Dead Island

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:23 pm

Good to hear, thanks

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:57 pm

Oh, one more thing... kick them when they run up to you. Then jump on their heads when they are on the ground. It really doesn't get old.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:09 pm

The blade chick does a decent jumping front snap kick, but I wish she would do a flying side kick sometimes.

Yet another game that I waited and waited for it to drop in price, bought it and got distracted by something else.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:40 pm

TheMix wrote:Oh, one more thing... kick them when they run up to you. Then jump on their heads when they are on the ground. It really doesn't get old.

So true. I kept expecting it to, but it never did.

I'm probably a couple hours from beating the game (on a save from last year) and might need to go back and finish that so I can try out a New Game + mode.

neofit · Post by **neofit** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:20 pm

Enigma wrote:I played as the gun slinger girl and now am itching to play as the melee specialist.

Oh, do I have to play a girl if I want to use guns? (got it on sale, was planning to start playing this week-end)

Also, any must-have mods?

Jolor · Post by **Jolor** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:31 pm

Paingod wrote:
TheMix wrote:Oh, one more thing... kick them when they run up to you. Then jump on their heads when they are on the ground. It really doesn't get old.
So true. I kept expecting it to, but it never did.

Took me way too long to figure this out

Partly though because I was having fun timing my sword swipes at the screamers running at me for a perfect coupe de grace.

btw: make sure you have lots of cash on hand for the final battle as you'll still need to be repairing weapons.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:32 pm

You don't *have to* but the one character that's best with guns is a girl. Her rage attack IS a gun attack, no one else does that.

The character's special traits are more easily read about in the wiki.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:15 am

I bought Dead Island months (maybe years?) after it was released for 5 bucks on a steam special. Played a few quests and stopped. Don't remember why. I believe it had to do with how jerky and "not smooth" the controls were. It felt like it (movement) was amateurish. Like it was a mistake of programming that it wasn't Unreal Tournament in its speed and smoothness.

So here it is 2017 and I've just finished 2 playthroughs. Once as Sam B and once as Purna. Which is weird because I find Xia and Logan to be more interesting.

Now I'm working on Xia (I actually have 3 different Xia runs on the go, but I will probably only play one from now on) but will switch back and forth between her and Logan.

This game holds up incredibly well. Movement is (I realized recently) intentionally not as smooth as a normal FPS, with running being a sort of lope and other weirdness that tries to make it more human and less "perfect response of a wheeled vehicle on perfectly smooth surface". After an initial adjustment period where I hated it, I quite like it now.

Characters have interesting skill trees, game maintains a sense of fear (that you'll get hit by a zombie you didn't see coming) while letting you become more and more badass as you level. Zombies/areas level with you, so scaling is a thing.

Anyway, my point is that this is a great game. Probably not news to anyone but I can't believe that a 6 year old first person game has held up this well.

It's just a lot of fun.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:25 am

I've had this one rolling around in the back of my head off and on for a few months now and it may eventually cycle forward.

I recall enjoying it and having a bloody good time mashing zombie heads. Still probably the best game trailer ever.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:29 am

Paingod wrote:I've had this one rolling around in the back of my head off and on for a few months now and it may eventually cycle forward.

I recall enjoying it and having a bloody good time mashing zombie heads. Still probably the best game trailer ever.

That trailer is probably the first one that I ever felt the need to comment on. I was absolutely smitten by that trailer. Not being a film student, I have no idea if it was well built, but it sure hit me hard with its style, camera work and music.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:34 am

While Dying Light might be the better game in a lot of ways, I remember rage quitting because after significant leveling (and lots in the combat tree) I took on 3 regular walkers and got my ass handed to me. I was relatively far into the game and the zombies were the most basic type.

Dead Island still maintains that element of danger, especially if you're Xian with the smallest health bar in the game and no damage mitigation, but if you're paying attention you can slice and dice and have fun while you're doing it. Dying Light just killed me because I made the mistake of thinking I could kill zombies instead of just running away all the time.

