Tools of the trade

Dead Island 2 keeps things simple. Zombies are infesting Los Angeles and it’s up to the resistant player to go around killing them, all the while helping locals with their own survival efforts. The story does enough to move things forward and justify traversing to and from the 10 districts, but I didn’t find myself invested in the characters or caring much about their survival.

This horror game leans more on comedy than on exploring the bonds of remaining humans. Think more Shaun of the Dead or Zombieland, than 28 Days Later or The Last of Us. Dead Island 2’s characters are funny, but pretty stupid, as are the errands they task players with.

Missions are fairly basic in structure and players get to do a bunch of fetching. Thankfully, the foundation of the gameplay, an extremely satisfying combat system, helps give Dead Island 2 a huge boost.

Powered by the “FLESH” system, combat is easily the best thing about Dead Island 2. Weapons hit hard, with blunt instruments slamming into zombies and sending them flying. Sharpened blades cut through enemies just as brilliantly, causing blood to gush out. And these are just the standard weapons, as the action only gets more entertaining when elemental damage is introduced.

Pick a card, any card

There are six characters to choose from, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses. While there are differences between them, it quickly became clear to me that there are only two things you really need to worry about when making your selection. First, whether they Dodge or Block, as each character can only do one of these actions. Second, how they sound, as some characters are voiced better than others. I landed on Jacob as my favorite, both for his dodging and British accent.

Dead Island 2’s skill tree takes the form of cards that players choose from. There’s no deck-building or anything like that, it’s just a U.I. shift that functions in much the same way as traditional perk and ability trees.

Some skill cards are better than others, though my favorites enhance the player’s dodge/block abilities. As Jacob, I can weave and dodge a series of incoming attacks, recovering some health, before going on the counter-attack and enjoying increased damage with each subsequent hit I land.

Looks to die for

Visually, Dead Island 2 looks remarkable. The LA environments are beautifully rendered and the devs have clearly worked hard to add subtle details to each space. It’s hard not to explore each new room, as handcrafted scenarios hide in wait. An influencer’s bedroom, for example, features a whiteboard with a script for a not-so-sincere apology video, which I found especially hilarious.

The game runs well, too, with PS5 hitting the 60 FPS mark with very few hiccups. Perhaps the smaller levels help keep gameplay smooth? Whatever magic is going on here, Dead Island 2 achieves 60 FPS and looks good doing it, which really helps to sell those brutal melee swings.

What works well as a single-player game works even better in co-op. Up to two other players can be brought in to assist with the zombie slaying. Finding other players or having them join has worked flawlessly in my experience. It’s just unfortunate that you need to get through an hour or so of gameplay before you can invite your buddies in, which is always annoying.

Dead Island 2 Review: The final verdict

The odds were stacked against Dead Island 2, and yet here stands a solid zombie game with a compelling combat system that delivers exactly what I’m looking for when it comes to hitting the undead with a big stick. It’s gory, gruesome, and a ton of fun with friends.

Aside from the winning combat formula, however, Dead Island 2 doesn’t push the envelope in any other noteworthy ways. It’s a very safe game, which was perhaps the wisest decision made by Dambuster Studios and Deep Silver, given the development hell that the game has been through since its 2014 reveal. I’d count that a win, all things considered!

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Who can host a Dead Island 2 co-op session?

To host a Dead Island 2 co-op session, players must be using a PS5 console or a PS4 Pro console, otherwise known as a Generation 8+ console. Those using the base PS4 console, or an ordinary Generation 8 console, will not be able to host a co-op session on day one due to the game’s graphics requirements.

Developer Deep Silver Dambuster has said they’re “working on giving the option to host on all consoles in the future”, so it could be this functionality will be added for base PS4 players in a future game update. For now, base PS4 players will be able to join co-op sessions hosted by players on PS4 Pro and PS5 consoles.

Co-op play will be unlocked once players reach Emma’s mansion in the ‘Call the Cavalry’ mission, which is estimated to take about 20-30 minutes. Those aiming for the game’s Platinum trophy will need to spend some time in co-op to earn a couple of the game’s trophies that require that game mode.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been rumored for a while

Rumors that a sequel to the 2018 game is in development have been circulating for a while, but Warhorse has neither confirmed or denied its existence. A previous financial report by Embracer Group, which owns Warhorse as of 2019, references a promising sequel in development that fans think is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

“For our new project, we are hunting a talented Cinematic Designer with great film editing/directing skills,” Warhorse tweeted. “Together with our animators, designers, vfx artists and sound designers we are creating AAA quality cutscenes full of humour, action, thrill and generaly unique moments that can’t be seen in other game studios,” reads the aforementioned job description.

Despite a lukewarm critic reception and controversy surrounding its historical accuracy (or lack thereof), Kingdom Come: Deliverance went on to sell over five million copies as of June 2022.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is currently part of PS Plus Extra and Premium catalogs, scheduled to leave the service in May.

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Dead Island 2 install size revealed for PS5 and PS4

The Dead Island 2 install size reportedly comes in at 48.219 GB on PS5 and 19.916 GB on PS4.

