Dead Island 2 vs Dead Island 1 | Direct Comparison

Review code provided by Deep Silver.
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Direct visual and gameplay comparison of the newly released "Dead Island 2" and the original entry to the series, "Dead Island."
This video covers a ton of content for Dead Island 2 - all spoiler free, including various gameplay features, UI elements, and other aspects of the game that have been modified. Dead Island Definitive Edition was used due to it being the only official version of the game available on digital storefronts - though footage of the original release is included.
Both games are being played on the PC at their highest graphical settings, with post processing effects like motion blur, film grain, and chromatic aberration disabled.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:19 Patreon
01:07 Settings
01:57 Characters/Models
08:17 Environments
11:34 Lighting
13:53 Shadows
14:31 Effects
16:59 Gameplay
22:04 Sound
27:10 Final Thoughts
Computer Specs used:
Win10
RTX 4090 Founders Edition
Intel i9 10900kf
32gb DDR4 (3200Mhz) DRAM
Installed on SSD
Win10
RX 6900 XT
AMD Ryzen 9 5950x
32gb DDR4 (3200MHz) DRAM
Installed on SSD
Learn more about my setup here: • Ultimate Gaming Setup ...
New Setup video is coming soon.
#DeadIsland2 #nick930 #DirectComparison

[@Enivoke]

There is going to be a big difference for sure. I enjoyed the first Dead island even though most people didn’t, I still go back from time to time and give people powerful weapons for free.

[@Ronnie2787]

First one was great.

[@spike5499]

What are you talking about? It has very positive reviews on steam lol

[@derekwilhelm1555]

Yea its fine not great kinda janky but really fun i always pick sam its hard to pick anyone else

[@Enivoke]

@@spike5499 I’m talking about the original, not the definitive.

[@spike5499]

@@Enivoke what's the difference

[@tigeralpha7600]

But seriously this game is very well optimized considering how bad recent games have been

[@murderman8578]

And this was in development hell compared to modern games

[@tigeralpha7600]

@@murderman8578 well some games like 2077 were in development for 8 years too and we know how great it was don't we?

[@TenderPantyz]

@@tigeralpha7600 what are you talking about? The earliest that game began development was 2016, but reportedly didn’t begin full development until 2018 hence the broken release.

[@irecordwithaphone1856]

​@tiger Alpha Pre production is not the same. When that first teaser came out Cyberpunk 2077 was not really actively under development

[@hieubuimanh9521]

Not to mention it was developed using Unreal Engine 4, which is notorious for horrible optimization on PC. Beside Atomic Heart, DI2 is one of a few UE based game that run well on PC out of the box.

[@b1thearchitect401]

The lighting & vegetation in Dead Island 1 holds up shockingly well

[@train_go_boom2065]

Banoi is still pretty

[@kiillabytez]

Same for Far Cry 1.

[@MelvinGundlach]

Dead Island 2‘s environments really look incredible, both from a technical and art perspective.

[@nathandrake9737]

I love the art design of this game. The photo-realism works super well.

[@LakevusParadice]

If the second is photo realism. What would you consider the first?

[@void7837]

​@@LakevusParadiceits more of a comic styled realism

[@LakevusParadice]

@@void7837 comic? why do you say that? i dont get any sort of "comic" vibe at all. if anything i get more of what you would imagine what you see for a vacation brosure than a comic

[@void7837]

@@LakevusParadice it literally does have cartoonish visual effects lol

[@LakevusParadice]

@@void7837 i would argue that more of the visual effects in the second, after watching this video again. are way more cartoony than the first. which ones in the original would you say are "cartoony"?

[@mosescuh3644]

One of my favorite aspects of Dead Island 2 is the amount of props that react to player actions. For example trash cans, cones, house appliances... Makes heavy weapons much better seeing all the debree around you go flying due to the shockwave effects. Not to mention throwing a zombie into a bunch of movable objects is just so satisfying

[@Moaiticus]

I’m glad to see you do a direct comparison on both games, this franchise is really great and I’m still surprised the 2nd game even came out at all!

[@mikr13]

Thanks for being the best comparison review channel brother. Keep up the great work!

[@Tbo69]

Bro didn’t even like ur comment 😭💀

[@mikr13]

@@Tbo69 and this matters how?

[@Tbo69]

@@mikr13 I thort it said u donated $100 ma bad Edit: u did donate $100 😂😂

[@mikr13]

@@Tbo69 I did & it wasn't to gather attention of any kind Also, it's not 100$, it's INR so about 2$

[@Nick930]

thank you for your support!