I'm going to return to Dying Light because without question, it's a great game, but it never (at least as far as I played) lets you feel strong.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:47 am

GreenGoo wrote:I'm going to return to Dying Light because without question, it's a great game, but it never (at least as far as I played) lets you feel strong.

I think one of the most common complaints with Dying Light is how overpowered you become. At the end you really are pretty powerful, but kind of like a Dark Souls game if you relax, you die. Going out at night in Dying Light was a supremely intense experience. I'm pretty sure my doctor would tell me stop if he saw my vitals when I was playing a night run.

Going back through this thread I see our comments about how this is the best game of it's type. Obviously it has some competition now. Dying Light being one and it was good, but I think State of Decay is still my favorite. Dead Rising 3 was the pinnacle of that series for me, but never as engaging as State of Decay.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:56 am

coopasonic wrote:State of Decay

My favorite zombie game, which has my least favorite zombie in it. It's an odd mix, like someone put peanut butter in my chocolate, and then rubbed cat hair on the outside of that.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:58 am

Since I don't have either of the other games, I have nothing to compare it to.

I've played it once with all 4 characters. And done 2 group runs. For some reason I love this game. Every so often I just get the urge to kick zombies until they fall down and then stomp on their heads. Doesn't seem to get old.

My biggest complaint is that the difficulty doesn't really ramp with more players. It's pretty easy with one character, and seems to just be easier with more than one.

I played the expansion as well, but was grumpy with the ending. Overall, though, I think the expansion is harder; but still not particularly challenging.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:59 am

Oh, and if anyone hasn't tried the developer weapons, a couple of those are a LOT of fun.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 08, 2017 12:26 pm

Eurogamer

Dead Island 2 is still alive, despite no news emerging on the game in over a year.

The last time Dead Island owner Deep Silver piped up about the franchise was in March 2016, when the company announced UK studio Sumo Digital was making the zombie-killing sequel.
...
Dead Island 2 was originally due to launch spring 2015. Now, it seems it won't see the light of day for some time.

I asked Deep Silver for an update on Dead Island 2 in the context of the lack of new information, and was sent over the following statement:

"Dead Island 2 is in development at Sumo Digital, and we are excited by the progress the team are making with Deep Silver's most successful IP. When we are ready to share more information, we will."

I had grown concerned about the status of the project after I'd heard a rumour that the game had once again slipped into development hell. But Deep Silver has insisted work is ongoing, so hopefully we'll see something of Dead Island 2 soon.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon May 08, 2017 12:43 pm

The trailer for DI 2 was also excellent.

I really hope that 1) it someday makes it to light, and 2) it doesn't suck.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 08, 2017 1:39 pm

TheMix wrote:The trailer for DI 2 was also excellent.

I really hope that 1) it someday makes it to light, and 2) it doesn't suck.

To the best of my knowledge DI 2 turned into Dying Light.

edit: As in, the developers left and made Dying Light when they didn't have access to the DI name.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon May 08, 2017 2:57 pm

GreenGoo wrote:
TheMix wrote:The trailer for DI 2 was also excellent.

I really hope that 1) it someday makes it to light, and 2) it doesn't suck.
To the best of my knowledge DI 2 turned into Dying Light.

edit: As in, the developers left and made Dying Light when they didn't have access to the DI name.

I didn't know that. I didn't realize that they were so similar. Guess I'll move it up the "want" list.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:03 pm

TheMix wrote:
GreenGoo wrote:
TheMix wrote:The trailer for DI 2 was also excellent.

I really hope that 1) it someday makes it to light, and 2) it doesn't suck.
To the best of my knowledge DI 2 turned into Dying Light.

edit: As in, the developers left and made Dying Light when they didn't have access to the DI name.
I didn't know that. I didn't realize that they were so similar. Guess I'll move it up the "want" list.

Well, it's a fantastic zombie game in its own right, but fighting is mostly a thing you do when you have no other choice, not something you seek out, mostly. I mean, you can fight, and presumably there are people out there that can do it often and well, but I'm not one of those people.

