The Long-Awaited Arrival of Dead Island 2: How Dambuster Brought the Game to Life

After years of anticipation, Dead Island 2 is finally available. The game's tumultuous development history is well-documented, with the project initially being handled by Spec Ops: The Line developer Yager before being passed to Sumo Digital and eventually landing at Dambuster Studios. According to game director David Stenton, the team at Dambuster wasn't intimidated by the pressure of taking over a project that had been in development for six years. Instead, they focused on honoring the franchise's legacy while pushing the boundaries of what a zombie game could be. The final product is a result of Dambuster's vision, with the team starting from scratch in 2018 and building a game that celebrates the zombie genre in all its over-the-top glory. The game's melee combat is a key focus, with Stenton noting that there aren't many first-person melee combat games on the market. The team also aimed to put their own stamp on the franchise, embracing a pulp tone that revels in the absurdity and spectacle of zombie-slaying. One of the key decisions made by Dambuster was to abandon the original vision for Dead Island 2, instead opting to create a new game that would live up to the franchise's name. The team was determined to deliver a unique experience, rather than simply trying to recreate what had come before. This approach allowed them to create a game that is both faithful to the Dead Island series and distinctly their own. The game's setting, Los Angeles, was a key factor in shaping the team's vision. Stenton notes that the city is a melting pot of cultures and personalities, and the team sought to capture this diversity in the game's characters and enemies. Players can choose from six playable characters, each with their own unique style and backstory. The game also features a wide range of non-playable characters, from quirky individuals inhabiting luxurious mansions to the undead denizens of 'Hell-A'. Throughout the game, Dambuster aimed to create a sense of fun and spectacle, with a focus on over-the-top action and absurdity. The team's goal was to create a game that would stand out in a crowded market, and Stenton believes that they have succeeded in doing so. With its unique blend of melee combat, pulp tone, and quirky characters, Dead Island 2 is a game that is sure to appeal to fans of the zombie genre and action games in general.