10 years… 10 years that since its announcement the title has been taking postponement after postponement. And Dambuster Studios and Deep Silver finally offer it to us! It’s here! Dead Island 2 has finally arrived on our PC and consoles. But was it worth the wait?
NOTE: We tested the game well in advance and therefore we were not on the day One patch and on its PS5 version. The only bug we had during our adventure: Bugged items, but corrected. And an NPC that did not appear in cutscene. So, nothing alarming.
Under the sun of Hell-A
Dead Island 2 is the direct sequel of the first opus. And as for this one, we will be asked to choose who will be our protagonist. To do so, we will have to choose during a plane crash. In truth, only your starting stats change and the way your character behaves during the adventure. Because the end result will remain the same for everyone.
Once you have chosen your character, you will be sent to an L.A. renamed Hell-A with some survivors. Your goal will be to find a cure and a way out of this hell for you and your little group. As you can imagine, nothing will ever go as planned and it will be a zombie cutting mess for the next few hours.
In fact, apart from the main storyline. The speech is mostly about getting anything and everything in your way without necessarily making sense with each other. Between an old person asking you to help him while his electric seat goes down or a web star asking you to help him for his next video. It’s all there to make it fun.
The worst part is that it’s all so well put together that you love the fast pace of the game that hardly offers any breathing room between the exploration and the various quests.
Far from the fine sand and yet…
You will have understood it. Dead Island 2 leaves its paradisiacal island for Los Angeles. With its share of changes. If the zones easily manage to renew the discovery and the desire for exploration. We are no longer on large areas that can be visited by vehicle. And that’s good! No more time wasted going from one side of the island to the other. Here the title is divided into independent zones that are large enough to separate the action and the various quests.
However, the 10 zones that the title offers are big enough to lose you. Between Bel-Air, Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Venice Beach. Everything is there to give you a change of scenery and offer unique areas.
However, beware that the fast travel only comes after a big ten hours at the same time as the guns. So if you missed a side quest, don’t panic, you will only have to do it at that time and get the associated loot that will be adapted to your level.
Honey, it’s going to cut.
Dead Island 2 offers a neat gameplay that is a wonderful update of the first title. You’ll only have to learn dodging and countering if you want to survive. Because yes, the opposing attacks are ultra punishing. But what a thrill to be able to put a double foot jump in the head of a zombie and see it fly at 50KM.
Fortunately, your death doesn’t totally punish you, the title is generous with save points. But it’s mostly designed for co-op and often makes you start over after your death with all that goes with it. So there’s no need to cry foul and frustrated at every death.
Because well, death often happens when you discover a new zombie. Between the stragglers, the classics, the colossus, the sprinters… You will be amazed to see the bestiary as there is something for everyone… or disgust.
Be careful, you have to think that the title is a light RPG too. Meaning that there is a system of laws, stats, XP and level. For the loot, each weapon is more and more powerful. But there is a breakage system. So you’ll have to either repair them or recycle them. You can also improve them with various modules like electricity. Basically, it’s up to you to see where you want to go.
In addition, each level up will also offer you abilities ranging from killers to Numen. But also autophage. Yes, you will be able to have skills turning you into a war machine at the expense of some stats. Often: Your health.
But every passive and active will be useful throughout the adventure. Like stunning enemies with a perfect dodge or stun after a heal. Everything is there to help you feel more comfortable throughout the adventure.
Finally, Dead Island 2 forgets its open world aspect for a semi-open world. And the bet is totally successful. We loved the adventure with the return of a familiar face. We would have liked more link between 1 and 2, but well. The strength of all this change will offer zombie dismemberments at the top. But you will also give you Fedex quests to die for. All in all it’s a big success and worth the 10 year wait.
