According to Dambuster Studios, Dead Island 2’s new skill deck is “even better” than a skill tree

Dambuster Studios considers the game’s new skill deck to be one of the “most exciting” features of the highly anticipated Dead Island 2 sequel.

In conversation with game informant (Thanks, NME), Creative Director James Worrall, and Lead Narrative Designer Khan teased that the skill deck was “even better” than a skill tree that allows players to change loadouts “on the fly.”

“There’s a skill deck… which is even better,” Khan said when asked if the sequel would feature an expandable skill tree.

“The art is amazing and fun to look at and all of that, but just fun to play with. Change your skills in the air – you can take off, change one skill and land with another loadout and it’s just amazing.”

“And you can take some real risks with your loadout, too,” added creative director James Worrall. “It really pays off… and sometimes it does [it] goes terribly wrong.”

The duo also spoke a bit about the game’s setting, which begins a full ten years after the events of the first game in Los Angeles. Due to “the city’s amazing eccentricity and confidence,” the couple teased that the city of LA will almost be a character itself.

Eight years after its initial reveal and several delays later, Dead Island 2 is finally upon us. Brought to the finish line by Dambuster Studios, Dead Island 2 is finally coming to PS4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on April 28th, 2023.