Dead Island 2 finally has a new trailer, and it promises the same sort of humor, self-awareness, and zombie action as the other games in the franchise, plus one mechanic that’s completely new to the zombie scene. Instead, or as well as giving the player damage, zombie bites will also provide some sort of temporary power.
Dead Island 2 may just be the first to try this. With predecessors that are more known as fun beat-em-up games than anything, it seems almost humorous that this would be the franchise to add a totally new mechanic and depth to the zombie world. With miraculously, finally, getting a release date, players won’t have to wait long to see what changes this new mechanic brings.
Dead Island 2's Zombie Bites Are New Survival Horror Territory
From Resident Evil to Days Gone, no horror games or franchises have seemingly thought to mix it up by including powers in zombie bites. Dead Island 2 has given a whole new dimension to the combat, where zombie bites, as the trailer puts it, come with "a little pop of Z-power." After being bitten, the player appears to forgo their weapon in favor of clawing at zombies with their hands.
This missed opportunity by older franchises could develop their zombie lore and bring something new to a genre that can often be quite tired. Dead Island, true to form, has gone a different way to the typical zombie game narrative. Although unconfirmed, from the trailer it seems likely the powers will be temporary - much like Dead Island’s breakable weapons - but while equipped, could be used to great effect.
Where before players would avoid being bitten at all cost, they may now instead choose to take the hit if they feel the overall benefit is worth it. In instances where they’re surrounded by multiple zombies, for example, a single bite could save the player’s life in Dead Island 2, providing them with special talents that allow them to slice their way through the enemies like butter.
Dead Island 2's Gameplay Trailer Reveals New Zombie Types
Although far from the first game to introduce different types of zombies, Dead Island has previously largely stuck to the stereotypical shambling zombie. The latest trailer for Dead Island 2, further shows the gore system as well as multiple types of zombies that appear to have been added. There are some that explode on impact, covering the player with a goo that no doubt damages their health in some way, and others that run toward the protagonist at alarming shuffling speeds.
Although it might not spark the same fear factor as the zombie hordes in Days Gone, by adding these additional zombie types the game has expanded its lore and, most likely, ways to add in cheeky jokes. In some instances, it may even be completely necessary to be bitten by the zombie in order to defeat it. While there’s still a lot to be revealed about Dead Island 2, the new trailer has given players hope that when it finally releases, it will be worth the wait.
Source: Xbox/YouTube
