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This year's sequel to the cult zombie slaughtering adventure Dead Island, Dead Island 2, has received its first DLC, Haus, which expands the main game's story and brings some new mechanics and new weapons, or a weapon if we want to be perfectly honest.
Starting November 2nd, the DLC "Haus" is accessible to all Ultimate Edition owners and Season Pass holders of the game. However, for those seeking to purchase it individually, this option is exclusively available on the Epic Games Store, priced at $12.99. On all other platforms, acquiring the DLC requires buying the Season Pass, which carries a relatively higher price tag of $29.99.
In this article, our goal is to explore what the new DLC for Dead Island 2 has in store for players and determine whether it justifies the additional cost. So, without further ado, let's dive right in.
What Dead Island 2: Haus DLC brings us
Additional Storyline
The DLC commences with your slayer receiving an invitation to visit an expensive villa located in Malibu. Upon his arrival, a peculiar and technologically advanced group of individuals welcomes him, their purpose being the preservation of the human race.
The decision of whether to join their cause or not ultimately rests with our hero. While Deep Silver, the game's publisher, officially describes the DLC in this manner, the reality is that your influence on the storyline is minimal, and the conclusion is essentially preordained if you follow the narrative as intended.
Setting aside these considerations, the DLC's storyline is undeniably well-crafted, offering intriguing connections to the main narrative and unfolding in a highly engaging manner, holding your attention right up to the end.
Additional Weapon
Indeed, the main point isn't only the variety of weapons, as the DLC introduces just one additional weapon, the crossbow, adding to the already familiar arsenal from the main game. What makes the crossbow stand out is its integral role in the new game mechanics and features introduced in the DLC.
Apart from the upcoming discussion of fresh mechanics, the crossbow is a highly enjoyable weapon equipped with a built-in scope, allowing you to efficiently dispatch zombies from a distance in an entertaining manner.
New Mechanics
In Dead Island 2: Haus, two fresh mechanics come into play. The first one is known as "Dark Brain Matter," which entails locating exposed brains in order to progress through specific sections of the game and subsequently targeting them with your crossbow. The second mechanic involves passageways that can only be breached while in rage mode. Additionally, there are designated areas where your rage metre continually replenishes itself due to frequent usage.
Beyond these new mechanics, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged, following the familiar pattern of relentlessly battling hordes of zombies with a variety of weapons to achieve your objectives.
Visual improvements
Regrettably, there are no noticeable graphical enhancements; however, it's worth noting that Dead Island 2 already boasts impressive graphics. In terms of level design, there have been some changes, particularly since the gameplay predominantly unfolds in closed environments. Certain levels feature pits where you can shove zombies, delivering a satisfying experience, though you should also be cautious, as you can fall into these pits yourself.
How long is Haus
The DLC contains three fresh levels along with a villa functioning as a central hub. These levels are notably lengthy, featuring captivating puzzles, which means that if you explore them thoroughly, you can expect to invest approximately five hours of gameplay. This duration is quite substantial for a DLC.
Furthermore, there is a collection of new trophies/achievements that you will be able to unlock, solidifying the DLC's value in terms of its duration. In this regard, "Haus" unquestionably provides a worthwhile investment.
Is it worth it?
To sum it up, the cost of $12.99 on the Epic Games Store is unquestionably justified for game owners. In the case of consoles, the current price of the Season Pass might not warrant the investment. However, the future developments of Dead Island 2 remain uncertain, making it premature to pass judgement. In essence, "Haus" stands as a robust DLC for the already outstanding Dead Island 2.
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