Dead Island 2

 PlayStation 5
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 341 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 236 out of 341
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 341
  3. Negative: 52 out of 341
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  1. EducatedReviews
    May 6, 2023
    9
    To put it simply, Dead Island 2 delivers a fun and mostly polished zombie-slaying experience. Most people who have heard of this title are aware of its infamous development cycle. I am happy to report that this game shattered all my expectations by keeping what worked in Dead Island (2011) and Dead Island: Riptide (2013), while also making some much needed changes and focusing on the funTo put it simply, Dead Island 2 delivers a fun and mostly polished zombie-slaying experience. Most people who have heard of this title are aware of its infamous development cycle. I am happy to report that this game shattered all my expectations by keeping what worked in Dead Island (2011) and Dead Island: Riptide (2013), while also making some much needed changes and focusing on the fun factor. The “slayer” I chose for my first playthrough is Jacob. Dead Island 2 is shorter than its predecessors, dropping the mostly serious tone of the originals for a more lighthearted approach, trading the few large open world maps for several smaller zones, and exchanging skill trees for an interchangeable skill card system. While some may not consider this title “groundbreaking,” all of the attention to detail, enemy and location variety, and quality of life updates make for a big difference and create a very engaging and replayable experience.

    Visually, this game is stunning. The “Flesh” system displays clear levels of zombie skin, muscle, organs, and bone—mirroring the new necromorph damage system seen in this year’s Dead Space remake. The game’s many environments, such as Beverly Hills and Venice Beach, manage to beautifully capture that “postcard aesthetic,” similar to that of Yara in 2021’s Far Cry 6. There is also plenty of environmental storytelling to be found throughout the game.

    Regarding performance, I have encountered very few bugs—with the most notable being the glitched “Max Headroom” (reach max level) trophy, and some lag when playing co-op with a friend. There were also some occasions where distant enemies would disappear from a zone if I was outside of combat and looked away from them for a brief moment, and a few instances where weapons would regress to their previous level after being matched to my character level and placed in the storage locker. I have faced no crashes during the entirety of my playthrough and endgame roaming up to the point of this review (over 50 hours of playtime).

    While the story and character work may not be the most iconic or original, what is present here is solid and moves at a good pace. I enjoyed what played out in the narrative, though this is a title where the gameplay will likely be the prime focus to many interested players. Without spoiling the development of the plot, the game does attempt to do something interesting in its last act, establishing material for the upcoming story expansions.

    Combat and weapon customization is mostly in line with the previous two titles: a primarily melee weapon-focused game with some firearms and throwable weapons. This title does support PlayStation 5 controller functionality, most prominently when using firearms. Weapon customization has been changed to give weapons more effective performance in the form of weapon mods and perks. Several named unique weapons are also earned throughout the game. These weapons cannot be broken down or sold, preventing any mistakes that could involve losing these precious items. Unfortunately, both the character and storage locker inventories are very limited and cannot make enough room for all six slayers to possess all named weapons, as the locker is shared. I do not know if this is an oversight, or if there are plans to expand the storage locker in the future through updates, but as it stands, there is almost no room for any other weapons unless players stick to a single slayer or avoid quests that reward unique drops.

    I found the new skill card system to be a welcomed change from the original skill trees. Although it may not be the most complex skill system, there are plenty of ways to make fun builds with the slayers, including later builds that trade recovery options for more damage-dealing capabilities.

    Almost every zombie type from the previous titles return in some form (with one notable exception), either faithfully added in with some new tricks, or present in a way that preserves the essence of that enemy type, while changing it to fit this new infection. The “common” zombies have been given more attention and several variants, adding to the pressure of combat in a meaningful way alongside the threatening “apex” zombies. While the combat is not as heavily layered or skill based as Doom Eternal (2020), there were countless times where I faced combat encounters that felt reminiscent of that title’s combat scenarios, from early game to endgame, thanks to this new variety of enemies, strengths, and resistances.