[@kylocidy3366]

I was eagerly awaiting this one! I was getting nervous you weren't going to make a comparison for Dead Island given the content and time since release, but I'm glad to see you were taking the time to really get to know the game and produce a longer than usual video for it. Love your stuff!

[@Youraveragegamer_97]

I decided to go with Ryan because for the first time I can play a game that will call out my name

[@DickKickem87]

The myth the legend !!! ✊

[@rkitchen69]

Me too😂

[@Bugsitogamer]

Worth mentioning that in the OG DI you could drown zombies, whereas in Riptide and the Defenitive Es. you couldn't. I would like this feature to return to the series, and they can add some drowned or divers zombies.

[@nicholasgrossman3194]

Yes you can. In the 2nd house clearing mission, lock the gates, you can kick zombies into water. The Water drop symbol means that they are taking 'water' damahe

[@RileyNewcomb]

Dead island 1 gave such an amazing feeling. You felt sad for these people who were vacationing then turned zombies and it was such a fun game to explore with friends when it first came out. What an experience 😢

[@ai_is_a_great_place]

All your comparison videos are absolutely phenomenal. Thanks for providing this in the shadow of demonization!

[@peterlawson8040]

😢😢😢

[@Paramurasaki]

Thank you so much! Was waiting for this video! Even if I already know which part is the best, your comparison is by far superior :)

[@cruzader3630]

i think the only thing that the game mostly needs now is a hitstop system and also better animations (with some effects that indicates force) because right now, even though the combat and gore system is amazing itself, it kinda bothers me when swinging my weapons with some janky moments.

[@mobile_games87]

I love your Direct comparison videos I think they are pretty neat to look at.

[@flipadoodles8677]

how does this one video do so much more of a better job showing off what makes dead island stand out from the rest than every single other review

[@biskveeet8877]

Is it only me or the sound of the zombies are actually better in DI 1?

[@Nick-s-f]

The only thing I miss from Dead Island 1 is the armed human enemies (DI2 feels a bit too easy). However, I think DI2 can benefit greatly from some added replay value through dlc. Its an excellent, traditional fpv zombie game..it just needs more content.

[@valentinherzog4869]

i think its because in some countries on the world a game is not legal to play games with first person and body parts drop off.

[@timothyholloway9517]

Another awesome video!! I love this channel!!

[@CheeseSlurpy]

My favourite audio decision is from the weapon perk which causes head attacks to cause explosions. If you land one, a thunderous boom accompanies the. Especially when you use the bolt action. There is a huge crack of the sound barrier breaking.

[@Hellfalcon666]

Thank you for doing this request :D

[@rickman1945]

What often gets neglected is what made the original so great is it was one of the first games to have multiplayer in what was essentially an open world RPG on console. The idea of getting in a car with your friends, scavenging for gas and supplies with your buddies was so cool! Now… it was plagued with performance issues and certainly wasn’t perfect. But it was good enough for it’s time to get people to buy into it.

[@Nick930]

Dead Island was basically just borderlands with zombies. Borderlands helped popularized the looter shooter console coop genre in that time

[@Volinkrien]

I watched a brief playthrough of the game to decide if I was gonna buy or not. When I saw how detailed the gore system was and how fun the combat looked it was enough to convince me and loved it. Already on my 2nd playthrough.

[@mitchelllittle7804]

I love the little barrel just flying in and out of screen like "hello there" 😂

[@elizabethandeldinkamberovi1929]

both games have insane graphics...

[@ajaxtv8172]

fr i was about to say that

[@coldfries8976]

Great comparison! I remember back in the day when the original Dead Island first released - it was THE new big thing in gaming, i was a teen an did my best to get this game lol. Even shared and played it together with my friends. I'm super excited for Dead Island 2 whenever i pick it up - probably waiting a year for some post-launch content and DLCs, maybe even a juicy same!

[@jericparadeza]

I was waiting for this!

[@vaughngina]

I’m excited to see new zones they add in the future updates for dead island 2

[@wyattwilliams9087]

Theres something about the look of the original game ill always love more. I actually really like that sort of "hazey" look it has. It just triggers something in my heart that makes a warm feeling

[@Dusti_buns]

Love ya nick for taking your time to make this video even when you won't make any revenue ❤️

[@blackdoc6320]

I think the most impressive thing for me now that dead island 2 has come out is how good dead island 1 still looks. Don't get me wrong, it shows it's age, but it's definitely aged better than a lot of other games from the time.

