Play it if
You want loud, funny, satisfying zombie action in the sun.
Skip it if
You want fear, scarcity and long-term survival.
Exhibit label
- Players
- 1–3 players
- Online co-op
- Yes
- Cross-play
- No
- Solo
- Plays perfectly well alone
- Voice chat
- Optional
- Threat level
- Tense
- Survival time
- ~25 hours
1The outbreak
Los Angeles has been sealed off and the infection is spreading through the city's famous neighbourhoods. You play one of six immune survivors trying to get out and find out who is behind the outbreak.
2How you survive
Combat is the star: weapons, mods and skill cards let you build elemental knives, electric hammers and much more. Enemies react realistically to every hit. It is more action than survival, with little scarcity.
3Alone or together
Online co-op supports up to three players. Most of the campaign can be played together, and friends can drop in. There is no split-screen on PC.
4Look & sound
Bright Californian sunshine is a welcome change from grey ruins, and the darkly comic tone fits it. Sound design makes every hit land.
5Setup & value
It lists at $49.99 on Steam and runs on Windows and macOS. It is Playable on Steam Deck, with some small issues.
Best bits
- Superb melee combat
- Colourful, varied locations
- Easy to pick up
Watch out
- Little real survival pressure
- Co-op limited to three players
Score sheet
- Survival feel 25%
- 84
- Gameplay 25%
- 92
- Easy to start 15%
- 90
- Replay 20%
- 82
- Value 15%
- 82
84 × 25% + 92 × 25% + 90 × 15% + 82 × 20% + 82 × 15% = 86.20 → 86
Curator's verdict
Verdict
“Dead Island 2 is pure zombie action done extremely well. It is not scary, but few games are this fun to play for twenty-five hours.”
By the Zombie Game Guide editorial desk · Updated 8 Oct 2026 · How we score · Report an error
