Dead Island

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,625 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dead Island Game Cover
A sluggish interface, weak guns and a few dull sewers cant slow this game down. Dead Island is huge, bloody and beautiful.
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Dead Island is a horror hack-and-slash game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, with a focus on co-op gameplay. The game boasts masterful mechanics, excellent graphics, and a fantastic soundtrack, but is held back by numerous bugs and a lack of optimization. Set on the tropical island of Banoi, players must survive a zombie outbreak and unravel the mystery behind the epidemic, resulting in a wholesome story with high replayability.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,625 reviews
story379 positive mentions
stability286 negative mentions
  • Fun and satisfying melee combat with a variety of weapons and mods.
  • Great co-op experience, especially when playing with friends.
  • Beautiful graphics and immersive environments.
  • Repetitive quests and gameplay can become tedious over time.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience.
  • Weapons degrade too quickly, leading to constant inventory management.
  • story1,516 mentions

    The story of "Dead Island" is generally viewed as mediocre and often repetitive, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Players frequently encounter a series of fetch quests and escort missions that detract from the overall experience, with many expressing frustration over the lack of character development and emotional engagement. While some appreciate the setting and the potential for exploration, the consensus is that the storyline fails to deliver a memorable or immersive experience, making it more of a grind than a captivating journey.

    • “The story is actually pretty decent, but there are also side quests that have nothing to do with it that can make it confusing at times, but they help you level up.”
    • “The main story is interesting and immersive although a few main/side quests actors could have been more convincing about their fears, the currently bad situation and the horrors that await you.”
    • “Great game with a great, engaging storyline.”
    • “The story is just dull and predictable.”
    • “The story is terrible and has repeated missions of escorting or finding pieces to what someone wants.”
    • “The quests are very plain and tedious early on, and the environments aren't much to talk about.”
  • gameplay558 mentions

    The gameplay of Dead Island is characterized by its open-world design, featuring a mix of main and side quests that can provide 30-35 hours of playtime. While the melee combat and weapon customization are generally praised for their fun and satisfying mechanics, many players note that the gameplay can become repetitive and is marred by bugs and clunky mechanics. Overall, the game offers enjoyable co-op experiences, but its reliance on fetch quests and a lackluster story detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Finishing the main story + all of the side quests (except repeatable ones) gives you at least 30-35 hours of good gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is really good; you'll need to think and plan to kill the zombies.”
    • “The graphics are nice, the co-op gameplay is fun and easy, and the game gets progressively scarier and more close-quarters.”
    • “A poorly made mess, riddled with bugs and terrible gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is dull, repetitive, and its graphics are a pain on the eye.”
    • “The gameplay feels forced, slow, and clunky.”
  • graphics530 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the beautiful environments and detailed visuals, particularly in terms of gore and combat effects. However, several users noted issues such as graphical glitches, limited options for customization, and a dated appearance compared to newer titles. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for a game of its age, they are marred by inconsistencies and technical problems that can detract from the experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the co-op gameplay is so smooth, the storyline and concept is pretty fun.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous.”
    • “The graphics are very nice and the environment is beautiful and very immersive.”
    • “The graphics look a bit dated compared to even older games like Resident Evil 5 or The Witcher 2, though this isn't nearly as high of a production budget, so it's to be expected to some degree.”
    • “There are too many graphical errors and glitches which really dampen the enjoyment because of how distracting these graphic glitches were.”
    • “The game has graphical problems by the ton, as if it was still in the draft stages.”
  • stability294 mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, bugs, and crashes that can significantly disrupt gameplay. While some find the glitches amusing and part of the game's charm, many others express frustration over the technical issues, which range from minor graphical errors to game-breaking bugs. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience.

