From release date to story, gameplay, and everything else, learn all the details about Dead Island 2 in this article below.

Dead Island 2 is the upcoming action role-playing game that has been in development for a long time. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Dead Island 2. This includes its release date, story, gameplay features, characters, weapons, and more. 

With a range of new characters, combat features, and gameplay mechanics, Dead Island 2 promises to be an exciting addition to the series. So, let’s dive in and explore everything we know about Dead Island 2 so far.

Dead Island 2 Release Date

After years of delays and multiple changes in development teams, Dead Island 2 is set to finally release on April 21, 2023. Originally set for a February release, the game was in delay once again but recently achieved Gold status. This made the developers move the release date forward by a week. Fans of the series can now look forward to diving into the world of Dead Island 2. They can take on hordes of zombies in just a few short weeks.

Platforms 

Dead Island 2 is gearing up for its much-awaited console release on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, as well as on PC. On PC it will be exclusively available on the Epic Games Store at launch. But do not worry if you’re still holding onto your trusty PS4 or Xbox One. This is because the game will also be making its way onto these consoles on April 21. What’s more, the game is breaking new ground with its Alexa Game Control compatibility. This allows players to take on the zombie hordes with their voice commands, sans controller.

Dead Island 2 Story

Get ready for some serious undead action as the game takes a drastic turn by moving away from the Banoi Archipelago to the mean streets of Los Angeles. The game calls it, “Hell-A”. Players may miss the tropical and jungle environments found in the first two Dead Island games and their spin-offs. 

Dead Island 2’s new setting allows players to explore post-apocalyptic versions of iconic areas such as Beverly Hills and Bel-Air. Players can fight against zombies against the backdrop of the world-famous Hollywood sign. Now, there will be a grittier urban feel in Dead Island 2, offering a fresh and exciting take on the series.

The game is also offering players even more choices with six playable characters to choose from. There is a significant improvement between the four protagonists in the original Dead Island and five in Dead Island: Riptide. This game introduces an entirely fresh cast of characters – Amy, Jacob, Dani, Ryan, Carla, and Bruno. Each has a distinct personality, dialogue, and abilities that reflect their unique backstory. These characters come from diverse backgrounds, including athletes, stuntmen, motorcycle club members, and more. This adds a new level of depth to the gameplay and gives players more control over their gaming experience.

Quarantine zone

Details on the story of Dead Island 2 are still a secret. The game will pick up a few months after the events of Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide. This time around, players find themselves in California. This has been turned into a heavily fortified quarantine zone by the US government and military. Furthermore, this is in response to a “new and stronger” zombie outbreak. 

Dead Island 2 pays tribute to Hollywood B-movies. There are featuring returning special zombie types from their predecessors, such as the Thugs and Suiciders. The game introduces an all-new powerful zombie type with unique abilities called the Apex. 

Gameplay
Gameplay

Dead Island 2 Gameplay

A recent gameplay video gave us a glimpse of the newest combat features in Dead Island 2. This includes a smoother, more fluid combat system with timed dodging and counter-attacks. The game also introduces skill cards, similar to Back 4 Blood. This allows players to customize their abilities and playstyles to suit their preferences. Additionally, the game boasts a brand new gore system called F.L.E.S.H. (Fully Locational Evisceration Simulator for Humanoids), developed by Dambuster Studios. 

It promises to deliver the most detailed and realistic zombie kills ever seen in a game. The game also offers both solo and co-op play. Players will be exploring an open world and acquiring an array of weapons that players can upgrade, repair, and mod at workbenches. This is to deal additional damage through elemental attacks such as fire and electricity.

Players will want to choose their weapons carefully in Dead Island 2. Different types are better for specific zombie encounters. For instance, bladed weapons make great use of the F.L.E.S.H. system. This allows for gruesome dismemberment in one-on-one fights, while heavy blunt weapons like sledgehammers are better for crowd control and clearing paths through larger groups of zombies.

In Dead Island 2, players have access to a range of weapons and items that they can use for combat and crafting, adding a new level of depth to the gameplay.

Ranged Weapons and Environmental Features

Guns have made a return to Dead Island 2, offering players a way to take down targets from a distance. This is particularly useful when dealing with enemies like the Suicider. This can cause devastating damage up close. Ranged weapons can also be used in conjunction with the open world environment to trigger traps or ignite gas cans. However, players should be careful not to waste too much ammo as supplies can be scarce.

Environmental items found in the open world, such as car batteries, can also be used as weapons to create environmental damage or to create traps for enemies

Curveballs and Strategic Crafting

In addition to environmental features and ranged weapons, players can also craft items called Curveballs that can be used strategically in combat. One such item is the Meat Bait, which can be thrown in a direction to draw zombies away from the player, allowing for an escape or to focus on a smaller group of enemies instead of a full horde.

With these combat and crafting features, Dead Island 2 promises to offer players a fresh and engaging gameplay experience in the zombie survival genre.

Gameplay
Gameplay

Fury Mode

In Dead Island 2, players who have been bitten by zombies will have a chance to turn the tables on the undead with Fury Mode. This powerful ability taps into the player’s corrupted DNA, granting them temporary mutations similar to those seen in some of the more formidable zombie types. 

With Fury Mode active, players can unleash devastating attacks that make quick work of the undead. This provides a powerful tool to fight off the zombie horde. This ability will be familiar to fans of Techland’s Dying Light 2, where similar sequences were used to great effect. With Fury Mode, Dead Island 2 offers players a powerful new weapon to help them survive in a world overrun by the undead.

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Published by Omer Khan

Omer has a proven track record in the online media industry as a Content Writer. He holds a bachelor's degree in international journalism and mass communication and enjoys sports and video games.