Despite seemingly languishing in development hell for the better part of the last decade, Dead Island 2 is finally a real thing that is actually coming out this year that you’ll be able to buy with real money. A wonderfully over the top, first-person zombie masher with splatter to spare, Dead Island 2 looks to both tap into what made the first Dead Island so much fun to play all the while adding to that trusted formula in a number of interesting ways.
Be sure to keep this guide in your favourites as we go through everything you need to know about Dead Island 2 including the release date, gameplay details, co-op, characters, story details, latest trailer and more.
Dead Island 2 Release Date
The Dead Island 2 release date has been confirmed as April 21, 2023. Dead Island 2 will enjoy a full release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC through the Epic Games Store. Dead Island 2 is not currently scheduled to release on Nintendo Switch.
Dead Island 2 Steam Release
Yes, Dead Island 2 will get a Steam release. However, Dead Island 2 will not be available on Steam when it releases on April 21, 2023. That said, like just about every other game that doesn’t release on Steam on day one, it will certainly get there in the end. So we’re absolutely talking about a matter of ‘when’, rather than ‘if’ when it comes to the Dead Island 2 Steam release.
Dead Island 2 Story
Taking place ten years after the events of the first Dead Island and Dead Island Riptide, Dead Island 2 thrusts players into post-apocalyptic, zombie infested California (christened ‘Hell-A’, no less) after it has been locked down by the US government. With just a handful of survivors left, those that haven’t succumbed to the virus have instead elected to become ‘Slayers’, a highly aggressive and eccentric group of zombie hunters that pride themselves on killing as many zombies as stylishly as possible. Oh and if you haven’t played the first Dead Island, don’t worry; it’s not a prerequisite in the slightest for getting stuck into the sequel.
Dead Island 2 Co-op
Yes, Dead Island 2 will support cooperative play on all platforms. Though any kind of local, split-screen co-op shenanigans are off the table, Dead Island 2 will nonetheless provide ample support for up a trio of players to bust some zombie heads together online. In addition, a handy drop-in and drop-out mechanism is also provided which neatly allows players to join the blood splattered action at any time.
Dead Island 2 Gameplay
Similar to Dead Island before it, Dead Island 2 is a first-person shooter/melee combat focused offering that provides an open world for players to stalk around in, smashing up various types of zombies into paste, crafting resources and weapons and taking on a variety of different side and main missions. Though mechanics from the previous game return such as the extremely damaging rage attacks and weapon durability, a brand new card based progression system replaces the more traditional skill trees of the original game, while a completely overhauled (and extremely gruesome) gore system allows players to artistically dismember their undead foes like never before. You can also continue to messily break up the various limbs and organs of defeated zombies when they’re on the ground too, with buckets of the red stuff being generously splattered everywhere. So that’s perfectly lovely.
Dead Island 2 Guns
Yes, Dead Island 2 does indeed have guns for wannabe Slayers everywhere to get their bloodied hands on. Lots of guns. Though much of the media and gameplay footage from Dead Island 2 have made a point of showcasing its blissfully violent melee combat, Dead Island 2 nonetheless provides all manner of pistols, rifles, shotguns, machine guns and more besides for those discerning Slayers that don’t want to get chunks of zombie skull on their favourite t-shirt.
Dead Island 2 Progression
Marking a departure from the standard skill tree driven progression system of the previous Dead Island games, Dead Island 2 instead leverages a card based system that shakes things up a little bit. Essentially how it works is that cards of varying skills can be collected around Hell-A and are rewarded from completing certain missions. Only able to have a few cards equipped at any single time, not only does each card have a special skill that can be used by the Slayer but the number of active cards in use can be swapped out immediately with others that are in your inventory.
Dead Island 2 Characters
Following in the footsteps of the first Dead Island, Dead Island 2 once more allows players to choose from a range of different characters, each with their own special innate skills. The six Dead Island 2 Slayers are as follows:
- Amy (Innate skills – Divide and Conquer, Relief Pitcher)
- Bruno (Innate skills – Backstab, Rapid Reprisal)
- Carla (Innate skills – Dig Deep, Mosh Pit)
- Dani (Innate skills – Bloodlust, Thunderous)
- Jacob (Innate skills – Critical Gains, Frenzy)
- Ryan (Innate skills – Retaliation, Seesaw)
Dead Island 2 Trailer – Where Can I Watch The Latest Dead Island 2 Trailer?
The latest trailer for Dead Island 2 is available to watch right now and is a little more in-depth than your average trailer. Indeed, the latest trailer for Dead Island 2 is a chunky gameplay showcase that clocks in at nearly fifteen minutes long and shows off our resident zombie slayer Dani as she wields her massive offensive arsenal and range of devastating, zombie mashing skills. You can catch the latest Dead Island 2 trailer above.
