Summary
Dead Island 2achieved the seemingly impossible and brought the franchise back from the dead. With its gore-filled mechanics and fun combat,Dead Island 2proved to be an exciting zombie-slashing time, but there was one major problem. The game didn’t take place on an island.
The firstDead Islandgame was set on the fictional island of Banoi, butDead Island 2took some liberties with what counts as an island. Instead of featuring an actual island as its location,Dead Island 2is set in Los Angeles. Due to Los Angeles, lovingly nicknamed Hell-A, being quarantined from the rest of the world due to the outbreak,Dead Island 2opts for a metaphorical island. Although hacking through hordes of zombies through ritzy Los Angeles mansions is fun, the island setting was missed by many. IfDead Island 3returns to form with an island location, one of the best ways to keep the franchise fresh would be by featuring an island that doesn’t share the same sunny climate as Banoi or Los Angeles.
When most people think of an island, they imaginethe setting of the firstDead Island. Stereotypical islands are covered in sand, palm trees, and nearly endless amounts of sunshine, but there are plenty of islands that aren’t tropical or sunny at all. So far,Dead Islandhas focused on locations with near perfect weather, but foregoing the sunshine for a more gloomy or chilly climate could be the best way to make a third game stand on its own while still staying true to the island-based setting.
Alaska’s Aleutian Islands
Venturing north could be a thrilling change of pace for the franchise.The future ofDead Island 2will feature more content, but the announcement of a third mainline game has still yet to be revealed. Despite the unknown, settingDead Island 3in a location like Alaska’s Aleutian Islands could be a perfect way to introduce a new chapter. The chain of islands features 14 large volcanic formations that are a treasure trove for exploration. Not only do the Aleutian Islands check the box of actually being an island chain, they are still filled with plenty of greenery and natural beauty thatDead Islandhas showcased.
Iceland and Ireland
Two other possibilities would be Iceland or Ireland. Both countries are unique islands that have plenty of potential for exciting stories. Going to Iceland would be a drastic departure for the series, but that may be just whatDead Islandneeds. From the beautiful black sand beaches to the volcanoes, Iceland is filled with incredible scenery that would be a fun contrast to an oncoming zombie virus that wreaks havoc on its capital of Reykjavík.The zombie genre needs a major shift, and an Iceland setting has yet to be seen.
FollowingDead Island 2’sHausandSoLAFestivalDLCs, Dambuster Studios has more post-launch plans that could present a great opportunity to feature an island-based expansion.
Ireland would alsobringDead Islandback to its island rootswhile allowing Dambuster Studios to showcase a wonderful country with a rich landscape. From the streets and pubs of Dublin to the beautiful craggy cliffs overlooking the ocean, Ireland could easily be one of the most exciting setting changes for theDead Islandfranchise.
FollowingDead Island 2’s strong Steam debut, the likelihood ofDead Island 3seems stronger than ever.Dead island 2’s Los Angeles setting presented players with a great time, but it would be better if the next game actually lived up to the setting that the series established from the start. On the one hand, a return to Banoi would be exciting and nostalgic, but dealing with a zombie outbreak in a brand-new climate could be the strongest way for the franchise to expand its concept.
