PGC NEWS

Dead Island 2, a 2023 zombie-slaying hit selling over two million copies, delivered exhilarating co-op action and cemented its place as a successful entry in the genre. Developer Deep Silver has now released the first expansion, Dead Island 2: Haus, offering players a new slice of undead mayhem. But does this DLC deliver a fresh experience, or is it just more of the same? Let’s dive in and find out.

A Shift in Tone and Setting

Dead Island 2: Haus

Dead Island 2: Haus transports players from the chaotic streets of Los Angeles to a sprawling, opulent Malibu beachfront mansion. In stark contrast to the ravaged cityscape of the base game, the initial tranquility of the villa is quickly shattered by the presence of the Kult, a sinister new cult conducting horrifying experiments. While the core gameplay remains familiar, the narrative, though still humorous, shifts towards a darker, more unsettling tone. This new direction adds a welcome layer of intrigue, though it doesn’t drastically alter the overall story arc. Accessibility remains a key strength; players can jump into Haus after completing the “The Chosen One” mission (roughly 50% through the main story) by interacting with a letter on a table near the tennis court.

A Claustrophobic Nightmare

Dead Island 2: Haus

The most significant change in Haus lies in its level design. The two primary areas, Cul-De-Sac and The Forest, introduce a claustrophobic atmosphere absent from the main game. Cul-De-Sac, a small, almost town-like area, forces players to navigate narrow houses and uncover hidden pathways. The tight spaces, combined with environmental details like bloodstains and lurking enemies, create a genuinely unnerving experience. Enemies in these areas scale to the player’s level, sometimes even exceeding it, making combat more challenging and requiring a cautious approach.

Dead Island 2: Haus

The Forest follows suit, shrouding players in darkness and limiting visibility with dense foliage. The constant threat of ambushes further intensifies the tension, creating a palpable sense of dread. This shift in environment provides a distinct contrast to the more open areas of the base game, demanding a more strategic and calculated playstyle.

Falling Short of Expectations

Dead Island 2: Haus

Despite the welcome changes in level design, Haus falls short in other areas, offering minimal innovation beyond its atmospheric setting. Enemies are largely reskinned versions of those encountered in the base game, even the bosses, who offer little more than increased health and damage.

Lack of Content and Innovation

Dead Island 2: Haus

The limited addition of only three new weapons, two of which are variations of a crossbow, quickly leads to a sense of repetition. The environmental interactions that were a highlight of the original game are underutilized, appearing only sporadically in puzzle sequences. Combat, while still visceral, lacks significant improvements and often feels repetitive. The linear nature of the DLC further contributes to this issue, resulting in a predictable and somewhat underwhelming experience.

Conclusion

Dead Island 2: Haus

Dead Island 2: Haus offers a darker, more confined zombie-slaying experience, successfully building tension through its claustrophobic environments. However, the lack of enemy variety, limited weapon additions, and underutilized environmental interactions ultimately hold it back. Clocking in at a mere two to three hours, the DLC feels more like a side story than a substantial expansion. While the change in tone and setting is refreshing, the lack of significant gameplay innovation may leave players wanting more.