Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory, bloody zombie shooter sequel with co-op play.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Dead Island: Riptide
What's It About?
After narrowly escaping the zombie-infested island of Banoi in 2011's Dead Island, the remaining survivors -- Sam, Logan, Xian, and Purna -- take to a military ship for safety. Problem is, a monsoon carries the infection to them, transforming the crew and forcing the gang to destroy the carrier; and so they must take their chances on another nearby (and fictitious) island, Palanai. When a fifth character, John Morgan, joins the team, the group collectively discovers that the new island is also infested and must fight for survival once again. As with its predecessor, DEAD ISLAND: RIPTIDE is a shooter with "survival horror" elements, with a strong focus on cooperative play.
Is It Any Good?
If you enjoyed the first game then you'll likely have fun running, gunning, and slashing through this bloody sequel. If you can forgive the lame story and bland characters who don't seem to have any real "life" to them -- unlike Telltale Games' amazing zombie story, The Walking Dead -- this new gorefest includes open-world gameplay, role-playing game (RPG)-like elements, new vehicles (like boats) and enemies, and a focus on four-player first-person co-op action. The game is better played with others online than by yourself, where you might be more likely to scrutinize the technical bugs, repetitive missions, and mixed graphics (water and blood effects look good but not much else). At best, wait until this game hits the bargain bins or consider a weekend rental before laying down $40 to $50 for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the developers handled this sequel to Dead Island, and perhaps debate if the game is different enough to justify the purchase. Or do players like when game makers don't mess with the formula too much?
Families can also discuss the impact of media violence.
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , investigation , thinking critically
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Deep Silver
- Release date : April 23, 2013
- Genre : Survival Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , STEM
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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