There's loads wrong with Dead Island. It's as riddled with holes as the festering flesh of its primary antagonists. Every element of the game you can conceive of is infected with issues that would ordinarily be terminal. By all rights it should fall flat like a faceplanting undead shuffler. But just like those persistent, putrefied corpses, Dead Island keeps trundling on, somehow remaining shambolically entertaining throughout.
Take the marquee feature - four player co-op. It's drop-in, drop-out and as usual enriches the experience enormously, but because this is an action RPG in the Borderlands vein rather than a straightforward FPS the equipment you're able to use and your effectiveness against enemies is based on what level you're at. The problem being, unless you all started the game together, that level might not be the same as your co-op buddies. You aren't rewarded with extra XP for taking the time to kick higher level enemies to death, which means you can end up permanently hobbled as the group's glass-jawed weakest link.
The most ridiculous collision between the RPG elements and common sense involves the guns, which can only be used if you're of a certain level. Playable character Purna has to be the worst 'firearms expert' in the history of the universe, given that she's incapable of firing a pistol until she's snapped a few hundred hatstands over zombie skulls. It's even more hilarious when you've specifically picked the 'firearms training' perk in the skill tree and she still reacts to a handgun like Dracula would to a side order of garlic bread.
Efficiency comes from being imaginative - why spend an age stomping a zombie to pulp when you can hoof it off the side of a cliff instead? Why plump for a regular machete when, with the right components and liberal application of duct tape, you can create a scythe that provokes a brilliant electrified jig every time you score a critical hit? Also, if you can get your hands on a pick-up truck and find enough room for a run up you can gleefully flatten even the hardest bad guys for instant XP.
The world Techland has created is yet another combination of hilariously ropey and unexpectedly impressive. Dead Island's rarely a pretty game - there are PS2 titles that would bully it in the playground - but the environments it offers up are enormous, liberating sandboxes. The fact that it's a world rather than a series of levels means the contrast between the constant threat outdoors and the sense of protection that the various sanctuaries offer is more pronounced than any zombie game before it.
49 comments so far...
Eaglet on 6 Sep '11 said:
I have this on preorder, got an e mail today saying its on its way and i cant wait
, Nothing what a couple of patches cant sort for it to sort its glitches out.
OXM ETboy on 6 Sep '11 said:
Log and Mike have put together an entertaining (or so we hope) video based on Dead Island playthroughs gone a bit wonky. Look out for it in the next week.
Eaglet on 6 Sep '11 said:
Chers mate, will keep a look out for it, oh yeah i like the new look of ur website,alot better than the old look.
golliwoza on 6 Sep '11 said:
I like the look of this but I think ill wait for it to be a bit cheaper so I can get gears 3. I love the look of the co-op aspect though and it looks gloriously fun to play.
TinnoUnited on 6 Sep '11 said:
I will always remember the trailer for this game- watching it in awe of the graphics while utterly confused what was happening, and why, then at the end of the trailer realising it is all backwards. I was quite slow that day.
wishface on 7 Sep '11 said:
I'm not seeing the ugliness in the screenshots. Care to provide some examples of ugly graphics?
OXM MightySeven on 7 Sep '11 said:
When I'm taking screenshots, I'm aiming for the least eye-offending magazine page possible. Trust me, this game regularly looks like ass.
OXM Log on 7 Sep '11 said:
Don't go overboard, man. You'd be aiming high if you called it "watchable"
KernowDevil23 on 7 Sep '11 said:
Arrrggghhh!! I'm still torn on this one. So many conflicting opinions from the reviews I've read on the ' net that I'm at a loss to figure out if this game is an example of flawed genius or just simply flawed?!
comabob on 7 Sep '11 said:
Im leaning towards Flawed Genius meself!
Some elements do seem a bit iffy (according to reveiws) - BUT from all of the extended gameplay footage ive seen (Destructoid has a pretty long gameplay vid for it) - EVERYTHING about the game that i see during gameplay - The combat, the graphics, the open world, the skill trees, - EVEN the driving sequences! - Tells me that if and when i do get my hands on the game im going to love every minute of it...
Tiamtu on 7 Sep '11 said:
I've watched about an hour of gameplay on Youtube and the framerate, at times, is bloody awful. Visually not all that impressive, and the controls are, apparently, quite poor.
But really, who cares? I've pre-ordered it purely to play co-op with friends. I imagine it will be a lot of fun, and judging from the online videos, the numerous glitches are just as hilarious as gang-stabbing a woman in a bikini.
Sure, it looks poor - generic, cliched and technically horrendous - but co-op will save it, I think.
wishface on 7 Sep '11 said:
Show me then. I've read this criticism in many reviews. If it's true then i'd like to see evidence; the footage and screenshots i've seen aren't showing me poor graphics. The odd bit of tearing is the msot i've seen.
