Dead Island 2 Release Date, Trailer, And Gameplay - What We Know So Far

The first "Dead Island" was released more than ten years ago in 2011. Feeling old yet? In 2014, the now-infamous cinematic announcement trailer for "Dead Island 2" was released, but the game never was. Naturally, many people have been curious about whatever happened to "Dead Island 2" for years, even with Koch Media CEO Klemens Kundratitz finally saying in 2019 that "Dead Island 2" was still happening.

Well now, thanks to the Gamescom 2022 opening night ceremony, we finally have an actual confirmation that "Dead Island 2" isn't just happening, but it's almost here. Complete with a brand new cinematic trailer and even a healthy sneak peek at gameplay, there's more than enough new information now for fans to finally pick apart. "Dead Island 2" looks like it'll bring plenty of zombie-killing violence, but whether it can give fans what they want after more than eight years of waiting remains to be seen. Here's what we know so far about the long-awaited sequel.

Fans who have been waiting and waiting for "Dead Island 2" to finally arrive will have to wait just a little bit longer. "Dead Island 2" launches on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via the Epic Games Store, and Google Stadia on Feb. 3, 2023. The wait may be worth it, though. After all, fans of the first game have been looking forward to this one for such a long time that other games have literally parodied "Dead Island 2" in their own trailers.

Taking control of one of six playable characters, players will have to roam about the zombie-infested and decimated streets of Los Angeles. Each one of these characters is somehow immune to the virus spreading throughout LA. According to a press release from developer Deep Silver, you'll also be able to use your zombie-tainted blood to your advantage.

Shown off as the closing announcement for Gamescom's Opening Night Live, "Dead Island 2" actually received two trailers. The first is a brand new cinematic trailer showcasing the game's irreverent tone and large amounts of blood. It focuses on one of the game's playable characters, Jacob, as he goes about his normal zombie-killing routine in the hellish city of Los Angeles. Even shopping for groceries is a dangerous proposition in this day and age. 

The second preview is a gameplay reveal trailer which also shows off the basics of the story via some in-game cutscenes. Things get started with a horrifying kill, just in case you were worried that the game wouldn't be violent enough. Before we learn that humanity's survival is dependent upon the protagonists' immunity, the trailer also displays several more examples of lovingly-crafted zombie takedown animations. Players are even given a brief tease at some of the ways in which they will be able to use the environment to mow down zombie hordes.

The driving force behind "Dead Island 2" combat is in-your-face melee action. You'll shove weapons through zombie throats, curb-stomp zombie heads, punch zombie faces, and slice zombies right in half with swords. In fact, as seen in the gameplay trailer, there seems to be no shortage to the ways you'll be further un-aliving the undead from a first-person perspective. Throwable objects such as hammers and ninja stars should keep the infected at bay, but if they get up close you'll be able to pulverize them with sledgehammers, brass knuckles, or seemingly anything nearby that isn't nailed down. 

Guns are in the game as well (of course), but ammo is scarce in an apocalypse, so you'll have to get creative. And there seems to be plenty of room to do so, what with electrical hazards, fire traps, and enormous gasoline trucks that go boom when shot. The multitude of methods for hilarious zombie destruction are plentiful — closer to being in players' hands than ever.