All Articles: Dead Island

A handful of very huge games have been released over the last few weeks, but the month comes to a close with just a pair of new titles.

Deep Silver will resurrect the first two games in the Dead Island series as part of the Dead Island Definitive Collection for the PS4 and Xbox One. The compilation will add shinier graphics to Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide, and include all previously-released downloadable content for both games. An exclusive third game, Dead Island: Retro Revenge, will morph the series into a 16-bit side-scroller.

Also available this week is One Piece: Burning Blood, a one-on-one fighter for the PS4 and Xbox One. An adaptation of the pirate-themed manga, One Piece: Burning Blood will offer players “an advanced battle system that replicates Devil Fruit abilities and Haki techniques.”

We’ll be back soon to look at the latest digital releases on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop throughout the rest of the week.

We still don’t know if Dead Island 2 will be ready for its planned 2016 launch, but Deep Silver hasn’t given up on their undead franchise.

The publisher announced today that Dead Island: Definitive Collection, which includes Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide, will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 31. The remastered compilation will give both games a complete visual overhaul courtesy of several fancy graphical tricks that weren’t possible before:

• Higher Quality Textures – Game textures have been redone in a higher resolution and the level of quality has been improved across the board.
• Photorealistic New Lighting System – The lighting system in the game has been vastly improved, providing a much more realistic look to the beautiful sunny tropical setting.
• Physically Based Shading – The introduction of new physically based shading techniques due to the latest iteration of the Chrome Engine means a higher quality look to the game models and objects as they react in a more realistic way to various lighting conditions.
• Image Quality Enhancements Via Anti-Aliasing – The addition of more sophisticated anti-aliasing means that console players can now experience Dead Island without unsightly “jaggies“ – meaning a much cleaner look throughout.
• Improved-Quality Game Models and Geometry Assets – All major geometry assets (for example, NPCs and character models) highlight a marked quality increase.
• HBAO and Motion Blur Effects – The introduction of Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion adds an extra layer of depth and realism to the world. Through a better implementation of object shadows, while the all-new motion blur effects will provide a much more cinematic feel to the game experience.
• Updated Game UI – Providing a more consistent look between both Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide. Increase to equal quality level for seamless game experience.

Both games in the Dead Island: Definitive Collection will include all of the previously released downloadable expansions, as well as new features like online four-player co-op, streaming, and recording. PlayStation 4 owners will also be able to take advantage of PS Vita Remote Play and Share Play. Players will also get the chance to test out the “Power Fists” powerup, a fan favorite mod.

Finally, the Dead Island: Definitive Collection will include Dead Island: Retro Revenge, a side-scrolling endless runner that will be exclusive to the retail package.