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Dead Island 2’s long-awaited release in 2023 finally brought the zombie-slaying action to players after nearly a decade in development hell. First announced in 2014, the game’s journey involved multiple development studios, from Techland (creators of Dying Light) and Yager to Sumo Digital, before ultimately landing with Dambuster Studios in 2019. But does this tumultuous development cycle translate to a worthwhile experience? Let’s dive into the sun-soaked, zombie-infested streets of Los Angeles and find out.

A Vibrant Take on the Undead Apocalypse

Set a decade after the original Dead Island, Dead Island 2 transports players to a quarantined Los Angeles teeming with the undead. Players choose from six playable “Slayers” – Bruno, Carla, Dani, Ryan, Amy, and Jacob – each with unique voice acting and dialogue, adding personality and flavor to the narrative. While much of the dialogue is delivered through internal monologues, it effectively distinguishes each Slayer and makes replaying with different characters a more engaging experience.

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Unlike the grim, oppressive atmospheres of games like Dying Light 2 or Resident Evil 4, Dead Island 2 embraces a vibrant, almost comedic tone. The supporting characters are often quirky and lighthearted, with dialogue geared towards humor. However, the game doesn’t shy away from developing some of these seemingly superficial characters into more complex figures. For example, the timid assistant Michael Anders displays unwavering loyalty to actress Emma Jaunt, while the eccentric ex-pilot Patton, haunted by his past, remains eager to help those in need. This thoughtful character development adds depth and encourages exploration through side quests.

Visceral Zombie Combat

Dead Island 2’s most compelling feature is its combat system. The meticulously crafted character models and physics engine allow for incredibly satisfying dismemberment. While limb-severing mechanics have appeared in other horror titles like Dead Space and Resident Evil 2 Remake, Dead Island 2’s implementation stands out due to the relative fragility of the zombies. Even a light swing of a crowbar can send body parts flying, making each encounter a gruesome spectacle.

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Players have access to light and charged attacks with all melee weapons. Light attacks are swift and effective with bladed weapons, while charged attacks with blunt instruments can send zombies reeling. Adding further depth to the combat is the weapon crafting system, which allows players to imbue their weapons with elemental effects like fire, electricity, and caustic chemicals. These effects interact dynamically with the environment, creating opportunities for strategic play, such as electrocuting zombies standing in water or igniting explosive barrels for crowd control.

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A Playground of Undead Mayhem

Beyond weapon customization, players can also modify their Slayer’s abilities through skill cards earned through side quests and story progression. These skills range from devastating drop kicks to evasive dashes. Later, players unlock “Fury Mode,” a temporary power-up that significantly boosts damage and attack speed.

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Dead Island 2 features a semi-open world structure, dividing Los Angeles into distinct districts. Each area offers a wealth of content for exploration, including numerous side quests that provide experience points and further character development, as well as “Lost & Found” quests that challenge players with puzzles and treasure hunts, rewarding them with rare and powerful unique and legendary weapons.

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Narrative Shortcomings

While the gameplay shines, Dead Island 2’s narrative suffers from a convoluted plot with jarring twists and shallow character development. Plot points are frequently introduced and then abandoned as the player progresses through different areas. Conflicts are often resolved too easily, with simple apologies or explanations that feel unearned. This issue becomes more pronounced in the later chapters, where the story feels rushed and underdeveloped, leading to a frustratingly disjointed experience. The introduction of new characters in the late game further complicates the narrative, adding unnecessary confusion with unclear motivations.

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Frustrating Mechanics

While the melee combat is well-executed, Dead Island 2 includes several mechanics that feel tacked on and often detrimental to the gameplay experience. Quick Time Events (QTEs) are frequent, forcing players to mash buttons to escape zombie grabs. These QTEs lock the camera perspective, leaving players vulnerable to attacks from other zombies with little recourse other than to complete the QTE as quickly as possible. The game’s emphasis on melee combat is further reinforced by the underwhelming ranged weapons. Guns are weak, feel unsatisfying to use, and ammunition is scarce. They are primarily useful for triggering environmental hazards from a distance, but melee weapons generally outperform them in almost every situation, even throwing melee weapons often proves more effective than firing a gun.

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Conclusion

Dead Island 2 delivers a visceral and entertaining zombie-slaying experience with a vibrant and unique take on the genre. The combat is satisfying, and the world offers plenty to explore. However, the convoluted narrative and frustrating mechanics hold the game back from its full potential. While the long development cycle may have contributed to these issues, Dead Island 2 ultimately offers a fun, albeit flawed, romp through the undead-infested streets of Los Angeles.