Developer: Techland
Publisher: Deep Silver
Rating Guide: How I Review Games

Dead Island takes a formulaic idea of zombies and incorporates it into a resort island.  It’s a well-balanced combination of Left 4 Dead and Fallout 3.  And, I mean that in a complimentary way.  Who do you voodoo?  Watch the video that inspired the title right here.

At the game’s core, Dead Island is an RPG.  You can upgrade, repair, and even create and combine your weapons.  You can gradually increase your character’s skill level.  The game counters this by doing the same with the zombies.  It’s as simple as that.

You start the game with your choice of 4 characters.  Each one obviously brings a different skillset to the table for you to use, upgrade, and explore.  The game is experienced from a first person point of view so there’s always a sense of tunnel vision which makes for some pretty creepy surprises.  There were definitely times when I jumped while simply walking the beach and suddenly being attacked from behind.

Speaking of being jumpy, I have to also address the mood and visuals of this game.  Beautifully disturbing would best describe my feeling.  The Island (of walking dead) that you are trapped on has plenty of zombies sparsely placed all around.  It’s not like Left 4 Dead in the sense that you don’t really feel cornered in some hall or stairway with the need to watch your back at all times.  And there are no hordes and waves of zombies chasing you at all times.  If that were the case, you’d never get any collecting or repairing of weapons done.  This is after all an RPG.

But the game more than makes up for the fewer numbers by using sound effectively.  It feels like you always have to look over your shoulder while exploring because you never really know where the zombies making the noises are at.  In Left 4 Dead it was only the Witch that made me slow down and inspect my surroundings.  In this game, it’s constantly like that.

The game is a long one, like most any RPG.  Your job is to basically interact with the remaining survivors on the island and to follow through with the quests they send you on.  And there are a LOT of them. Luckily, if you’re not interested in doing dozens and dozens of quests alone or tired of plowing over zombies with your truck, the game also allows you to play with friends.  So you and your friends can eliminate multiple quests simultaneously.  And to make the deal even sweeter, everyone reaps the benefits.

Overall, Dead Island is a well-balanced game that delivers plenty of action and scare.  Have no fear this game is well worth the money.

[Insert witty hand's on with Dead Island Map App]

If you’ve played Dead Island then you’re aware that the island is full of little secrets.  Well those secrets can be revealed with the official Dead Island Map App on iOS devices.  The app gives you a look at all locations of the game and gives you the location of ID Cards, Facts, Tape and all the other hidden gems.  The best part is that it comes complete with a detailed screenshot of where to find the collectible.

It’s a pretty straightforward app that is an essential to your quest to 100% the game.  If you have an iOS device like an iPod or iPhone then you can have it sitting right next to you as you locate all those hard to find items.  The best part is that the maps are a perfect replica (albeit a small one) of the game’s island.

The app costs just $2.99 which is a cheap price for those of you who have an OCD for completing and finding everything in a game.  Head to the Dead Island with this app and you’ll be finding things in no time.

9.0

“Velvet”