I just finished my second playthrough of Dead Island 2, and for some reason this game really resonated with me the way few other games ever have, and just like with the first playthrough, I’m kind of bummed that there’s nothing left for me to do in the game.
The story was the weakest part, but the gameplay, music, sound production, voice acting, “set design,” – everything-- was absolutely incredible, imo. Attention to detail is huge for me, and when I can read what it says on a tiny box of pills–that says passionate devs and quality publisher to me. I also LOVE how the zombie damage is depicted, with different weapons causing different wound shapes, and the guts jiggle independently of the body. Most satisfying zombie killing ever.
So what games did you yearn for more of when you finished it?
Spoilers
The game would be severely diminished if it’s story changed. IMO, the “good times” has more to do with Arthur being an “unreliable narrator” than the actual material circumstances.
This is illustrated best by Arthur recognizing Micah for what he was, while remaining childishly blind to Dutch’s character. Arthur’s constant doubt and reluctance was the truth bubbling up, just below Arthur’s consciousness.
The reading that Mica, Bill, and Javier are evil while Charles, John, and Arthur are good depends not on one group being more dishonorable, cruel, or murderous, but rather who stayed “loyal” to Dutch.
I think it’s brilliant the way the story uses the “ludonarrative dissonance” as tension not between gameplay and story, but perspective and reality.