Whoever you choose, the goal of the demo was the same – hack through as many zombies as possible and defend a gate from waves of the undead. You’re not alone though, and Dead Island 2 feature seamless multiplayer – in this instance four players, although the final game will support up to eight, playing either cooperatively or against each other.
Much like the original, combat is reassuringly brutal. Ryan’s uppercut swing can toss an enemy in the air but leaves him open to attack while he builds up momentum; Dani’s heavy attack is a horizontal slice that cuts zombies in half. Both characters also have light attacks and kicks, the latter used to push enemies away and also stun them, so you can follow up with a killer blow.
Battling the undead feels more refined compared to the first game, and this sentiment is echoed in the weapon upgrade system. Modding gear played a huge part of the original Dead Island and that’s certainly the case once again, but how you do it has been streamlined. Gather up electrical components from a nearby gadget store and you can add a shock mod to your primary weapon, which sends thousands of volts through your victim to temporarily stun them, enabling you land another attack. Siphon off gasoline from the nearby petrol station and you’ll unlock the fire upgrade – when you land a blow enemies burst into flame and will continue take damage until they fall or the fire dies out.There’s a surprising level of strategy involved in the combat and wading into a group of zombies on your own will inevitably lead to your death. Playing as a team is key, especially when you’re taking on one of the new zombies, nicknamed thugs. These guys are huge and can suck up a huge amount of damage, but work together and they’re a breeze to take out. As Dani, dodge their attacks to get round behind then, before kicking them in the back to knock them to their knees; then follow up with Ryan, delivering a skull-crushing uppercut to knock their head clean off their shoulders.
Dead Island 2 is a lot of fun to play and while this brief introduction revealed little in the way story or missions you’ll face, it showcased a satisfying combat system and a sumptuous world I’m looking forward to spending time in. Tonally, it has more in common with Dead Rising than the original game – it’s far more tongue-in-cheek than its predecessor, and it’s all the better for it.
Of course, there’s still a lot we don’t know. The game will take in much more of California than we’ve currently seen, including Santa Monica pier and Venice beach, as well as many of San Francisco’s famous landmarks, plus Yager teased there’s a whole new area it’s not ready to talk about yet. Similarly, only a fraction of the weapon mods and new zombies have been shown, but if the Suicider – a huge, bloated beast that charges towards you and explodes, covering you in pus – is anything to go by, there’s a lot to be excited about.