Bloodbath in paradise: Action classic for $2 instead of $20

Dead Island: Riptide is the second installment in the zombie series and picks up right where the first game left off. The original took players to the fictional tropical island of Banoi, known for its white sand beaches, luxury resorts and crowds of tourists – who, unfortunately, had turned into flesh-hungry zombies. Riptide begins aboard the rescue ship ES Meridian, which was meant to carry the survivors to safety. Instead, it crashes near Palanai, a neighboring island in the Banoi archipelago. Unlike the sun-soaked main island, Palanai is covered in dense jungle, flooded villages and crumbling military outposts. And just like before, the undead are everywhere. The game features five characters, each with their own combat style. For instance, Sam B specializes in blunt weapons like hammers and bats, while Xian Mei, a former secret agent, prefers fast, precise strikes with bladed weapons.

Brutal melee combat is at the heart of Dead Island: Riptide. Players fend off the undead using improvised weapons like baseball bats, axes, machetes and pipes – many of which can be upgraded with scavenged materials. For example, driving nails through a bat not only boosts damage but also adds a satisfying dose of splatter. The game allows for targeted strikes, smashing a zombie’s kneecaps makes it nearly impossible for them to chase you, while a heavy blow to the head ends the fight fast. Firearms do exist on Palanai, but they’re rare and ammo is always limited. As a result, players are often thrown into gritty, up-close battles with the undead. A major highlight is the co-op mode, where up to four players can explore the island together and take on the zombie threat as a team. It’s a fan favorite, as working together and managing resources wisely often means the difference between survival and a bloody end.