loose, beat up zombies to your hearts’ content. Because sometimes it’s fun just to enjoy some mindless chaos without having to worry about conserving ammo or saving up resources for a rainy day situation.

PROS

• One of the visually best-looking and most impressive gore systems for zombies (ripping off skins, cutting limbs, etc).
• Combat can be satisfying and punchy, especially the melee weapons.
• While it’s not set on an island and it’s not fully open-world, the various different locations result in some highlights, including a movie studio backlot.

CONS

• Combats can get repetitive after several hours.
• No manual saves; only autosaves.
• Anti-climactic cliffhanger ending.

FINAL SCORE: 80/100

Dead Island 2 was reviewed on PC based on a review copy provided by the publisher. It is slated to launch for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 21 April 2023.