You can feel the DI heritage when you start in the shanty town slums. Overall it's a much better game. Whether you enjoy it more than DI or not depends on what you found most enjoyable about DI. If you like parkour you'll love Dying Light. If you think parkour is dumb....then not so much love for DL.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:04 pm

Dying Light has higher production values and is much more action-y, with parkour elements and faster movement.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:05 pm

But no kicking in the face? Or head stomping? I is sad.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:06 pm

TheMix wrote:But no kicking in the face? Or head stomping? I is sad.

Pretty sure it has face kicking. Can't remember about head stomping.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:14 pm

It has head stomping also, and drop kicks and lots of other stuff.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:17 pm

Whew!

Though I'm guessing it does not have a dagger that explodes zombie heads. I guess I can survive without that. I rarely play with it because it makes things a lot easier at times.

KDH · Post by **KDH** » Tue May 09, 2017 12:52 am

why is the game called: .. Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition (the only dying light on Steam, besides DLC)

and yet there is a Dying Light: The Following (DLC)

is it, in fact, a "complete version" (GOTY) and steam just didn't configure the page to say the usual .. This product contains the following (yadda, yadda, yadda) .. it is a January, 2015 release, after all

thank you, .. I'll hang up and listen to your answer

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue May 09, 2017 11:27 am

One other thing TheMix, Dying Light has no co-op that I'm aware of. There is a versus mode that was added after I played it. I believe it allows you to join other peoples' games, and play as the zombies. I don't know the mechanics of it at all, but there are night stalker zombies that track you at night and are especially terrible to fight. I think you get to play as one of them.

Here's a cool promo video that I hadn't seen before. The game plays out pretty much as the video shows, even the ending.

Run boy, run.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue May 09, 2017 11:49 am

GreenGoo wrote:One other thing TheMix, Dying Light has no co-op that I'm aware of. There is a versus mode that was added after I played it. I believe it allows you to join other peoples' games, and play as the zombies. I don't know the mechanics of it at all, but there are night stalker zombies that track you at night and are especially terrible to fight. I think you get to play as one of them.

Here's a cool promo video that I hadn't seen before. The game plays out pretty much as the video shows, even the ending.

Run boy, run.

In addition to Be-the-Zombie:
Devs play co-op (drop-in/ drop-out co-op for up to four players)
Dev Tools – Co-Op & PvP Update

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue May 09, 2017 12:29 pm

Thanks for the correction. I believe co-op was an important feature for TheMix so I'm glad that's cleared up.

That might also explain why I'm seeing videos (like the one I posted) that have more than 1 runner in it. I'm going to check out some gameplay co-op videos to see how it looks.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue May 09, 2017 1:32 pm

Working my way through Moresby with one of my Xians. I've returned from the wealthy part of town and am just tidying things up before heading back to the resort with a truck full of supplies. She is incredibly fragile, and since I don't like playing slow and methodically, I'm dying way too much. That said, my weapons are top notch right now and things die in one hit most of the time, especially if it's a jumping backstab, of course.

I'm using shock and poison weapons. I throw a blue military dagger to start combat and then use a purple toxic machete or an orange lightning kukri (which is a bit long in the tooth now) with more purples (scythes) as backups.

She can run forever and since I've already played through the game twice I'm running through sections of the game more and more, rather than clearing everything. This of course backfires on me when/if I get a couple of infected chasing me and I have to deal with them. Having aggro'd most of the city, stopping to fight results in a massive pile of walkers jumping on me as I finish off the infected.

I have another Xian (heavy dot build) in the jungle but I think my current one is the better build (basic vanilla crit build without wasting points on dots) so I'm going to stick with it I think.

For the record my third Xian is my first character and has points all over the place as I tested out various skills on her tree, so most skills only have 1 or 2 points in them.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue May 09, 2017 1:33 pm

I will say that Dead Island does a great job of making me feel like I'm at a real place. The resort and the way everything sort of fits together gives off a very real vibe, even if the graphics aren't the best and the physics isn't always accurate.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Tue May 09, 2017 1:55 pm

I mostly run through the city now. Fighting the constant respawns gets old. Once you learn the best routes, and where the zombies spawn, running is pretty easy.