    Overall, I was surprised to find myself enjoying this title as much as I did. This surprise is not the result of the game finally delivering a playable experience after such a troubled development history, but rather because it more than justifies its existence with all of the fun combat and location variety and impactful innovations I listed above. This is a title I will be coming back to, and one I definitely recommend.    … Expand
  2. MrCoffeeFart
    Apr 24, 2023
    9
    Dead Island 2 does nothing to reinvent the wheel. BUT.... that wheel has been finely polished and spins like a champ. This is a zombie hack and slash video game that doesn't take it's story to seriously and neither should you. Reviews from the critics seem like they are hating on the game for the sole reason that they themselves, may be from Hell-A (LA) where the game draws manyDead Island 2 does nothing to reinvent the wheel. BUT.... that wheel has been finely polished and spins like a champ. This is a zombie hack and slash video game that doesn't take it's story to seriously and neither should you. Reviews from the critics seem like they are hating on the game for the sole reason that they themselves, may be from Hell-A (LA) where the game draws many stereotypes for its characters. The one thing I believe the game does very well at the beginning is to slowly introduce more mechanics instead of throwing everything at you all at once which keeps you entertained for longer. Personally, I have mainly co-oped the game (progress saved for both parties) but single player is doable.

    Pros: Weapon mechanics, crafting system, resources are plentiful yet restricted (different areas for different things), items are where you would expect them to be, whoever initiates quest is the main voice of a cutscene (this is a personal preference), awesome counter attacks for stunned zombies, GORE SYSTEM IS AMAZING, enough ammo for guns but not enough to make it all you use, very detailed locations and environmental story telling, smooth 60 fps, crisp graphics, story is entertaining enough, special zombies hold keys, and countless other minor things.

    Cons: Co-op kicks randomly at times, to many caustic ( electric, fire, and acid) hazards in the world at times, weapons can cause caustic damage to you when zombies catch, shotguns a little to weak or should maim more, not 100% open world (which may have lead to better location designs), characters are good but no strong attachments are built for most characters (one mission and done), Special zombies have the same attacks over and over which just make them tedious, zombies now crawl out of vents or storm drains which can take away from immersion.

    To end this, I believe personally too many people have come into video games demanding excellence and not just slowing themselves down while putting the real world behind them and JUST HAVE FUN. Thls game has been through development hell but I don't care about that. I care about finished products. You know what to expect if you like videogames like these. You can watch the trailers and see whether it is something you would like or not. If you bought it knowing you may not like it, you may want to critique yourself and make some changes. You know what you are getting with Dead Island 2 and the developers haven't lead people to believe it would be anything else.

    8.4 out of 10. Rounded up is a 9 (Played on Series X)    … Expand
  3. The_bomb
    Apr 30, 2023
    10
    Awesome zombie game runs well even on last gen consoles decent story amazing gore system
  4. Daniel0809
    Apr 24, 2023
    8
    Ive been playing all weekend and love walking around in L.A. like im really there and the graphics are stunning. The combat is very satisfying and playing as Ryan you bash the hell out of zombies. Sounds are also very nice to the ear, intro song drown is badass, but not much of a meaningful story, I didn't connect to any player but the voice acting was great! Addictive game and im happyIve been playing all weekend and love walking around in L.A. like im really there and the graphics are stunning. The combat is very satisfying and playing as Ryan you bash the hell out of zombies. Sounds are also very nice to the ear, intro song drown is badass, but not much of a meaningful story, I didn't connect to any player but the voice acting was great! Addictive game and im happy with it. Hopefully they release some DLC in the future. I have not tried the coop so I dont know.… Expand
  5. Dwunited
    Apr 24, 2023
    9
    This game is a great example that delayed games can become (mostly) flawless. I would like to thank the development team for their hard work it is really appreciated. It was worth waiting!
  6. FreeRunner29
    May 2, 2023
    9
    The gore is awesome but, the physics feel floaty at times. Regardless of that it's a bloody good time and a fun game to play. It's polished and just plain enjoyable. I usually skip the cutscenes and go straight to hack and slashing because at the end of the day, that's all I really wanted. I upped the rating one point because this generation has been full of unfinished, unplayable games.The gore is awesome but, the physics feel floaty at times. Regardless of that it's a bloody good time and a fun game to play. It's polished and just plain enjoyable. I usually skip the cutscenes and go straight to hack and slashing because at the end of the day, that's all I really wanted. I upped the rating one point because this generation has been full of unfinished, unplayable games. Kudos to the devs for finally finishing this project!… Expand
  7. UNTITLED808
    Apr 30, 2023
    10
    This is a solid zombie slaying game all around. I enjoyed every moment of this game. The new flesh mechanics never get old and the dialogue is very much how people in LA talk it's hilarious. Fun story from beginning to end as well, nothing to go bragging about but I was entertained with the story.
  8. Hodtu
    Apr 23, 2023
    10
    Very fun love the physics and graphics. world definitely feels more "lived" in than other games. alot of small details everywhere and overall feels very immersive, the story is something that could of been done better though.
  9. enesco18
    Apr 22, 2023
    10
    dead island 2 best game and very very nice game dead island 2 better than dying light 2 action style is very very best
  10. Hectik
    Apr 24, 2023
    8
    Pros