    • “The game runs great on SteamOS.”
    • “It runs great as well, while looking beautiful.”
    • “Might be a console port, but it runs great and plays great.”
    • “The game is a bit buggy but I never found myself unable to continue because of bugs or glitches.”
    • “There are too many graphical errors and glitches which really dampen the enjoyment because of how distracting these graphic glitches were.”
    • “The biggest problem with this game is the glitches.”
  • humor103 mentions

    The humor in the game is predominantly highlighted in multiplayer co-op experiences, where players find themselves laughing at both the absurdity of the gameplay and the hilarious glitches that occur. Many reviews note that the combination of dark themes with comedic elements, such as funny dialogue and ridiculous character animations, creates a uniquely entertaining atmosphere, especially when playing with friends. Overall, while the game has its flaws, these often contribute to its humor, making it a fun and memorable experience.

    • “Completely hilarious.”
    • “Whenever you talk to your group leader, sad music plays for no reason, which is hilarious.”
    • “It's got a wonky combat system that makes for some hilarious moments, and the dialogue/plot is something straight out of a top-notch B-movie.”
  • atmosphere95 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, effectively capturing the essence of a zombie apocalypse set in a tropical paradise. While some locations may lack creativity, the combination of vibrant visuals, eerie sound design, and engaging environments creates a compelling backdrop for both single-player and co-op experiences. Overall, the game excels in delivering a thrilling atmosphere that enhances the gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding story and character depth.

    • “The atmosphere of a tropical paradise gone wrong is perfect; the zombies are unique and well done, the game is colorful and fun, it captures the zombie apocalypse feel very well, and by god if the weapons aren't awesome.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is fantastic, with a great combo of tropical vibrancy combined with creepy, dim places where zombies can creep up on you and scare the living crap out of you.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing: eerie and scary, yet beautiful.”
    • “The atmosphere is very dark, depressing, and creepy even in broad daylight.”
    • “The main problem for me is that the bright holiday setting created a completely false atmosphere.”
    • “Its a poor quality console port that lacks any sense of atmosphere or urgency.”
  • grinding68 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting the overwhelming number of fetch quests and the need to constantly repair and manage weapons. While some enjoy the co-op experience and the hours of zombie-killing fun, the overall sentiment leans towards the grinding mechanics feeling monotonous and detracting from the enjoyment of the game. Players recommend it primarily for those who appreciate extensive grinding and leveling in an open-world setting, but caution that it can become boring and frustrating, especially in single-player mode.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This game is clunky, grinding heavy, and overall boring as hell.”
    • “After you complete so many quests, the game itself gets tedious, especially the time wasted having to repair weapons, pick up cash, sell items to traders, and comparing weapons to decide what should be dropped in order to pick up a new weapon.”
    • “The initially satisfying melee combat becomes tedious and boring within a few hours due to its lack of complexity, and while I see how they were trying to make fighting zombies a taxing endeavor, it just ultimately adds to the monotonous nature of the game and becomes its most prominent flaw.”
  • music58 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and set the mood for various scenarios, particularly in horror and action moments. While the soundtrack features standout tracks like the opening rap song and effective ambient music, others criticize it for being repetitive and occasionally mismatched with the game's tone. Overall, the composition by Pawel Blaszczak is noted for its quality, though opinions vary on its impact on gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere and soundtrack are the best part, in my opinion.”
    • “The music is adapted to different environments or areas, so I have nothing bad to say about it.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is also really good, and constantly provides the perfect sense of dread in this apocalyptic world.”
    • “The only con that I feel is the soundtrack.”
    • “Everyone's depressed and the music seems suited to a bleak, hopeless, depressing game, not one in which I can chop a zombie's arms off with a hatchet and then trip it and stamp on its head until the jaw flies off into a tree.”
    • “There's no music when playing the game, which adds to the lackluster feel.”
  • replayability54 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of replayability across various games. Titles like "Killing Floor" and "Left 4 Dead 2" are praised for their high replay value, particularly due to active multiplayer communities and diverse character options. In contrast, games like "Dead Island" and others receive criticism for limited replayability, often feeling monotonous after the initial playthrough, despite some offering additional content or character choices that can enhance the experience. Overall, while some games provide significant replay value, others fall short, leading to a varied gaming experience.

