Dead Island is a swell place to be if you're not dead
Zombies. Not the most original theme, but an intriguing one. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first heard about this game. A cross between the two big name franchises in the genre namely Left 4 Dead and Dead Rising probably. Both titles I am somewhat ‘meh’ for. What I wasn’t expecting however was a cross between Borderlands and, well, Dead Rising. You see, I loved Borderlands for some reason and to this day I am not sure why.
Thinking back, I guess it has to do with the levelling system and the vast array of weapons and loot to pick up; the two mainstays of every great game (well, maybe not every game). Add to that the one thing Dead Rising did really well, customizable weapons/mods.
You start off as one of four different character each with his/her own specialization (blade, blunt, firearms and throwing). You awake and find yourself in a hotel on a paradise island resort unknowing of what’s happened over the last half a day or so. You soon realize that there is a breakout of zombieism or putidus putridum ambulans cadaver morbi as I like to call it (thank you google translate). Being on a resort you need to ‘resort’ to using what you find laying around to protect yourself with which usually end up being sticks at the beginning. Don’t be dissuaded at the thought of sticks though, soon you can hook up batteries to the sticks thus jolting your zombie friends back to death.
Anyway, as you progress, you meet up with other survivors who need things done and gathered for them. Doing so will garner you experience and money, both good things to have. Each quest completed with further your progress to different locations on the island as well with your ultimate goal of course being escape.
The concept, the open world, the mission based story, and all the little extras are fantastic. However, there are some technical issues. Namely involving the menus and equipment screens and a glitchy mouse. There are also reports of graphical problems of which I haven’t run across yet. The problems themselves are fairly minor, but they are annoying enough in some instances to detract from an enjoyable experience.
That all being said, I really like this game. If you enjoyed Borderlands and like stabbing animated corpses, this is the game for you. Techland really took some risks with this title, but they pulled it off and despite a slight lack of polish, they made a really good game.
