Dambuster Studios has teased among the “most exciting” new additions to Dead Island 2, the skill deck.
Set for release April 28, Dead Island 2 is the long-awaited follow-up to 2011's action role-playing game Dead Island. The sequel was originally announced in 2023, with Dambuster taking over development in 2023.
In a new interview with Game Informer, creative director James Worrall and lead narrative designer Khan revealed that Dead Island 2 is set 10 years following the original and happens in La because “of the astonishing eccentrics and self-confidence of the city.”
The pair continued to tease the skill tree, which is “one of, if not the most exciting accessory for the game.”
According to Worrall, Dead Island 2's skill deck is a “collection of slots that represent all kinds of different abilities, and you swap them in and out, quickly, however and whenever you want”.
“You may take some real risks with your loadout [because of it]. Often it pays off, often it goes horribly wrong,” he added.
Khan went on to explain how the skill deck is fun to play with. “You may take off, improve your skill mid-air, and land having a different loadout, that is amazing.” She continued to explain how this customisation makes “the game different for each player. It really is by what you're equipping, and just what you're doing with it. Every dev I've met plays [Dead Island 2] differently,” she added.
Described like a “zombie gore fest”, Dead Island 2 arrives out April 28 after being delayed by three months last year. It'll be on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Epic Games Store.
Speaking concerning the degree of gore, Khan explained it gets too much “when it stops being funny and starts being disturbing.”
“We've worked very hard on making our gore hilariously over the top, therefore it stays funny,” she added.
“Dead Island 2 is a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over-the-top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure,” reads the official description.
“This thrilling first-person, action RPG takes players across a brand-new playground – a hellish vision of los angeles (or HELL-A, once we prefer to call it). Dead Island 2 is stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched La. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the best Zombie Slayer!”
In other news, Redfall and Hogwarts Legacy co-developer Studio Gobo has joined focus on Sony's Horizon to grow the franchise.