    - Addictive gameplay, combat is brutal and gory
    - Great locations all around Los Angeles. Love the Bel Air neibourhood
    - Skill cards are interesting
    - Zombie voice acting is good : D

    Cons

    - Story is lackluster but who plays this for the story?
    - Slayer voice acting is bad
    - Some weapons are pretty underpowered (swords). Bats and hammers are the way to go
  11. Makiverem
    Apr 22, 2023
    9
    Waiting 10 years for this game and it's better what I waiting for. Good gameplay and graphics and stable 60 fps on PS5, just some little bugs in it.
  12. Steyraus
    Apr 22, 2023
    10
    Finally a game for dudes. A game made for the majority red blooded hetro majority that is gaming audiences. This is a game that prioritises Fun and being bad arse over all else, like games use to do before games had to be designed to keep the player playing and trying to draw money out their pockets. Combat is , visceral, varied and addictive . The map and progression keeps you engaged.
    LA    Finally a game for dudes. A game made for the majority red blooded hetro majority that is gaming audiences. This is a game that prioritises Fun and being bad arse over all else, like games use to do before games had to be designed to keep the player playing and trying to draw money out their pockets. Combat is , visceral, varied and addictive . The map and progression keeps you engaged.
    LA is a Gorgeous place for the mayhem and blood sheed Dead Island 2 encourages. Visually and artistically one of the most beutiful games I've seen thus gen..Had a blast messing around with elements and weopens to create the most insane zombie destruction possible.    … Expand
  13. target6969
    Apr 23, 2023
    9
    addicting never got bored of the game just had to stop because i had work in the morning
  14. Phillerbaer
    Apr 23, 2023
    10
    Never had so much fun playing a New game. Truly amazing. The dropkick mechanic alone is entertainment for days
  15. JustDeBreezy
    Apr 23, 2023
    10
    Most addicting experience of video games for a while. Great graphics and performance stability on PC.
  16. Purp1ebunny
    Apr 24, 2023
    8
    Dead Island 2 is just dumb fun. The writing is serviceable and even funny at times. The environment is fun to explore and look at, but my favorite thing is the melee combat. It's nothing special necessarily, but it's fun.
  17. OdinX1985
    Apr 24, 2023
    8
    It finally arrives! Dead Island 2 is gory, bone crushing, drop kicking theme park. In 2014 the teaser trailer dropped way before Dying Light to which that was released in 2016. Dead Island 2 is 16 years after the events of the first game. Dead Island 2 is a great game with gory slaughter against zombies and other monsters lurking around the streets of LA. However the game does suffer someIt finally arrives! Dead Island 2 is gory, bone crushing, drop kicking theme park. In 2014 the teaser trailer dropped way before Dying Light to which that was released in 2016. Dead Island 2 is 16 years after the events of the first game. Dead Island 2 is a great game with gory slaughter against zombies and other monsters lurking around the streets of LA. However the game does suffer some frustrating and technical problems. The pros: Mix and match skills that work well together, yes certain skill cards will grant you buffs into your weapons or drop kicking that gives that extra force to it. Weapons modification is well crafted and using your imagination run wild to make some bizarre combinations. Using environment like water on the floor throw electric weapons or battery whatever you have that has electricity. Pouring gasoline on the dead is a must and I tell you why. Once you kill the zombies, hordes of them will appear eating what you killed yes zombies eat other dead zombies burn them cause you might get a red skull zombie that is over your level point. Side characters and their quests is well worth doing and I had more fun fetch questing or favors it's actually pretty fun and rewarding. Like I said each slayer has their own personality and my time with Dani was so enjoyable due to her swearing and her Irish accent love it. Soundtrack has this retro 80's beat to it and first boss battle theme ost was funny. Now the cons: Okay, this is where the game needs to fix in patches or overhaul it.. keys and doors are locked behind progession. Back tracking to the very first house to unlock special doors for blueprints is so tedious. Each key to the blueprints is hidden or you have to battle hordes zombies then the boss zombie for the key. Not saying it's bad but wish there was an easier way to obtain the keys. Even smaller chests are locked behind some enemy who has the key. Unbalanced zombie types, now you can accidentally run into red skull enemies by opening a door an area that ur not suppose to be they are in the start of the first map and be warned these things will demolished you for entering so be cautious to where you open and have mercy on your soul. Each map is linear unlike the first game the map seems smaller in my opinion. You can't drive cars like you did in the first game to which it was a shame love road killing zombies. Technical issues.. the game crashed on me a few times during a side quest in Bel-Air and side quest failed to finish after completing it. Sometimes you can't pick up objects like car batteries in cars. You hit square and for whatever reason it doesn't respond, not all the time but it does happen a few times. Final thought: Okay, my 36 hours all content done, Dead Island 2 was a great experience for sure and glad it's out if they fix a few bugs and revamp some things I'll give it another go and tryout Amy next. For the graphics it's okay, it works and it's fine. For the price tag of 70 bucks um I honestly think 59.99 should've been the retail price for it but hey it is what it is. My score is an 8 for a game with so many developers working on it and never gave up on it my hats is to the development team. But in all the game is overall good and hopefully more content comes.… Expand
