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‘Dead Island 2’ Has Motorized Weapons, Mo-Cap Cats
This year’s E3 didn’t have as many surprises as I anticipated, one of the exceptions being the out-of-the-blue reveal of Dead Island 2, which is now in the extremely capable hands of Spec Ops: The Line developer Yager. They’ve made it pretty clear already that this next entry in the very popular zombie bash ’em up franchise will be a radical departure from what fans have come to expect from the series, including the tone, which eschews the serious nature of the first two games in favor of a sillier, more over-the-top style.
Some early previews are coming out of E3, so I’ve decided to scour a few for some new information on Dead Island 2. Much of the game is still under wraps, but it looks like Yager is determined to mix things up in regards to the combat.
For starters, that stamina meter? That’s no more.
On top of that, Dead Island 2 will introduce a new set of tools for players to use to dispatch the undead hordes. The new motorized weapon type will include powerful weapons that are fueled by gasoline players will need to scavenge from the environment. They’re stronger than the other weapon sets, but they bring with them the potential drawback of being extraordinarily loud, so they could attract unwanted attention.
Like cats? You do? Really? Okay then. I suppose you’ll be excited to know that Yager has motion captured a cat for the game — an apparent first for video games — so an NPC’s feline companions can look and act more realistically. I’m guessing that means it’ll spend most of the game out on its own, sleeping or doing whatever it is cats do.
We have the Jason Universe to thank for the recent return of Jason Voorhees, with the short film Sweet Revenge and Jason’s arrival in Dead by Daylight helping to bring the hockey mask-wearing horror icon back into our lives. What else is planned, you ask?
In a chat with Variety this week, Jason Universe’s Robbie Barsamian teases that everything we’ve seen up to this point is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Jason’s return.
“We’ve been busy behind the scenes laying the foundation that everyone is finally starting to see come to life, but this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Barsamian teases.
“We have a thrilling lineup of new projects that we can’t wait to share more details on soon.”
Barsamian also notes during the chat with Variety, “We want to give fans fresh takes on what they love most about Jason and continue to expand his world in authentic ways that resonate with horror fans today.” One of those expansions will take the form of the upcoming Peacock and A24 series “Crystal Lake,” which stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees.
“The Crystal Lake TV series will take fans back in time to tell the story of how Pamela Voorhees came to be the mother of all slashers,” Barsamian tells Variety this week.
“Crystal Lake” premieres October 15 on Peacock.
Callum Vinson (“Chucky”) is playing young Jason in “Crystal Lake,” which will tell the origin story of the masked slasher who has stalked the grounds of Crystal Lake for decades.
Last year, the Jason Universe team had teased that a new movie and a new video game are top priorities for the near future. But at this time we have no updates on either front.
Stay tuned for more from the Jason Universe.
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