Dead Island 2 is a first-person action role-playing game developed by Dambuster Studios and published by Deep Silver. It is the long-awaited sequel to the 2011 hit Dead Island, which combined open-world exploration, hand-to-hand combat, and zombie survival in a tropical setting, and has undergone several developmental changes over the years and is set to be released in 2024.
Dead Island 2 is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a zombie outbreak has swept across large parts of the world, and takes place on the sunny, infected streets of California—specifically, in locations such as Los Angeles and other iconic California cities. The game takes place after the events of the first Dead Island and its spinoff, Dead Island: Riptide, but follows a new cast of characters and a new story. While the first game took place on a tropical island, Dead Island 2 moves to urban environments, adding new gameplay dynamics and environments.
Unlike the first game, which featured an open island setting, Dead Island 2 shifts the focus to a more urban open world, filled with urban decay, famous landmarks, and a variety of zombie species. Players will explore these areas while fighting for survival, using a combination of hand-to-hand combat, crafting, and strategy to overcome the hordes of zombies.
The game features multiple playable characters, each with their own unique abilities, backgrounds, and skill sets. These characters are not traditional action heroes but rather ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, making the narrative personal and realistic. The plot will explore the impact of the infection on society, the struggle to survive, and the search for answers amidst the chaos.
Dead Island 2 features a large open environment set in an infected California. Players will have the opportunity to explore iconic locations, including Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and other well-known urban and suburban areas. These locations are filled with a variety of quests, side quests, hidden secrets, and hordes of zombies. The world is dynamic, with day and night cycles, weather effects, and destructible environments.