According to @PlaystationSize on Twitter, which has proven accurate in the past, the PS5 version of the game will take up more than double the space of the PS4 version.

If the report proves accurate, pre-load for both versions of the game will be available on April 19. This will give players two days to make sure it’s installed ahead of release. Those on slower internet connections are sure to appreciate the pre-loading period, especially if they are downloading the larger PS5 edition.

You’ll need to get some friends to also download the game if you’re hoping to earn the Platinum Trophy. You see, 100% completion requires co-op play.

Wondering if Dead Island 2 will be worth making space for? Read the PSLS preview to get a vibe for how the game is shaping up.

The post Dead Island 2 Download Size Requires Double Space on PS5 — Report appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Dead Island 2 partial PS5 trophies list

The Dead Island 2 trophies list revealed by TrueTrophies will need players to grab a co-op partner to complete five quests. They’ll also need to be a bit useless seeing as they’ll need to be revived five times too. Aside from that, all other trophies can be completed in single-player mode.

Players will also need to complete a fair number of side quests, complete the first tier of several categories of challenges, find every type of zombie, locate collectibles, and kill zombies in imaginative ways. The list doesn’t include story trophies as Deep Silver Dambuster will be revealing those closer to the release date to avoid spoilers, but here are the trophies we know about so far:

• Making Your Mark – Complete 10 non-Story Quests [BRONZE]
• Rising Star – Complete 20 non-Story Quests [SILVER]
• LA Influential – Complete 40 non-Story Quests [GOLD]
• Ooh, Shiny! – Find your first Legendary Weapon [BRONZE]
• Zombologist – Unlock every zombie type in the Zompedia. [BRONZE]
• On Safari – Complete the first tier of every Zombie Challenge. [SILVER]
• Variety is the Spice of Death – Complete the first tier of every Weapon Challenge. [SILVER]
• Zombicidal Maniac – Complete the first tier of every Combat Challenge. [SILVER]
• Survival Skills – Complete the first tier of every Survivor Challenge. [SILVER]
• Smorgasbord – Complete the first tier of every Exploration Challenge. [SILVER]
• Sharpest Tool in the Box – Complete 5 Lost & Found Weapon Quests. [SILVER]
• Sole Survivor – Complete all Lost & Found Missing Person Quests. [SILVER]
• Jumbo Keyring – Unlock 10 Lockboxes. [SILVER]
• Bookworm – Collect 20 Journals. [SILVER]
• Stacking the Deck – Collect 30 Skill Cards. [BRONZE]
• Max Headroom – Reach level 30. [GOLD]
• Anger Management – Slay 50 zombies with Fury Attacks. [BRONZE]
• This is My Weapon – Fully upgrade a Superior weapon and customize it with a mod or perk in every slot. [BRONZE]
• Hazardous Materials – Slay 100 Zombies using Caustic, Fire, or Shock damage. [BRONZE]
• Break a Leg – Maim 100 limbs. [BRONZE]
• Slayer Squad – Complete any 5 quests in co-op. [BRONZE]
• I Am the Resurrection – Revive other Slayers 5 times. [BRONZE]
• Coup de Grâce – Slay 25 zombies using finishing moves. [BRONZE]
• Perks of the Job – Complete 5 Blueprint Challenges. [BRONZE]
• Donk! – Throw a melee weapon and hit a zombie 35+ metres away. [BRONZE]
• Apex Predator – Knock down 10 Apex Variants. [BRONZE]
• I Got a Zombie Army and You Can’t Harm Me – Perform 25 perfect defensive moves. [BRONZE]

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From development hell to hel-LA

During the slice of gameplay provided for the preview, I spent time in Bel-Air and Beverly Hills. While they certainly capture the Californian vibe, the sheer amount of zombies, blood, and guts quickly distract from the well-realized locales.

The game looks and runs fantastic on PC, which should hopefully be good news for the PS5 version. Developer Dambuster Studios is targeting 60 FPS for the current-gen and, if my fantastic experience on PC is anything to go by, I’m feeling optimistic for current-gen console players. (I’m a tad concerned about the PS4 edition, but my fingers are crossed.)

I hope you like killing zombies

Dead Island 2 is yet another game that tasks players with killing a bunch of zombies. It leans into the melee side of combat which, while more uncommon, is not unique. Thankfully, the game’s “FLESH System” acts as an enhancement to melee attacks, making zombie kills all the more satisfying with increased gore.

Thanks to FLESH, players can target individual body parts to damage. Using a bladed weapon to slash at a zombie’s arms and head, or a blunt weapon to knock down multiple foes at once before stomping on their heads before they had a chance to get up, didn’t get old. There are also weapon mods and elemental damage buffs to take advantage of, another tried-and-true mechanic for zombie games. For those who can appreciate messy zombie kills, Dead Island 2 may well have the messiest.

