This week Epic Games Store is giving away a delightful zombie shooter game – “Dead Island 2”. This game takes you to the zombie infested Los Angeles nicknamed “Hell-A”.
Dead Island 2 is a thrilling action role-playing game that delivers a mix of horror, dark humor, and over-the-top zombie-slaying. With vibrant graphics, intense boss fights, and a catchy soundtrack, it’s a wild ride for fans of the genre.
A Twisted Story in a Fallen City
The game is set 15 years after the events of Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide. A deadly virus has turned Los Angeles into a quarantine zone, with the military gone and survivors fighting to stay alive. You play as one of six Slayers, each with unique stats and playstyles, who are bitten but immune to the virus. The story follows your quest to uncover the truth behind the outbreak and discover what makes you special.
The narrative is a pulp-style adventure, blending serious moments with quirky characters and dark humor. You’ll explore iconic LA locations like Beverly Hills and Venice Beach, meeting survivors like Emma Jaunt, a famous actress, and Sam B, a returning hero from the first game. Key missions involve tracking down Dr. Reed, who’s working on a cure, and dealing with Tisha, his daughter, who’s investigating the virus. The story builds to a dramatic finale at Hollywood Boulevard, where you face tough choices about your humanity. While some players find the plot predictable, its 24 main missions and side quests keep you hooked for 8-10 hours, with DLCs like Haus and SOLA Festival adding new areas and mysteries.
Brutal Boss Battles
Dead Island 2 shines in its combat, especially during boss fights, which introduce new zombie types called Apex Variants. These battles are more about raw power than complex mechanics, but they’re satisfying thanks to the game’s F.L.E.S.H. system, which lets you dismember zombies in gory detail. Here are some standout encounters:
1. Alesis Hernandez (Monarch Studios): This acid-spewing zombie tests your dodging skills. Stay mobile, use ranged weapons, and avoid the toxic pools. Tips include using curveballs like chem bombs to clear smaller enemies.
2. Reubenator (Hollywood Ending): The final boss, a massive Mutator, is a tough fight. Keep close to avoid its projectiles, use guns for big damage, and block to create openings for melee attacks. Smaller zombies spawn, so meat bait can distract them. Some players wished for a unique zombie type here, but the fight’s intensity delivers.
3. Long Piglet (Haus DLC): A Crusher in a pig costume, this boss is straightforward but tanky. Use strong weapons and fury mode to chip away at its health.
Boss fights are challenging but manageable with upgrades and co-op play. The game encourages experimentation with weapons and abilities, making each encounter a bloody spectacle.
Stunning Graphics and Hell-A’s Vibe
The visuals in Dead Island 2 are a highlight, bringing a colorful yet gruesome version of Los Angeles to life. From the sunny suburbs of Beverly Hills to the quirky Venice Beach boardwalk, each of the 10 districts feels distinct. The game’s semi-open world is packed with details, like blood-soaked movie sets at Monarch Studios or gore-filled sewers. The F.L.E.S.H. system makes every zombie kill visually spectacular, with limbs flying and bodies breaking apart realistically.
On PC, the game runs smoothly, even on older hardware, with minimal crashes. Settings like motion blur and anti-aliasing can be tweaked for better performance without losing quality. For example, a GTX 1060 can hit 46fps at 1080p with adjusted settings, while an RTX 4070 handles 4K at 60fps on Ultra. The bright, oversaturated aesthetic fits the game’s playful tone, though some players note it feels more like Dead Rising than the darker Dying Light.
Conclusion
Dead Island 2 is a bloody, fun romp through a zombie-filled Los Angeles. Its story is a mix of pulp action and dark humor, with memorable characters and a decent 8-10 hour campaign. Boss battles are intense and gory, though some lack variety. The graphics are stunning, with a vibrant Hell-A that pops on screen, and the music, while not iconic, fits the chaotic vibe. Whether you’re slashing zombies solo or with friends in co-op, this game delivers a satisfying, if slightly repetitive, experience.
Claim the Giveaway
In order to claim the giveaway game, you can visit Epic Games store webpage https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/dead-island-2, login to your Epic Games account and then click on the Get button. You will have to use Epic Games Launcher in order to download and install it.