Dead Island

[ScoopBrady]

I haven't had much time with this due to being busy but I have really enjoyed what I have played. I really like how you can be lulled into a sense of security with slow zombies only to have faster or hidden zombies snap you back to reality. It really creates some good tension. It is sad that the mixed reviews will scare people away from this one.

[webdanzer]

Though the game almost lost me with it's 'trying way too hard' use of profanity, eye-rolling character backgrounds, and "Who do/Voodo b*tch 'rap' opener, I swallowed the rising bile and found myself in an incredibly immersive world with some really fun visceral combat. The interface for managing invoices and quests is kinda sucky, though, and for a game where you're upgrading/replacing things all the time, it's something you have to hold your nose and deal with.

Still doesn't take away from the fun of drowning zombies in a swimming pool, or kicking them so they flop over the rail of a balcony, waiting for you to leap on top of the rail and decapitate them with your machete. Fire-bombing the subterranean rest room full of zombies was fun, too.

It's a game that will absorb you, but make you cranky too. Still, it has the 'one more quest' thing going on that caused me the first game related lack of sleep fatigue that I've had in a really long time.

EDIT: I should mention that the net is full of glitches about this title (borked quests, save corruption and progress losses, etc) but I haven't encountered any yet personally in around 6-7 hours of play on the ps3 version. I had read that it looked like it was related to the multiplayer settings, though, and I have been playing solo offline.

[Brando70]

Saw this is on sale for $20. Worth it?

[Rodster]

Brando they're releasing a GOTY version for $30 that includes all the DLC.

[Brando70]

Brando they're releasing a GOTY version for $30 that includes all the DLC.

Two questions:

1) How is the DLC?

2) If I only have room in my life for one zombie-smashing game, do I go with this or Dead Rising 2 (said as someone who really liked Dead Rising)?

[TCrouch]

Personally, I think Dead Island is the best zombie game I've played. I still haven't done much with Dead Rising (1 or 2), and only played a few levels of Left 4 Dead (1 or 2), but I finished DR in co-op twice. Loved it.

If you liked Dead Rising, though, perhaps you're better off with DR2. The combat in DI is what got me. Using the analog attacks to choose the direction you swing was awesome. Perfect swings to behead somebody, or attack their arms (or legs) to make it impossible for them to swing at me or move if I break both legs, etc. Dead Island was just a totally different experience for me.

[Teal]

Never played this one, until it was free. I succeeded in scaring the living sh*t out of my 13 year old while playing it today...lol. A zombie would be making noises behind me, I'd turn, and there it would be, then a "HOLY CRAP!!!!" would burst forth from the boy. It's been worth it just for that.

FWIW, though, it's a fun diversion. I've been having a hard time sticking to missions. I'm wandering around the island, just seeing what's what. It's a pretty big darn place, and fun to roam around in. BUT good grief, the sound of those BIG walkers just unnerve me...

[bulls23]

Glad I waited for this game to be free as I have been wanting to try it. Hard to play with the kids around as it is extremely gruesome. The graphics are surprisingly detailed and you can chop up the zombies every way possible.

Thankfully most of it so far has been in a daytime environment as it is alarmingly scary. For a horror game to scare the s*** out of you in bright daylight and a tropical environment is amazing.

I find it best to play co-op online so you get plenty of help. I couldn't imagine going at this game alone. For as old as the game is, there are plenty of people online. Probably because it went free.

[Brando70]

Finally got around to this, as I'm trying to play my free XBL Gold games before my membership runs out. Really a lot of fun. It's nothing super creative, but the I like the upgrades, skills, and size of the island. There's also a very visceral thrill in running over the undead in vehicles