Dead Island 2 release date: UK launch time & pre-order details
Finally, we know when Dead Island 2 is coming out.
The Dead Island 2 release date is couldn't be much closer, and now your thoughts may have turned to the precise UK launch time for the game. When exactly can we start playing?
The answer to that question has now been answered, so we've chucked it into our handy guide about the game. All the essential information is further down this page just waiting for you to read it, like a zombie roaming the streets just waiting for you to slash it to pieces.
Also, now that the Dead Island 2 review embargo has lifted, we're allowed to tell you our complete thoughts on the game. We opted to give it three stars out of a possible five, so the game is basically something of a mixed bag.
As we said in our Dead Island 2 review: "It has some fun ideas, and the sunny setting is really refreshing, but it won't go down as a great solo experience in this player's books. We spent quite a lot of our playtime being annoyed, but the satisfying moments almost made up for it."
Keep on reading for all the key details on the Dead Island 2 release date, including the all-important UK launch time.
When is the Dead Island 2 release date?
The Dead Island 2 release date is Friday 21st April 2023, the developers have confirmed, and pre-orders are available now from the likes of GAME.
Yes, that's right – the game that was announced nearly 10 years ago and moved between three different developers has done the unthinkable and had its release date confirmed.
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What is the UK launch time for Dead Island 2?
The UK launch time for Dead Island 2 is midnight BST, the developers confirmed with the tweet below.
This means that you should be able to jump into the game at the very moment that the clock ticks over into Friday 21st April. The countdown is nearly over, folks!
Which consoles and platforms can play Dead Island 2?
It's been confirmed that Dead Island 2 will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, so you shouldn't be short of ways to play it! There's no sign of a Nintendo Switch release, though.
Is Dead Island 2 on Xbox Game Pass?
No, Dead Island 2 is not on Xbox Game Pass or any other subscription service such as PS Plus. At launch, the only way to get the game will be to buy it the old-fashioned way.
Of course, there's no way of knowing for sure whether Dead Island 2 will come to Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus at a later date, but your guess is as good as ours on that front! Certainly, if you want to play the game at launch, you'll need to order a copy.
Can I pre-order Dead Island 2?
Yep, pre-orders are well and truly under way for Dead Island 2, so you can secure your copy now. Here in the UK, both GAME and Amazon already have Dead Island 2 listed.
In the meantime, while you wait for your copy to be delivered, if you want to want to learn more about the game, you can watch our full interview from Gamescom 2022 below!
Dead Island 2 gameplay and story details
Dead Island 2 will allow you to pick from six playable characters, before throwing you into a zombie-infested version of Los Angeles (yes, we know LA isn't an island - just go with it) for a wholly original story.
Each of these characters will be good at different things, but you'll also be able to tinker your character build as you go. You'll also find yourself picking up all manner of weapons, from old favourites like guns and shivs to surprising inclusions like electrified claws.
At Gamescom 2022, RadioTimes.com had a chance to try out the game, and we found the combat in the demo to be very melee-focused and surprisingly challenging. It's very satisfying when you absolutely nail a scenario, obliterating every enemy in your path and unlocking the next chapter of the story.
The game takes place from a first-person perspective and it welcomes a variety of approaches. We found that going into combat in a gung-ho fashion rarely worked, but using environmental attacks really did. You can check out our interview at the top of this page to see how the developers describe it.
Read more on Dead Island 2:
- Dead Island 2 cast - full voice actors list
- Dead Island 2 trophies - all achievements to unlock
- Dead Island 2 multiplayer - how does co-op work?
- Dead Island 2 characters - slayers' differences
- Dead Island 2 map - your regions to explore
- Dead Island 2 review - our final verdict
Is there a Dead Island 2 trailer?
Yes, there are a couple of trailers for Dead Island 2 doing the rounds at the moment, and you can check one of them out below. This is actually a cinematic title sequence, which should tide you over nicely until the Dead Island 2 release date on 21st April.
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Authors
Rob Leane is the Gaming Editor at Radio Times, overseeing our coverage of the biggest games on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, mobile and VR. Rob works across our website, social media accounts and video channels, as well as producing our weekly gaming newsletter. He has previously worked at Den of Geek, Stealth Optional and Dennis Publishing.