    • “Such a good game, looks beautiful, plenty for completionists, and lots of replayability.”
    • “Full multiplayer and co-op abilities give it infinite replayability.”
    • “Great game, with replayability from different characters to select.”
    • “Overall, I'd say Dead Island is a fantastic game, but personally, I don't find any replay value in it considering all you do is become the errand boy.”
    • “It's boring, monotonous, and has no replayability.”
    • “Fun to go through once, but next to no replay value.”
  • optimization50 mentions

    The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including micro-stuttering and lag, even on high-end PCs. While some users noted that the graphics are visually appealing, they criticized the game as a poorly optimized console port, requiring additional tweaks or third-party tools to achieve playable performance. Overall, the consensus is that the game suffers from significant optimization flaws that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The graphic is good, the optimization is good, the multiplayer coop game is good.”
    • “- great, stable and optimized engine”
    • “It's brilliantly optimized, even my trashy old computer could run it at highest settings, way over 60fps constantly.”
    • “This game is very poorly optimized, and even though I have a good computer, the game lags like hell.”
    • “It is literally unplayable on PC due to its horrific optimization.”
    • “The entire game is painfully designed for consoles and deals with all the symptoms of poor optimization.”
  • emotional49 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has been widely criticized for not living up to the expectations set by its trailer, which promised a deeply moving narrative. While some players found moments of emotional resonance and appreciated the serious tone, many felt disconnected from the characters and disappointed by the repetitive gameplay and lack of a compelling story. Overall, the game is seen as lacking the emotional depth that was anticipated, leaving players with a mixed experience that often prioritizes action over narrative engagement.

    • “I was about 10 years old when my mother said to him, 'if you ever want to see your grandchildren graduate, you have to stop immediately.' Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
    • “Surprisingly satisfying story with a great integration of heartfelt moments throughout.”
    • “Much of the story is also rather touching (apart from an unsatisfying cliffhanger ending) in which you will see the effects of the zombie outbreak on innocent families, and the decadence that many survivors have succumbed to.”
    • “Repetitive gameplay, boring story, idiotic RPG elements (the only RPG elements are cutscene chit-chats and skill points) and very boring side quests (like find this, help him, etc.).”
    • “Very boring story (it's also hard to follow).”
    • “Boring story.”
  • character development15 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and growth for the characters. While some mention the potential for customization and skill trees, the consensus is that the narrative and character arcs are weak, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters. A few reviews highlight that the co-op experience may offer some redeeming qualities, but the general sentiment is that character development is a significant shortcoming.

    • “Dead Island combines first-person action with a heavy focus on melee combat, character development, and customization of a vast array of weapons.”
    • “The true game, including character development, actually exists in the co-op play and is pretty damned good.”
    • “Best story line in the history of gaming, with amazing character development and emotions that will leave you speechless.”
    • “Unfortunately, there is no character development whatsoever.”
    • “I do wish the character development was a bit stronger, and it would have been great to have some decisions to make.”
    • “Characters and character development are more shallow than a kiddie pool.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization of Dead Island has been criticized for its misleading advertising, which promised a survival horror experience with an emotional storyline that the final product failed to deliver. While the gameplay has some merits, the overall experience is marred by poor graphics and numerous bugs, leading many players to caution potential buyers to proceed at their own risk.

    • “An okay game with greatly misleading advertising.”
    • “The main reason was that the ads suggested it was a survival horror experience with an emotional storyline, and when it came out, many voiced their displeasure with the final result.”
    • “The original trailer verges on the edge of deceptive advertising, as what you see is by no means what you get.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

19hMedian play time
52hAverage play time
18hMain story
49hCompletionist
8-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 27 analyzed playthroughs

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