Badassbullet on 8 Sep '11 said:
Im tempted to buy this game despite reviews simply because it contains zombies. Mind you, i also bought Duke Nukem despite reviews simply as it contained the Duke...sometimes reviews are worth taking advise from.
comabob on 8 Sep '11 said:
You have to realise wishface mate that in this day and age - if a game doesnt have AAA Graphics like GoW, COD, Battlefield, ME - reviewers will ALWAYS say that they are poor...
I remember reading the Saboteur review on OXM where they said the graphics look last gen - frankly if i was involved in the making of Saboteur - i would have been deeply insulted by that comment (it looks amazinG)
wishface on 8 Sep '11 said:
This may be true, but the one thing I cannot see, from the footage and shots i've seen, are bad graphics. Surely posting screenshots of good graphics in a review claiming they are ass is a bit strange.
Saboteur was a rough game, but it wasn't as bad as was made out. The graphics didn't look last gen at all. They weren't amazing, but they certainly weren't bad at all.
wishface on 8 Sep '11 said:
Indeed, but I don't want a game that looks crap - to my eyes. I'm just not seeing what these reviewers are seeing, but it's difficult to tell on youtube.
comabob on 8 Sep '11 said:
imho if it looks great in screenshots (it does) and it looks good in motion on youtube (it does) - then its a pretty safe bet it wont look terrible...
unless u play ur games on a 9 inch, black n white tv?
KernowDevil23 on 8 Sep '11 said:
Well going forward blanking out the tiff about the graphics (!), I have watched and read every review I could find on this game and I think I will be picking it up tomorrow. The prospect of some OXM nights on this one is too much to resist!
MrFlibbleRD on 8 Sep '11 said:
I preorderd this game for myself and a friend (as his B-day present). I've always loved zombie-esque games and this doesn't look to dissapoint. From reviews and gameplay i can see this getting a borderlands like cult loving it.
Eaglet on 8 Sep '11 said:
Have just been playing Dead Island and i think its really good so far, am only an hour into it and so still getting used to it,i think the graphics are good from what i have seen so far but i have said this b4 graphics are not the 1st thing i look at in a game first, all im saying is that so far the atmosphere of the game is sucking me in and im loving it so far and also the freedom of the Island is great also.
wishface on 8 Sep '11 said:
I'm in two minds about this. I watched the Gamestop review and the game came across as pretty underwhelming and not at all as long as people have claimed. I wish there was a demo.
OXM ETboy on 8 Sep '11 said:
We've got a video feature coming up tomorrow which shows the game from a few different angles. Should give some of the points in the review context.
TinnoUnited on 8 Sep '11 said:
YogsCast have made videos on it, and it looks pretty good! Not a game I would usually go for, but I might just get this one. Still, I look forward to the OXM video on it and see how it looks on that.
Dellboy on 9 Sep '11 said:
If anyone else has played the game, it would be great if they voice their opinions as my best mate is 100% getting this day one release but i'm not too sure. I Dont' want to miss out om some Co-op fun!
KernowDevil23 on 9 Sep '11 said:
Ask your mate what it's like if he's getting it on "day one release" because that would be today!
comabob on 9 Sep '11 said:
Ivew got this sitting here in its shiny packaging waiting to be ravaged
however - ive gotta feed the damn baby instead....
(jerk baby)
KernowDevil23 on 9 Sep '11 said:
My missus hasn't been out to fetch mine goddamit!!
*slaps the bitch*
comabob on 9 Sep '11 said:
I never slap my bitch - she just has a minor tendency to walk into doorframes and "fall down some stairs" quite often...
wishface on 9 Sep '11 said:
What is this the 1970's?
comabob on 9 Sep '11 said:
Im 2 hours into this and really REALLY like it so far.
The grpahics are fine - nothing amaxing but definitely not shit. The controls take a little getting used to (im playing analogue - so ive gotta hold down the LT while using the right stick to swing like fight night) - it isnt the default option but it is very satisfying connecting a decapitating blow or lopping off an arm.
Theres a TON of loot to collect for upgrades and such and the map is huge.
It might not be GOTY material but it is definitely worth playing. Especially if you liked borderlands.
KernowDevil23 on 9 Sep '11 said:
I was in two minds whether to ignore this comment or not.....
Now look Mr. Face, my comment was made whilst my tongue was firmly pressed in to my cheek. It's what's commonly known throughout the world as A JOKE. I apologise if this was not to your taste but frankly, I don't give a damn what you think.
If you don't like it, I'm sure you can find a "womens lib" forum somewhere on the 'net.
wishface on 9 Sep '11 said:
Sorry, Mr Davidson.