Pro-tip (which you may or may not know) - jump on a car. So I'll run until I have a bunch following me; then, if I don't think I can shake them, I'll jump up on a car. Prevents me from being overwhelmed.

Also, she shines if you can get her a sword. The ones you are using have shorter ranges (I believe).

And shock is awesome! I found it to be the most reliable, proc'ing all the time. And it spreads to any others that it touches. Just gotta be careful if you are in close fighting, since it can spread to you too.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue May 09, 2017 2:51 pm

The Kukri range is decent, and the machete is slightly longer, but I noticed the wakizashi seems shorter than those 2. By the time I had Zed's Demise on Sam B and Purna I was well past using edged weapons with either of them. I look forward to getting it with Xian though.

Shame the swords have such low durability. Machetes are pretty robust.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:46 pm

Sam B is fun with blunt weapons. With high... Force, is it? Hitting a zombie and watching it fly away is good for a grin.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:57 pm

TheMix wrote:Sam B is fun with blunt weapons. With high... Force, is it? Hitting a zombie and watching it fly away is good for a grin.

Yep. Add an impact mod and zombies fly all over the place.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:59 am

The plan was to finish the game with all 4 base characters, but I find I'm starting to slow down. I will probably make it through Xian, but I'm unsure about Logan. It's possible Logan's unique play style will be enough to keep me moving forward. We'll see.

All this talk of Dying Light has rekindled my interest in it. I've always intended to return to it and this might be the time. Watching videos has reminded me just how much like Dead Island it is, but better. It also reminded me that I've killed a LOT of zombies in Dying Light, so my rage quitting over dying to 3 of them seems...odd.

Not sure I can burn out on DI and then suddenly play DL avidly, so I'll probably find something else to do after DI.

TheMix, DL is very very similar to DI in lots of ways. One interesting difference is that there is only 1 character with 3 different skill trees, and you gain experience by DOING things that apply to each tree. So combat experience comes from fighting, free running experience comes from parkouring etc.

Just watch a gameplay video and I think that will be enough to catch your interest.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Wed May 10, 2017 1:38 pm

Oh, I already had interest. It just hasn't hit a low enough sale price for me to bite. I'm not exactly hurting for unplayed games in my backlog.

One thing to try with Logan is the developer knife that 1-shots zombies. Especially nice when thrown and his ability procs causing it to automatically come back.

Oh, and you definitely want to throw developer weapons when you can. They are seriously expensive to repair.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Thu May 11, 2017 12:15 pm

On the final run with my Xian play through. Just about to grab the boat and then only a couple of hops until the Prison. The prison is fairly short and can be finished in about 2 hours, give or take depending on your play style (run and gun or methodical clearing)

edit: whoops. Somehow I completely forgot about the lab. Not going to the prison just yet.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Sat May 13, 2017 2:57 pm

Finished up with Xian, but nothing else has caught my attention right now and it's easy to just load up Logan and autopilot some more, so I am.

I promptly lost 2 orange weapons when Joseph got himself killed on the way to the sewers. My options were reload or quit. Both result in any dropped weapons being lost. Ugh. Worse, he only died because I had to keep stopping to pick up my weapons, so he was left undefended for too long.

Oh well.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon May 15, 2017 3:03 pm

So I recently watched some Dying Light gameplay videos and it recaptured my imagination and now I'm chomping at the bit to get back at it. Unfortunately I need to finish DI with Logan first (because: reasons), so I'm blasting along as fast as I can with him. I'm about 1/2 way through the jungle/lab act III. I figure 3 more nights, give or take.

I also saw a video of the developers talking about building eye tracking support into the game and then demo'ing it. It looked freakin' awesome, but I suspect (because I'm a pessimist) that what I was seeing were select moments when everything worked, with tons of outtakes with things coming apart.

Still, it was very cool.

Lastly, I forgot that you're sent in to infiltrate the city's power structure (political) and retrieve some documents, spy-style. That's kinda cool.