Want to take away a monster’s ability to reach and swipe at you? Go ahead and “dearm” them with a couple swings of something sharp. Need to slow down an incoming swarm? Fracture their legs to stagger them, or fully break or slice them off to force them into a pathetic crawl. It’s essentially a more violent version of the dismemberment mechanic that the series is known for, and it allows you to reduce zombies to a bloody pulp by crushing body parts and chopping limbs off. Fortunately, with its nuanced combat mechanics, deep weapon sandbox, and a diverse array of skills and character tweaks to choose from, Dead Island 2 makes this an absolute blast to do.Īt the core of the combat is what developer Dambuster Studios calls the “Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids,” system, or F.L.E.S.H. Guns and ammo are in short supply, and that means the only way you’re getting through the armies of the undead is by hacking, slashing, and thwacking them to pieces. Like it was in the original Dead Island games, the star of the show in Dead Island 2 is the brutal stamina-based melee action. Because why not? (Image credit: Windows Central) Dead Island 2 review: Gameplay and combat systemsĪ flaming claymore sword. The company did not see the contents of the review before publication. This, alongside a satirical B movie-tier script and some top-tier presentation, makes Dead Island 2 a must-play for anyone looking for a lighthearted and action-packed romp through the zombie apocalypse.ĭisclaimer: This review was made possible by a Windows PC review code that was provided by Deep Silver. It delivers the gory and visceral melee combat that Dead Island players crave, while also introducing several innovative additions that elevate the sequel above its predecessors. After playing through its campaign over the last two weeks, though, I’m excited to report that Dead Island 2 isn’t just good - it’s absolutely fantastic, and everything a fan of the franchise could ask for. And as someone that vividly remembers watching the first Dead Island 2 trailer in 2014 while between school classes, the fact this game is hitting shelves in 2023 blows my mind.īut is the game actually good? It’s a question that many are asking, as nearly a decade of development hell doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. After changing hands between four separate studios over the course of nine years, the full sequel to the chaotic and melee-focused 2011 zombie game is finally here. It’s hard to believe, but Dead Island 2 is actually launching on April 21.

Dead island 2 release time uk