  18. TheMrCtulhu
    Apr 24, 2023
    9
    Отличная, залипная и красивая зомби бродилка-месилка. Без каких-либо пустых обещаний, ненужного пафоса и хайпа.
  19. Tool_
    Apr 24, 2023
    8
    I wouldn’t say it’s worth a wait through my entire childhood but I would say it has some of the best gory combat I have ever layed my fingers on.
  20. FunkConveyor
    Apr 24, 2023
    10
    Trashy, insanely gory and unashamedly fun. Beautiful graphics, runs really smooth. Highly recommended!
  21. PunkRockLifer
    Apr 24, 2023
    10
    After waiting for an age for this to come out I was sceptical but oh man, I need not of worried cause this game so good and is pure fun. The graphics on PS5 are great and it runs super smooth without any drops. The game feels so polished, which is surprising considering the development hell. I really don't understand some of the bad reviews saying that it is short cause it really isn't.After waiting for an age for this to come out I was sceptical but oh man, I need not of worried cause this game so good and is pure fun. The graphics on PS5 are great and it runs super smooth without any drops. The game feels so polished, which is surprising considering the development hell. I really don't understand some of the bad reviews saying that it is short cause it really isn't. Yes you can run through the main story in 15 or so hours but that's about average really and there are loads of side missions and challenges and loads of collectables etc. too, then you have co op which is really fun. If you enjoy these types of games like I do then you will want to explore the big areas. I have spent over 20 hours already and I haven't even seen half of the game yet. The new gore system is so good and they have done such a great job on it. Will you like this game? Well, if you like the original then I would say yes definitely as this is the same but better and improved in every way imo. Also, if you like to just have fun killing zombies in awesome ways then this is a must buy. Brilliant… Expand
  22. HippyDaHer
    Apr 24, 2023
    9
    Dead Island 2 is a game filled with a lot although not a technical achievement in game development. It’s still a fun game with a bloody great gore mechanic. The fighting isn’t the best in the world but it does in fact, get the job done. The story is pretty average for a “lets kill zombies and have fun” game but, it is serviceable. There is an Alexa mode in the game that I tried but felt aDead Island 2 is a game filled with a lot although not a technical achievement in game development. It’s still a fun game with a bloody great gore mechanic. The fighting isn’t the best in the world but it does in fact, get the job done. The story is pretty average for a “lets kill zombies and have fun” game but, it is serviceable. There is an Alexa mode in the game that I tried but felt a little too gimmicky for my taste but it was pretty cool at first. Give this game a try especially if it’s on sell! I’ll give this pretty fun game a 9/10 because it’s pretty good in my book.… Expand
  23. Leszter
    Apr 24, 2023
    10
    Best Zombie slasher of the last 10 years! It has everything in it.. elemental synergy like you have never seen before.. Getting the card types time to time keeps leveling up interesting until the very end.
  24. aGrover12
    Apr 24, 2023
    10
    I have been playing this game non-stop since release. I truly haven't had this much fun in quite some time, and I'm glad that it was released. My friends and I truly enjoy DI2, and I hope there will be another game in the series in the future.
  25. z1y0n
    Apr 22, 2023
    9
    Having a lot of fun, just pure fun. Great environments, good colors, great detail, and enjoyable to explore. I think the semi open worlds like outer worlds allows for this concentrated amount of detail and I love it. Combat is decent the effects carry it me at least. At first combat was meh but more mechanics get introduced keeping it interesting enough. Audio is good the ambient noisesHaving a lot of fun, just pure fun. Great environments, good colors, great detail, and enjoyable to explore. I think the semi open worlds like outer worlds allows for this concentrated amount of detail and I love it. Combat is decent the effects carry it me at least. At first combat was meh but more mechanics get introduced keeping it interesting enough. Audio is good the ambient noises were my highlight. The voice actors and writing is good. Comedy is cheesy but not cringeworthy some parts had me laughing. I do love the characters. The Menus are terrible feels like the only area that didn’t get enough attention. Conclusion, I’m satisfied and thought I’d regret not waiting for a sale but I’m happy I got to enjoy it this weekend.… Expand
  26. MrRPG
    Apr 23, 2023
    9
    Dead Island 2 is exactly what I wanted, a ridiculous B-zombie movie in game form.
    Very much similar to it's predecessor in terms of gameplay, a little bit of polish applied to everything. Weapons feel their weight on collision, viscerally tearing through zombies with Gorey detail.
    What I didn't expect was rock solid world design, beautiful set pieces that are truly worth exploring, the    Dead Island 2 is exactly what I wanted, a ridiculous B-zombie movie in game form.
    Very much similar to it's predecessor in terms of gameplay, a little bit of polish applied to everything. Weapons feel their weight on collision, viscerally tearing through zombies with Gorey detail.

