Dead Island: Riptide - Definitive Edition

The main pros of the game

• Co-op Gameplay: Many users enjoyed playing the game with friends, highlighting the fun and chaotic experiences that arise in multiplayer sessions.
• Combat Mechanics: The melee combat is noted as being well-designed, with a satisfying feel when smashing and hacking zombies.
• Skill Progression: Some players appreciated the improved skill progression related to weapon usage, allowing for a more personalized combat experience.
• Nostalgia Factor: For players who enjoyed the original Dead Island, Riptide provides a familiar yet slightly updated experience that evokes fond memories.
• New Features: Introduction of new weapons, mini-bosses, and character personalities were seen as positive additions.

The main cons of the game

• Bugs and Technical Issues: A significant number of reviews mention constant bugs, including items falling through the floor, soft locks, and poor AI behavior.
• Poor Plot and Writing: The story is criticized for being terrible, poorly written, and lacking depth, with many users finding it unengaging.
• Traversal Issues: Complaints about the movement mechanics, including bad traversal and frustrating use of boats, detracted from the overall experience.
• Repetitive Gameplay: Several players noted that the game can feel tedious and repetitive, lacking variety in quests and objectives.
• Animation and Combat Issues: Users reported clunky animations, combat feeling "bleh," and instances of animation lock leading to cheap deaths.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• In-Game FOV Option: Players expressed frustration over the lack of an in-game field of view (FOV) option, requiring manual file adjustments.
• Improved Graphics: While there were mentions of improved visuals, many felt the graphics were still dated and in some cases worse than the original game.
• Better AI: The human and enemy AI were described as lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
• Depth in Story and Quests: Users desired a more engaging narrative and less reliance on fetch quests, feeling that the plot did not add value to the gameplay.
• Fast Travel Points: Some players found the placement of fast travel points inconvenient, making navigation cumbersome.

Summary

• Overall, while Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition has its share of enjoyable elements, particularly in co-op play and combat mechanics, it is marred by numerous technical issues, a lackluster story, and repetitive gameplay that may deter new players.

Summary generated on: October 9, 2025