Dead Island Multiplayer Preview!

With a trailer quite unlike anything else ever seen in the gaming world, Dead Island has many eyes drawn to it. Should it be worried?

After having a bash on the multiplayer, we'd have to say "Not really, no." Which is good!

We were on-site to check out the four player co-op mode, and check it out we did. Out of the four characters, one will be what's called 'the tank' in the form of Sam B, a comedy gangster rapper, who the zombies seem drawn to, and the rest (Xian Mei, Logan and Purna) will act as the damage dealers. Our chap was perfect for the role of Sam, as he fancies himself as a bit of a gangster anyway.

Things start off relatively peaceful, in a church surrounded by sobbing people. Well, peaceful for the current situation anyway. All of these sobbing people provide you with quests, the one which we chose was to venture into the town and put up posters alerting any survivors to the fact we had a safe haven for them... as long as they don't touch any of my stuff while they're there, that's fine.

Also in the church you will be able to purchase, upgrade and repair weapons. Again, this is no ordinary church.

After much messing around, which included standing on the altar in front of some of the more hysterical of the survivors pulling Hulk Hogan poses, we group up at the door and venture down into the madness... and madness it is. There are a variety of different enemies on offer, from exploding ones to extremely tough ones whose limbs need to be hacked off in order for you to take them down. Regardless of their type, they're all intent on eating your brains. Combat is satisfyingly tough, with every blow from a blunt object being felt by all parties involved. The way-point to your nearest goal is mapped out on your GPS, which updates with the best route should you change course. Another breath of fresh air? As Dead Island is set on a fictional island off the coast of Papua New Guinea, everything is BRIGHT and COLOURFUL (during the day at least!) as opposed to the usual brown, grey and dark usually seen in games of this ilk.

Essentially, Dead Island is shaping up to be one monster of a survival horror game. Health, ammo and weapons are sparse and you will need to work as a team in order to survive. It may very well be a zombie game, but it's a zombie game with elements of Left 4 Dead, Dead Rising and Condemned, 3 of the best zombie/survival horror games ever released. Should you be excited? We are... and nothing ever excites us. Ever!

Dead Island is in development for the PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 and will be released September 9th 2011