Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles, meet larger-than-life characters, slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail and evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer in Dead Island 2, out now. Buy it here.
Dead Island 2 is finally here, and it’s taking the zombie-slaying action to the streets of HELL-A, throwing the larger-than-life personalities of the City of Angels with the shambling hordes of the rotting undead.
The latest and long-awaited game in the series ups the ante with no less than six playable Slayers to take control of, whether you’re going it alone or taking to the dangerous HELL-A streets with friends, each with their own distinct personalities and gameplay styles. Depending on who you pick, you’ll get access to two different Innate Abilities, and each character comes with their own backstories and personal stakes in Dead Island 2’s narrative.
We realise picking one of these Slayers at the outset can be an intimidating proposition, so we’ve put together a guide to who’s who and what type of player each is best suited to below:
The Lowdown
Hailing from London, former stockbroker Jacob moved to LA with dreams of a career as a stuntman. Don’t let the aggressive demeanour and complete disregard for his own personal safety and wellbeing fool you – Jacob’s also very well-read and has a particular fondness for the works of Shakespeare.
Innate Skills
Jacob’s starting playstyle is all about attacking with ferocity, getting up close and relentless with HELL-A’s zombie residents and being rewarded for effort exerted with additional damage and stamina gains.
Feral: Jacob gets a (stackable) minor boost to damage when attacking in quick succession.
Critical Gains: Jacob gets a moderate boost to his critical damage while his stamina is low, and critical hits regain some stamina.
Pick Jacob If…
You lack the patience to hang back in a fight and do silly things like “manage” your “stamina.”
The Lowdown
Dani’s a foulmouthed Irish import with an attitude as foul as her sense of humour. With a history of roller derby competition Dani’s not afraid to throw herself at her opponents and her experience in retail means she’s well-versed in dealing with braindead hordes.
Innate Skills
Thunderstruck: Dani’s heavy attacks trigger a forceful explosion on impact.
Bloodlust: Dani regains some health when slaying multiple zombies in quick succession.
Pick Dani If…
You’re a melee-focused player who doesn’t mind risking life and limb in a scrap, and hearing a constant stream of colourful language along the way.
The Lowdown
Amy is an LA local with a laidback manner typical of a Californian. As a Paralympian she’s also no stranger to challenging herself and overcoming obstacles, which lends itself well to the city’s new climate of constant challenges and obstacles. The need for a keen eye and quick thinking make Amy a formidable opponent to HELL-A’s undead population.
Innate Skills
Relief Pitcher: Amy regains stamina when hitting a zombie with a weapon throw.
Divide & Conquer: Amy gets a minor damage boost when she attacks isolated zombies.
Pick Amy If…
You like to stay on the move, looking for opportunities to single zombies out of a crowd and hit them with deadly precision.
The Lowdown
Bruno is a savvy hustler with a disdain for corruption – whether it’s on the side of the law or not. He’s an LA native that’s had to fend himself from a young age, but that just means he’s learned the skills necessary to keep himself alive in the worst situations and somehow come out on top every time.
Innate Skills
Backstab: Bruno gets a moderate damage boost when attacking zombies from behind.
Rapid Reprisal: Boost Bruno’s agility and heavy attack charges when he avoids attacks with a block or dodge.
Pick Bruno If…
You love to outsmart and outmanoeuvre your opponents with and you have the reflexes to back it up. If sticking it to the man gets you going, then imagine sticking it to the undead!
The Lowdown
Jacob might dream of being a stuntman, but Carla’s a certified, death-defying stunt god. She’s a mechanically-minded adrenaline junkie so naturally her default position is atop a motorcycle at 200 km/h, but with resources at a premium in HELL-A she’ll have to settle for getting her kicks in a crowd full of bloodthirsty zombies.
Innate Skills
Mosh Pit: Carla gets a minor damage boost when close to multiple zombies.
Dig Deep: Carla gets a moderate toughness boost while her health is critical.
Pick Carla If…
You’re a risk taker who doesn’t mind taking one (or two, or five) for the team. You’re at your best when things are at their worst and you thrive in the mosh.
The Lowdown
Part beefcake and part tank, there’s only one real way to describe Ryan – he’s a beeftank. An exotic dancer with abs of steel and a heart of gold, Ryan’s less concerned with his own survival and more about reuniting with his little brother at any cost.
Innate Skills
Retaliation: Ryan gets a moderate force boost when using block or dodge to avoid an attack.
Seesaw: Ryan regains some health each time he knocks down a zombie.
Pick Ryan If…
Steamrolling everything in your path, using a combination of heavy hits and timely guards to knock zombies off their feet while staying on yours.
Dead Island 2 is out now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The cheapest copy is Amazon where it’s available for $78 including free shipping.