[@mr.2cents.846]

Yeah like e Dead Space aged pretty decently.

[@pippymagoo2718]

That's cause hes showing the hd version

[@kennymccormick8295]

its age* Get educated.

[@TheFirstAtom]

Been waiting for this!!!

[@Ash-me]

Dead island is beautiful and detailed. Just wish there was more unique weapons and more to do after.

[@KillerTacos54]

Excellent comparison

[@NickGeo25]

Love your videos!

[@Mudvayne1080]

Nick your direct comparison videos are great but I'm dieing for a new documentary from you. Your documentaries are the best out there.

[@Nick930]

Got a few docs in the pipeline. Last of Us doc is coming soon :)

[@kennymccormick8295]

dying* Get educated.

[@DivjotSingh]

Thanks!

[@mosescuh3644]

You are one of the best KZbinrs currently

[@ALL_that_ENDS]

Damn you yt, new Nick930 and I wasn't immediately notified!? I will get to the bottom of this, after I watch this video.

[@L0RDSH0CK3W4V3GamingAdvice]

Excellent Review.. I'm having a blast just like the first game. The graphics and zombie mechanics are awesome. My only querk with D2 is the skill tree . It could had been a little bit more simplified, but all in all it's a great game for the times .

[@saucyhec1076]

Thanks for your dedication, love your vids

[@octobursveryown3800]

Thank you for the hard work you do @Nick930 love your channel and never missed anything you upload

[@nicholasgrossman3194]

Does anyone else feel like limbs dont crush as easily on DI 2? I have only gotten about two legs to fall off, or two arms. I remember the first game, attacking the Zombies arms and having them be weaker.

[@IllyasArt]

Bought this game on a whim, didn't expect it to be so damn good! I think that I have been poisoned by recent AAA western game releases being buggy, or unfinished. Not once in my 40 hour playthrough did I ever think that Dead Island 2 was unfinished. Only encountered two bugs(On PS5), both of which were super funny. Man... the west really, really needs more games like this coming out. It was the first game on PS5 besides Demons souls, that I truly felt was worth the $70 asking price.

[@jake9854]

wait but girls dont play dead island!

[@IllyasArt]

@@jake9854 I play all types of games. Frankly, the only genre I don’t like, is racing games.

[@JDG-vn4ti]

@@jake9854wtf said that 😂

[@furyrust]

The heavy attack charge in DI2 is the analog fighting refinement from the first one imo.

[@freedykruzo00]

I love the first game, played it a lot as a kid, and then replayed it 3 years ago more or less, and it was still super fun, though I will say that this game is much more fun than the first game. My only problem tho with the 2nd game is the lack of side missions, since the first game had a bunch of them, and the lack of very big areas, with reflections not appearing when looking in the mirror and whatnot, but other than that, the game is very good.

[@JoeDejacque]

Thanks for this chief

[@vangezy6456]

Damn even this game was built in an unreal engine 4 instead of 5, the graphics looks incredible to me.

[@JudeTheYoutubePoopersubscribe]

that's what a developer can do when they don't force in a pointless time of day system

[@vangezy6456]

@@JudeTheKZbinPoopersubscribe straight up facts!!

[@yobro6053]

Remember arkham Knight ue3

[@vangezy6456]

@@yobro6053 I don't know dat game yet, maybe I'll check it out.

[@RageQuittersUKOfficial]

Great comparison. I need to pick this up once I've completed my outstanding pile of shame library. :)

[@Generalclaptrap]

Awesome comparison i got both but they are both the best for me

[@Poberaganser]

I really enjoyed Dead Island talent tree. Like in Classic WoW, you slowly build your character. I don't like new skill system, but I like the physics. I'd say, first Dead Island with modern physics and graphic would be a perfect combo.

[@thedude8526]

I agree. I didn't hate the card system, but the skill tree just felt easier and more satisfying.

[@beardedsaint3250]

Personal issues with DI2: - World feels silent = add more ambience - Weapons get a little damaged every time after fast travel - Districts are way too small imo. Imagine calling the metro and sewers a “district” (Pray they actually add a full sized map this time with the DLC but hella doubt) - Could have more zombies roaming - Cutscene animations in mp only work for the person activating a quest

[@Goon_Lagoon69420]

Yuh, but some sacrifices gotta be made when the gore system is very detailed

[@BrockLeonard]

Great video!!

[@robgarcia1181]

Alot of people are complaining. But how often do you get a game this polished right out the gate? Never, even major titles come out bugged and messy. This game by far plays better than my other newer games. True fans waited a decade and we got a real banger. Hate if you want that's your opinion. I'll keep playing happily.

