I know it's been a while since I've made a post, and I'm sorry. I spent a while getting ready to move to Cleveland for my new career, and I've finally settled in enough to pick up a new game and give it a first impressions review. So, without further preamble, I give you Dead Island.
Ah, the
island of Banoi, a fictional paradise off the coast of New Guinea, and a
beautiful setting for the surreal horror of Dead
Island. After the fantastically put together opening cinematic, featuring
the talents of Josef Lord performing the Dead
Island theme “Who Do You Voodoo (Bitch)”, a catchy tune, and a fitting
performance for the party that Logan (the drunkard you’re viewing the party
through) stumbles through.
After
the breathtaking cinematic, you’re able to choose your character. I went with
Logan since I particularly liked his brash attitude in the voice over that was
provided for his personal history. After your character choice, you’re treated
to your character awakening in his (or her) hotel room in the Royal Palms.
Quickly,
you’re thrust into the world of Banoi and the horror that lies therein. As you
search through the darkened hotel for any sort of useful objects (money, items
to upgrade your weapons or trade for more money, bandages) or any survivors.
Eventually you’re greeted by a soothing, disembodied voice inviting you to get the hell out of the hotel. You’re
ushered into the elevator shaft, where you pry open the top of an elevator and
leap in, plummeting six floors, before you’re able to get out of the cab (at
the behest of the same voice).
After
you have an exciting chase with the undead (these are the running zombies,
similar to Zack Snyder’s 2004 revival of Dawn
of the Dead) you’re knocked cold by a zombie and awaken in the “care” of
the Royal Palms’ doctor. I’ll leave that scene spoiler free. Once you’re up and
about, however, you’re free to pick up a weapon and head out of the hut you’ve found
yourself (and a myriad of other survivors) in.
All in
all, I think Dead Island is an
extremely solid game. The drop-in/drop-out system for multiplayer seems quite
intuitive (though I haven’t played with anyone yet, enjoying the game in single
player too much) as I’ve encountered several people who are ‘nearby’ that I
could ‘join’. The customization of weapons is hilariously fun. I’ve already
made a baseball bat studded with nails just begging to be embedded in a wayward
zombie’s head.
Play
the game. Play it a lot. Play it until your fingers bleed and your eyes have
long since gone useless.