72
MONSTER
The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure. Dead Island 2 is thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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62
Dead Island 2’s story splits critics: while its chaotic LA setting, humor, and character diversity shine, most call it shallow, predictable, and unmemorable—prioritizing action over substance and failing to elevate beyond zombie genre clichés.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
62
Positive Reviews (80-100)
16%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
68%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
16%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Dead Island 2’s story splits critics: while its chaotic LA setting, humor, and character diversity shine, most call it shallow, predictable, and unmemorable—prioritizing action over substance and failing to elevate beyond zombie genre clichés.
Gameplay Mechanics
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77
Dead Island 2 delivers visceral, gory combat with creative weapon use and co-op thrills—but repetitive mechanics, clunky controls, and a lack of innovation undermine its replayability.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
59%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
37%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Dead Island 2 delivers visceral, gory combat with creative weapon use and co-op thrills—but repetitive mechanics, clunky controls, and a lack of innovation undermine its replayability.
Graphics and Visual Design
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80
Dead Island 2 dazzles with hyper-detailed LA environments and visceral gore mechanics, but its restrictive open world, stiff animations, repetitive zombies, and outdated visuals undermine an otherwise stunning aesthetic.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
80
Positive Reviews (80-100)
66%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
34%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Dead Island 2 dazzles with hyper-detailed LA environments and visceral gore mechanics, but its restrictive open world, stiff animations, repetitive zombies, and outdated visuals undermine an otherwise stunning aesthetic.
Music and Sound Design
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74
Dead Island 2’s sound design and music dominate with immersive, chaotic energy—combat sounds crackle, ambient tracks pulse, and jump scares thrill—but inconsistent audio quality, jarring music pacing, and underwhelming effects let the hype lag, leaving a thrilling yet flawed sonic experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
49%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
49%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Dead Island 2’s sound design and music dominate with immersive, chaotic energy—combat sounds crackle, ambient tracks pulse, and jump scares thrill—but inconsistent audio quality, jarring music pacing, and underwhelming effects let the hype lag, leaving a thrilling yet flawed sonic experience.
Voice Acting
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68
Dead Island 2’s voice acting dazzles with humor and vibrant performances but stumbles on inconsistency, shallow dialogue, and missed localization chances, creating a chaotic yet polarizing experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
68
Positive Reviews (80-100)
33%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
59%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Dead Island 2’s voice acting dazzles with humor and vibrant performances but stumbles on inconsistency, shallow dialogue, and missed localization chances, creating a chaotic yet polarizing experience.
Technical Performance
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72
Dead Island 2 runs smoothly on PS5 and Xbox Series X with solid frame rates and stability, though minor bugs and loading issues linger; PC performance is mixed, with optimization hiccups despite praise for netcode. While technical flaws exist, most critics call it a commendable core experience, with developers addressing issues post-launch.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
39%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
60%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Dead Island 2 runs smoothly on PS5 and Xbox Series X with solid frame rates and stability, though minor bugs and loading issues linger; PC performance is mixed, with optimization hiccups despite praise for netcode. While technical flaws exist, most critics call it a commendable core experience, with developers addressing issues post-launch.
Replay Value
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65
Dead Island 2 offers co-op charm, character customization, and skill-card variety for replayability, but repetitive combat, a short campaign, and uninspired side quests leave many feeling underwhelmed—its longevity hinges on whether you crave zombie-slaying chaos over depth.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
65
Positive Reviews (80-100)
19%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
72%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
9%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Dead Island 2 offers co-op charm, character customization, and skill-card variety for replayability, but repetitive combat, a short campaign, and uninspired side quests leave many feeling underwhelmed—its longevity hinges on whether you crave zombie-slaying chaos over depth.
Overall Verdict
72
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
50%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
49%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Dead Island 2 delivers chaotic, over-the-top combat and absurd humor, anchored by a vibrant LA setting and enjoyably goofy co-op play, but its repetitive mechanics, shallow narrative, and lack of innovation undermine its potential, making it a flawed yet fun survival-horror experience for genre fans.
72
MONSTER
Reviews
223 reviews found90
TheXboxHub
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is a highly enjoyable and satisfying zombie game with dark humor and gratuitous violence.
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90
Gamereactor Finland
Apr 20, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is highly praised for its engaging gameplay, immersive world, satisfying combat mechanics, and captivating storytelling. The minor drawbacks include a tedious character development system and excessive difficulty towards the end.
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90
Windows Central
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is an amazing action-horror game with fun and satisfying combat, creative level design, and a hilarious script, making it a must-play for both Dead Island fans and zombie game enthusiasts.
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90
Finger Guns
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is a fun and visually impressive game that successfully revives the franchise with engaging gameplay and a vibrant world, despite some minor issues.
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90
The Games Machine
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is described as a fun, gore-filled experience that excels in its slasher gameplay and visual design, appealing to fans of ultraviolence and old-school action.
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89
Hobby Consolas
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 es una experiencia satisfactoria que combina humor y acción en un mundo abierto. A pesar de algunos momentos de ritmo lento, es un juego divertido y emocionante.
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89
Xbox Tavern
Apr 21, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is recommended for its stunning graphics, improved combat, refreshing features like level-up progression cards and curveball weapons, and enjoyable co-op experience. The game offers a good balance between gritty and humorous storytelling.
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88
Generación Xbox
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is a fun and engaging zombie action game that successfully combines humor with intense gameplay. While not perfect, it excels in its core mechanics and offers a rewarding experience for players.
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86
GAMES.CH
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is praised as the best installment in the series. The review mentions that the game is not only good but also utilizes the long-awaited zombie action well. The developers are commended for their efforts.
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86
DualShockers
Apr 18, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dead Island 2 is a worthy successor to the franchise with an immersive world, engaging combat, and memorable characters.
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