    What I didn't expect was rock solid world design, beautiful set pieces that are truly worth exploring, the open world replaced with expertly crafted zones with no detail spared.

    Dead Island 2 is my definitive zombie game already, it ticks all the boxes, knows exactly what it is and delivers the B-movie zombie experience I've been waiting for since Dead Island 1.    … Expand
  27. alsdkiller23
    Apr 23, 2023
    10
    Cool game, a lot of items to kill zombies, and fun characters, I think good sequel
  28. Viniboom
    Apr 22, 2023
    10
    ..................,.......................................................n
  29. Rodrigo957
    Apr 22, 2023
    10
    Jogo muito bom sistema de desmembramento e danos mais incrível que já vi até hoje, jogão recomendo a toda comunidade
  30. Yaroslav0202
    Apr 24, 2023
    8
    Как-бы неплохо, но есть подробности:
    - сюжет говна. Просто нудятина

    Зато разрушение тел зомби - моё почтение!
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 87
  3. Negative: 1 out of 87
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 23, 2024
    80
    Many will argue that there aren't enough enemy types, or that the weapon upgrades that underpin it all seem as if they came out of a decades-old game. And they'd be right. This is a game that follows a simple template. But it does so in a confessed way, and in the end the authors didn't promise anything beyond mindless and fun zombie slaughter. [Issue#327]
  2. PLAY
    Sep 16, 2023
    50
    Neat zombie bashing mechanics are woefully under-served as it loses its way more with each hour, making the shiny hyper-violence yawnworthy by the end. [Issue#27, p.68]
  3. Pocket-lint
    Jun 23, 2023
    80
    We've had a pretty great time messing up some zombies in Hell-A. Dead Island 2 doesn't shoot for the stars, and therefore ends up neither overpromising nor under-delivering, so if you liked the first game you're pretty certain to have a fun time here.
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