[@RossCuth]

Bruh, that "Bye bye!" at 25:09 lmao

[@finnmccool5944]

Gorgeous game the lack of reflections is odd though

[@dilbertpickle1659]

The original version of Dead Island (including the Xbox 360 version) also had screen space reflections. The original version of Dead Island also had the player cast their own shadows

[@seanc77339]

Game is amazing. Finished it a month ago. Had a blast. Never got bored.

[@spencercain3995]

I still prefer the 1. I can feel the apocalypse atmosphere. scariest places are the jungle, prison and sewers is the most scariest.

[@raulquiroz7492]

True. The first game had an eerie feel to it that the second game doesn't have. I think its the fact that you're on an actual isolated island, while in the second game you're in a large city surrounded by other survivors.

[@SonicAdventureEnjoyer]

​@@raulquiroz7492That and Dead island 1 actually tried being scary where as 2 is mostly just cringey gen z humor slapsticks that aren't even that funny

[@_The_Black_Cerberus_]

I just finished dead island 2 and man the wait was worth it dambusters where an excellent choice to finish this game im hoping dead island will get lots of new areas to explore through DLC

[@leanansidhe3954]

I enjoyed both, just got my platinum for di2 the other day :). Looking forward to the dlc's.

[@8Paul7]

Dambuster is great, Homefron Revolution was awesome once patched on PC.

[@liamwynne566]

You're probably the 4th person I've seen with that opinion

[@bartfratze9529]

now i want a remake from the first game :D same quality from di2

[@SAFIS448]

Same

[@sammyflinders]

Should do Dying Light 2 vs Dead Island 2. ;-)

[@sammyflinders]

@Bats Hit Crazy he's already done that comparison when DL2 launched.

[@ecurb6092]

How have you not reached 1 mil subs. The quality of these videos are amazing

[@andremonteiro1506]

The atmosphere of Dead Island original is absent in this. One of the big reason the original team of DI split is that half wanted to make goofy slap stick zombie games and the others wanted a more grounded and dramatic experience. So they went ahead and made Dying Light. The City area is pretty much a prototype for Dying light which was going to be Dead Island 2.

[@Drefromthebay84]

The first Dead Island kicks the crap out of Dead Island 2 in the open world RPG department,no contest.

[@albertocuevas3009]

Hope they make a difficulty setting for this game

[@kooaid9]

I was really dissapointed with how each area is separated. I was expecting an open world game, even though most of the areas are pretty big, it just isn’t the same as having a big open world like the original games but I will say the areas are very unique to the last overall having a blast with this game.

[@jupitersnoot4915]

But DI and DIR were not open world either. They also had loading screens between areas.

[@A.A.L.V.L]

​@@jupitersnoot4915They didn't have just one open world, they had several. Tourist centers, cities, jungles, etc. All of those settings were huge, and they are extensive enough to claim that DI 1 and Riptide were games with multiple open worlds.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Your videos are always good but I really enjoyed this one because of how much I love the original game. I never had a problem with the issues that people complained about yet. Getting older now I am much choosier with new games and will probably get this when on sale. Looks decent but I love the character of the original.

[@themuffinprincesa21]

It is 100% worth it. Honestly a contender for best rpg of the year right now. It's funny, feels great to play, single player & co-op feel fantastic, characters are written well for the comedic tone they are going for. Really about the only complaint throughout finishing all 6 playthroughs was just some weapons should have a more expensive move list for animations.

[@crazylikeafox7290]

As nice as Dead Island 2 is, I still prefer the true sandbox style of Dead Island 1 and Riptide - almost everywhere is easy to access without loading screens. And I still play the older games to this day, more so because of the modding community and the (PS3) out of map fun. Brilliant games.

[@thedude8526]

1 definitely has a more tense environment than the 2nd which I appreciate a lot. I do miss the wider open areas and driving around like and idiot with friends. I'll still replay 1 from time to time with friends.

[@EasternEGG39]

I wish they implemented driving

[@Snake_eyes0]

Same

[@rshores84]

How would I reach out to see if a PGA comparison could be in the works, possibly, between 2k23 and EA’s PGA Tour?

[@MemerTheDreamer-nv9zb]

Dead island 1 is about gritty, scary, and a weird vibe, dead island 2 is all about gore and dark humour.