Throughout the mayhem of zombie blood spurting everywhere from increasingly violent attacks, my chosen “Slayer,” Jacob, was dropping one-liners and making snarky responses. There’s a fine line between being Boring Protagonist #512 and a Deadpool wannabe, and Jacob manages to deliver some fun humor without becoming annoying. I’m looking forward to trying the other five Slayers, who are hopefully equally as charming.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint

I had no idea what to expect going into this Dead Island 2 preview. I had visions of a rat king of convoluted ideas from too many devs being involved. Happily, Dambuster Studios appears to have concentrated its focus on simply making a bigger-and-better sequel to the original Dead Island and, following my couple of hours with the game, it’s shaping up to be one of the better games of 2023.

Pre-order Dead Island for PS5 for $69.99.

The post Dead Island 2 Preview: Spoilers-free Impressions appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

How to get more Dead Island 2 skill cards

Players will be able to earn skill cards by leveling up their character or by scavenging them from dead enemies. The collectible items can also be found scattered around the city, so exploration will also be needed.

First seen in today’s gameplay video, the cards grant special powers, abilities, and boons to help in combat. Skill cards are sorted into different categories — innate, abilities, survivor, slayer, and numen — with players able to select a different number of cards in each. These cards can be changed at any time during the game, even in midair if you choose. While the majority of cards can be used with all six Slayers, it seems like the innate cards will be restricted to one character only. These are just some of the cards we’ve seen so far:

• [INNATE] Thunderstruck – Dani’s heavy attacks trigger a forceful explosion on impact.
• [INNATE] Bloodlust – Dani regains health when slaying multiple zombies in quick succession.
• [ABILITIES] Block – Defend against incoming attacks. Well-timed blocks regain your stamina and stun zombies, leaving them open to a devastating counter attack.
• [ABILITIES] Dodge – Evade incoming attacks. Well-timed dodges regain your stamina and stun zombies, leaving them open to a devastating counter attack.
• [ABILITIES] Dropkick – Perform a forceful jump kick attack that can send regular zombies flying.
• [ABILITIES] Flying Kick – Perform a powerful jump kick attack.
• [ABILITIES] War Cry – Let out a fierce yell that boosts toughness for you and nearby squad members. It also weakens nearby zombies.
• [ABILITIES] Dash Strike – Dash forwards and strike zombies, leaving them weakened.

The exact descriptions of others haven’t been revealed, but the combination of Dash Strike and the Slayer skill Hammer Fist will “unleash a strike capable of launching zombies into the stratosphere”. Meanwhile, the Ground Pound Abilities card combined with the Survivor cards Flare Up and Quake will “create a truly devastating ground smash that topples zombies and ignites the floor underneath them”. Deep Silver Dambuster Studios suggests players will find a build to suit every situation and playstyle.

The post Dead Island 2 Skill Cards, Perks, and Abilities Revealed appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Watch the new Dead Island 2 gameplay trailer

The new Dead Island 2 gameplay trailer features Dani, a Slayer, who must make her way through the streets of Beverly Hills and Bel-Air. To aid her in her travels, she can use new weapons and powerful skills like ground pounds.

The FLESH dismemberment system is a particular highlight, with players able to target specific weak points and cause major damage. This damage is reflected in the blood and guts that litter the roads and mansions.

Skill Cards are also spotlighted in this extended gameplay trailer, with players able to mix and match skill cards to tailor their build to each scenario.

Another highlight is the ground pound, which is especially effective at quickly knocking down enemies that are starting to surround Dani.

Dead Island 2 has “gone gold,” which means the game is finally ready for distribution. The release date has been a long time coming, after being delayed multiple times.

Curiously, Dead Island 2 is the first game that will have Alexa controls.

The post New Dead Island 2 Gameplay Showcased in 14-Minute Trailer appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Saints Row reboot changed how Embracer greenlights games

In its Q3 2022 financial report released yesterday, Embracer Group revealed that following the underwhelming performance of its console and PC games, the company has changed its policy towards greenlighting new projects. While it didn’t specifically single out Saints Row, Embracer made it clear that going forward, “each project has to earn its right to exist,” leaving a question mark around the series’ future.

Embracer Group gobbled up a number of game companies and IPs but has had little success with them, if any. The company acknowledged that it needs to “put quality first” and offer “unique, positive player experiences.”

We have increased management focus and efforts to optimize investments and efficiency across the group even further. To simplify, each project has to earn its right to exist, which means we will increase our efforts to put quality first even further, and make sure we create unique positive player experiences.

Embracer didn’t reveal how many copies Saints Row has shipped.

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Saints Row will be moved to Gearbox

Moving forward, the Saints Row developer will be moved from its current role as a Deep Silver studio to a new role within Gearbox Entertainment’s group. This is because Gearbox “has all the tools, including an experienced management team in the US, to create future success at Volition.” This will include future DLC, such as that included within the game’s Expansion Pass, as well as future games from the studio.

Saints Row was released in August to a polarizing reception, something with which Embracer’s CEO Lars Wingefors was not happy. Volition has since been “working hard to improve the player experience” with updates and free DLC, including the Bright Future update that included more than 200 bug fixes and gameplay improvements like PS5 Haptic Feedback. Despite this, the game has not met “the full expectations” of the management team, Embracer said in their latest earnings report.

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