Dead Island 2, the much-anticipated follow-up to the 2011 zombie hit, has finally arrived on Xbox Game Pass, surprising fans and critics alike. The game, which was originally announced in 2014 and went through several delays and development changes, was released without any prior notice or marketing on February 22, 2024. However, there is a catch: the game is only available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, who pay a premium fee for access to cloud gaming, EA Play, and other perks.
The sudden launch of Dead Island 2 has sparked mixed reactions from the gaming community. Some are thrilled to finally get their hands on the game, which promises a brutal and hilarious zombie-slaying adventure set in Los Angeles. Others are disappointed that the game is not available for PC or other consoles, or that it requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Some are also skeptical about the quality and state of the game, given its troubled development history and lack of promotion.
A troubled development history
Dead Island 2 was first revealed at E3 2014, with a cinematic trailer that showcased the game’s humorous tone and sunny setting. The game was initially developed by Yager Development, the studio behind Spec Ops: The Line, and was slated for a 2015 release. However, in July 2015, publisher Deep Silver announced that it had parted ways with Yager, citing creative differences.
The game then went through several changes of hands, with Sumo Digital taking over the project in 2016, and then Dambuster Studios, a subsidiary of Deep Silver, in 2019. The game also switched engines, from Chrome Engine 6 to Unreal Engine 4, and underwent several redesigns and rewrites. The game’s release date was pushed back multiple times, with no concrete information or gameplay footage being shown to the public.
A surprise hit for Embracer Group
Despite the long and rocky development cycle, Dead Island 2 has managed to become a commercial success, selling over one million copies in just three days. The game has also received mostly positive reviews from critics and players, who praised its fun and chaotic combat, its diverse and customizable characters, and its witty and irreverent dialogue. The game has also been praised for its technical performance and optimization, especially on the Xbox Series X|S, where it runs at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. 3
The game’s success is a rare bright spot for Embracer Group, the parent company of Deep Silver and Dambuster Studios. Embracer, formerly known as THQ Nordic, has been struggling with financial and legal issues, as well as a controversial restructure that resulted in the closure of several studios and the layoff of over 1,000 employees. Embracer has also faced criticism for its aggressive acquisition strategy, which has seen it buy over 200 companies in the past five years, raising concerns about market monopoly and creative freedom.
What’s next for Dead Island 2?
While Dead Island 2 is currently only available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Dambuster Studios has confirmed that the game will eventually be released on other platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. The studio has also promised to support the game with regular updates, bug fixes, and new content, including an expansion pass that will add new locations, weapons, enemies, and quests. The studio has also hinted at possible cross-play and cross-progression features in the future.
Dead Island 2 is the latest example of a game that has overcome a troubled development and a surprise release to become a hit. The game joins the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Fallout 76, and No Man’s Sky, which have all faced similar challenges and controversies, but have managed to redeem themselves with patches, updates, and expansions. Whether Dead Island 2 can maintain its momentum and popularity remains to be seen, but for now, fans can enjoy the bloody and hilarious zombie apocalypse in LA.