KernowDevil23 on 9 Sep '11 said:
wishface on 9 Sep '11 said:
I'm not sure whether to continue playing until the 'day one' (it's 8pm) patch hits at least. A patch that's in danger of becoming a day 2 patch.
johnrambo1973 on 9 Sep '11 said:
If like me you were should I or shouldn't I buy dead island take it from me buy it. It looks better than fallout you can drive some pickup trucks, there are lot's of nice touches to this game. I had more fun in the first few hours play than the whole of dues ex. It's an open world where you never know what you will find. I went round the back of a building and found a solid metal pipe which with one swing took the heads of most zombies. That was until I came upon the brute zombie I hit it with the pipe and it seemed to say what was that and then hit me with so much force it lifted me off my feet and I landed about 8 foot back with a very red screen. So far I have not seen any guns but don't let that put you off. This game is a must buy and OXM needs to wake up and get real. Dues ex 10/10 and this 7/10 please get in some new reviewers. Dues ex is a good game but does not deserve that high a score and this should be 9/10. All this is based on the first couple of hours play.
Furie on 9 Sep '11 said:
Been waiting for this since those 2008 tech demos of the damage system came out. It's been a must buy since then and, after an ordeal of no info for two or three years, the trailer coming out boosted my excitement levels again. Reviews may be all over the place but, as a fan of B-movies, I was never not going to get this game. I've had it preordered for months (still waiting on my delivery) and just today won the game online (Amazon vouchers will be used for Saints Row instead methinks). Bring on the zombies, dammit!!!
comabob on 9 Sep '11 said:
Ive only just now (after around 6 hours of play) started to notice the damage system
Its fantastically brutal landing a baseball bat swing into a zombies arm and watching it dangle to the side with its bones decimated.
Its a bit fiddly to get used to but the precision and satisfaction im getting from analogue control is brilliant. Smashing their kneecaps in with a hammer and switching to a cleaver to hack their heads off is awesome.
STill havnt found any issues with the game from a technical perspective - some of the swings in combat look like they should connect but dont - but really - its hardly noticable.
Eaglet on 10 Sep '11 said:
I now have a baseball bat with a circular saw blade connected to it with a motor to turn the blade, dam im loving this game!, this is a MUST buy to anyone who is a fan of blood and guts, its own achievement system is great also.
Volitive_hownow on 11 Sep '11 said:
My friends and I are loving his game online, it is so much fun. We have been playing this all night every night since it came out, we just can't stop...well I can my TV died this morning
balls. I have had the game crash a few times and not load textures, but it's not ruining it for me. I have just reached level 21 and I'm in Moresby now and man is it hard. Especially when you run into a hideout of guys with guns! I miss being able to play it I hate my TV and it hates me apparently.
GHOSTY05 on 11 Sep '11 said:
So i'm assuming this is like dead rising but on a large island like far cry?
Is it free roam, with side quests and missions?
Eaglet on 11 Sep '11 said:
Yeah it does have a far cry feel to it mate and yes theres side missions also.
KernowDevil23 on 11 Sep '11 said:
Spot on mate. It's a terrific game from the blast I had on it last night. Co-op is awesome!!
wishface on 11 Sep '11 said:
The game seems structured for coop, but is perfectly playable otherwise. It's very good at creating the survival horror mechanic. A shame it's a little rough around the edges (mainly in terms of textures, particularly the chewed up corpses). It's like an ever so slightly rougher fallout graphically, but nowhere near as bad as OXM implied (and couldn't back up).
The only thing i haven't enjoyed are the thug zombies. They are too awkward to fight (and clearly intended for coop play). I had to switch back to digital fighting just to get out the way of their swing.
wishface on 11 Sep '11 said:
Far cry 2 was underrated, execept for the stupid respawning checkpoints and the weird inertia to aiming, it was actually half decent. It also had something more shooters shoudl have: a map editor.
martinmoore on 16 Sep '11 said:
this game is great fun yes its had some bugs but they've been patched and the ai has been tweeked too and it can't be that bad seen as the xbox version has sold out in my local gamestation store.......
its crazy they put the price of the game up too £47.99 thats insane !!!!
Decent_Jam on 17 Sep '11 said:
Well that could sound strange out of context....I worry about you guys....
It sounds like a fun game but one I know I would get bored of easily because of the open world aspect, might pick it up in a while, especially if my mate keeps it, but for now have to save money for more stuff.
Crayonmuffin on 27 Sep '11 said:
People that say this game has too many glitches are just cry babies. The biggest complaint I've heard is leaving the game and re loading in the middle of a bunch of enemies. The only reason this happens is if you leave the game while not in a safe area...so DUH you're going to be near a bunch of enemies. Cry about it more.
This game is excellent for what it is. Zombie RPG is the best idea I've heard in a while, and it hasn't disappointed.
wishface on 27 Sep '11 said:
Then you are fortunate to have not experienced a more game breaking bug. There are certainly plenty of them.
Enjoy it by all means, but don't be arrogatn about the fact it's monstrously and needlessly unpolished.
Crayonmuffin on 28 Sep '11 said:
Monstrously, no. A lot of the glitches in game are literally player mistakes. Minus a very select few.