“Hey, you wanna play a zombie game?” The gaming meme has spread like so much infectious virus over cities and nations through a variety of franchises and console generations. While so many zombie-based games have come and gone, few have actually innovated and left a lasting impression to point it spawned copycats and even spiritual successors like “Dead Island”. The co-op-oriented, seventh generation juggernaut took the gaming world by storm thanks to an innovative weapons crafting system, an oppressive “paradise lost” setting, and some B-movie level acting & storytelling that made it standout in its genre.
It’s DLC-turned-full-release sequel “Dead Island: Riptide” didn’t gain the same popularity as its predecessor; suffering from “sequel-itis” from lacking expansion in regards to the gameplay, story, or general stability. Though “Dead Island 2” was a given for years, development woes and the IP being passed around like an unwanted biter prevented significant progression; let alone a release window. Nearly a decade after “Riptide”, “Dead Island 2” is finally here even if the name doesn’t make much sense with the locale being sunny Los Angeles. Head to Venice Beach to pump some iron, practice your MacGyver-level crafting skills, and enjoy these bloody “Dead Island 2” first impressions.