[@thelargenugget3458]

One thing I noticed is that blood doesn’t spread in water in the new one

[@terraaran8747]

The new elemental effects on zombies is more annoying that anything. That is why I use the Impactor mod for all my weapons because Weakened also pairs well with it which can be easily combined with Warcry and the card that increases your damage with zombies affected by negative effects.

[@inmatejason]

i agree and do the same on most weapons, but the green acid looks amazing melting off the zombies skin and turning them to nothing but bones.

[@TheGSTAZ]

The first game had so nice graphics wow I don't remember it so good :') Dead island 2 looks AMAZING

[@jordan-mn6yy]

Thats because hes playing it in 4k

[@I_am_wanted_in_54_states]

I was waiting for this 🤤

[@eduardosanchezbarrios5810]

It will be interesting compare the visuals of the definitive edition agains Dead Island 2

[@MrWestNileVirus]

Wait wait wait wait wait. Am I crazy, or am I just now realizing that the exploders were wailing ‘Helllllp……meeeee?!’

[@Cr4ZzZy]

Dead island 2 gameplay is so fun. I hope they add more content and updates.

[@spike5499]

How about they finish everything at launch instead

[@Aechkay]

​@@spike5499 what was unfinished?

[@spike5499]

@@Aechkay bruh... the story doesn't even have an ending 💀 it just stops randomly halfway through

[@Aechkay]

@@spike5499 I haven't played the game so I wouldn't have known Like it just cuts off? Not like a cliffhanger? You don't even finish whatever mission you have?

[@spike5499]

@@Aechkay me neither 😂 but if you look online that's a common criticism, it's not an intended cliffhanger, you do beat the last mission but it's just some random mission and then the game just ends

[@divineglitch9550]

for me the selling point of dead island is that it was an island.

[@th0rn42]

Well this game is technically an island too cuz an earthquake separated it from the land mass

[@BockworschtSoldier]

I started Dead Island Definitive Edition. I get the Dead Island 2 when it hits steam.

[@mustafanew2412]

We need a comparison between Dead Island 2 vs Dying Light 2

[@mr.2cents.846]

That's a great idea. Playing Dead Island 2 constantly reminds me how I'm spoiled by Dying Light 2. Am missing the long jump, climbing up houses. Heck, in Dead Island 2 I can not even climb on a fricken bus.

[@Cyrex_XIII]

Some reflections were terrible such as the mirror found in the goat pen near the bed. Also not reflecting the player model is crazy to not have in 2023

[@Cyrex_XIII]

Having block and dodge be separate is dated

[@mydogranawayandgotraped2951]

one of the better updates id say was the *jiggle physics* on a certain zombie usually in a one piece swimming outfit.

[@brunixot1]

The "help me" zombie disturbs me so much

[@goldengrain9851]

I love the added specials on dead island 2 weapons, dead island 1 weapons had more variety to me.

[@jhoyciv]

I like the dead island environment, jungles and beach on that island looking good, but I prefer di2 because of combat and gameplay mechanics, and gore system of course

[@snoohh2513]

Now we definitely need a comparison between its spiritual successor dying light now that the long awaited sequel is here

[@whereta3097]

Does anyone know the background song playing?

[@manuelcaycedo561]

you sound like ernie from sesame seed street! awesome video MR. compare directly !!

[@paranoyd70]

Another difference is that the original occasionally had human groups of enemies, whereas the sequel only features zombies (no human enemies). Some like this and some don't. I personally don't care. I don't mind some human enemies, but there is a thing as too much human enemies in a zombie game (cough, Dying Light 2).

[@Don-Keedik]

Dead island at the time was much more engaging than what dead island 2 is now, the only thing 2 has going for it is the gore mechanic

[@mastermind4499]

The only thing that bothers me in DI2 is it's set of characters, but I'm still willing to get this game when I get the opportunity

[@mr.2cents.846]

I'm playing this game since day 1. And am only 55% in the progression. I take my time with good games. Haven't even came to the St Monica peer yet.

[@utsavbasu1048]

How long is the game

[@mellochello921]

Which do you think is better nick dead island 2 or dying light 2?

[@Nick930]

Dead island 2 for sure. Dying light 2 wasnt as memorable as the original dying light.

[@matthewburno]

As far as island not being island to its title I see it as zombies in paradise or hell in paradise! Etc they are probably going to make a Florida game soon!

[@Billy_the-cat]

They really need to fix the physics in dead Island 2. It does not feel heavy, wich is dissapointing. I did not expect a masterpiece but in terms of combat I expected more

[@jordan-mn6yy]

And the thug doesnt even sound big like the og