Image: THQ Nordic
After nine years of development hell, an Amazon listing has confirmed that Dead Island 2 is finally happening.
A premature Amazon listing has revealed that Dead Island 2 will launch on February 3, 2023. The survival-horror sequel was revealed nine whole years ago, before entering development hell and missing multiple planned release dates in a row. It also switched development studios three times, going from Yager Productions to Sumo Digital, before finally settling at Dambuster Studios.
The Amazon listing is clearly legitimate, including not just a full plot description of the game, but multiple screenshots depicting its coastal setting, melee weapons and rampaging zombies. The game’s February 3 release date is also included in the listing, which lines up with statements from publisher Embracer Group that Dead Island 2 would launch sometime in 2023.
The listing’s product description describes its plot:
A deadly virus is spreading across Los Angeles, California, turning its inhabitants into ravenous zombies. The city is in quarantine and the military have retreated. Bitten, infected, but more than just immune, you learn to harness the zombie inside. Only you, and the handful of other swaggering fellows who happen to be resistant to the pathogen, holds the future of LA (and humanity), in the balance. As you uncover the truth behind the outbreak you’ll discover who – or what – you are. Survive, evolve, save the world – just another day in LA! 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 a thrilling First-Person Action RPG that takes players across a brand-new playground. 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. See you in HELL-A!
This confirms that not much has changed since Dead Island 2’s initial reveal trailer, which famously included a jogger out for a run in LA, blissfully aware of an ongoing apocalypse:
The sequel will take players to multiple locations across post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, ranging from the Beverly Hills suburbs to sunny Venice Beach. Its combat looks similar to the Dying Light franchise, in that players will be given an array of melee weapons to find or craft, and then use those weapons to brutalise the zombie horde. Six playable ‘Slayers’ are available to choose from, with unique personalities, dialogue, customisable abilities and a skill system that allow for Borderlands-like builds.
LA’s zombie horde consists of dozens of distinct zombie types, each with unique mutations, attacks and variants all themed after LA and its populace. The Amazon listing details Dying Light 2’s Day One edition, which includes a few cosmetics, a melee weapon and a weapon perk. Seeing as the game (along with a sequel to Tales From the Borderlands) popped up on Amazon so close to Geoff Keighley’s Gamescom Opening Night Live showcase next week, I’m willing to bet we’ll see a full reveal then.
The event kicks off on 23 August next week, giving us new looks and trailers for Hogwarts Legacy, Sonic Frontiers and The Callisto Protocol among others.
