Dead Island: Definitive Collection Reviews

Dead Island: Definitive Collection is ranked in the 28th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Jun 3, 2016

It still has technical problems with its bugs and glitches, but the dollars to value offering with what the Dead Island Definitive Collection offers is second to none. This is a one-stop shop for all things zombie that given its shortcomings, will surely entertain for many hours, especially with friends in online co-op – where the game truly shines.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
May 31, 2016

"The collection does not look at all out of place on the Xbox One/PlayStation 4 and gives players the chance to return to Hanoi once more for some good old fashioned blood-splattered fun. The setting is perfect, the action – fast and frantic but the most important cog in the Dead Island engine is its ability to allow players to team up with friends and other players to take on the infection, that feature remains and that alone would be enough for me to part with my hard earned cash".

Read full review

5 / 10
Jun 5, 2016

Dead Island barely faded away from it’s initial reveal in 2011 with good marketing and a clear-cut emphasis on zombie killing, but all Definitive Edition does is stall the franchise from becoming infected into obscurity. It’s a game that’s partly pleasant with a companion, but not attentively tenacious alone, leading to a strong disconnect if you’re buddies are away. An added game Retro Revenge could have helped matters, but it’s just as half-baked and soulless as what’s come before it.

Read full review

7.8 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2016

For those that played through Dead Island and its standalone expansion before, it really comes down to how they felt about it. If you get the itch to go back to Banoi and don’t mind getting “who do you voodoo” stuck in your head again, then check it out. Otherwise, there isn’t much there (other than the 2D game) that you haven’t already seen and you can safely skip it.

Read full review

70%
Jun 29, 2016

Dead Island Definitive Collection offers a lot of content for relatively little money. The predecessor of Dying Light is entertaining even today, so if you haven't had the honor yet, feel free to give the undead a chance.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Jun 21, 2016

Both games in the collection look better than you might expect with its new gen makeover and they come bundled with all previously released DLC. However, even at a reasonable price, will it warrant a purchase?

Read full review

56%
Jun 2, 2016

The Game hasn’t aged well at all. Overall a very disappointing remaster not recommended to anyone

Read full review

6.5 / 10.0
Jun 1, 2016

So, once again, what Techland offers is Dead Island, Dead Island Riptide, and Retro Revenge in one package for 40 bucks. That still a pretty good offer. But just so you know, for 20 dollars more you can get Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition, which is just a better game.

Read full review

Ken Barnes
Top Critic
5 / 10
Jun 1, 2016

Dead Island: Definitive Collection is great value if you're a fan of the games, given that it's the only way you can play them on Xbox One. Players that fit that description shouldn't be expecting any major gameplay changes though since they're very thin on the ground, outside of an unlockable "one punch" mode which was available on PC as a mod for the first game. Even at a budget price, players new to the franchise can safely avoid the set as there's much better gameplay to be found elsewhere, such as in the likes of the Metro: Last Light or even Techland's own Dying Light, both of which outshine Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide in almost every area.

Read full review

Gamers FTW
George Foster
Top Critic
Unscored
Jun 6, 2016

Has it toppled Dying Light for the best first person zombie slaying game? Not really; but it has charm that is entirely its own.

Read full review

Jun 22, 2016

Deep Silver was happy to jump on the definitive edition bandwagon, but there are games far more deserving for this treatment. Real strides have been made in the video department. Otherwise, there’s not much else from the 'Dead Island: Definitive Collection' to recommend here - two ho-hum games that are aging quickly despite their youth, and a new retro title that adds very little to the equation.

Read full review

92%
Sep 5, 2016

I’ve spent dozens of hours playing both games for my Dead Island Definitive Collection review, and it certainly has been a fun time! There’s still plenty for me to do in each game s they’re huge releases, and unlocking both Platinum trophies is certainly something currently on my to-do list. I highly recommend that you purchase this collection as it offers great value for a very low cost.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jun 11, 2016

Definitely one of the strongest remasters available on the current gen consoles, with enough improvements to more than compete with most new games. In a surprise turn, it also manages to better its original release - it’s been a long time since the title “Definitive Edition” was this well earnt.

Read full review

6 / 10.0
Jun 4, 2016

It may be a pretty mindless package overall, but it’s not completely without brains.

Read full review

6.5 / 10.0
Jun 2, 2016

Dead Island: Definitive Collection is a symbol of the franchise’s great ideas, hampered by what is merely an okay execution.

Read full review

5.2 / 10.0
May 31, 2016

Dead Island Definitive Collection is a case of projection clashing against reality, almost a meta-level statement on Dead Island's inability to step up and perform on key. Unfortunately the only rendition that sticks is one of deteriorating enthusiasm. 2011 was charitable to Dead Island. 2016 almost holds it in contempt.

Read full review

70%
Jun 1, 2016

Dead Island Definitive Collection is one of the better value remastered bundles currently available, serving up one genuinely good game, one relatively crap sequel, and a reasonably enjoyable bonus game in Retro Revenge. For the cash, you could certainly do a lot worse, and few other games do zombie slaughter quite so well.

Read full review

May 31, 2016

Dead Island faced some stiff criticism upon its original release back in 2011 but it's hard to tell if this was more a case of deflated expectations after that amazing trailer than genuine umbrence with the zombie-splatting action. Viewed in 2016, the game is an engaging if rather clunky action RPG which has benefitted greatly from some next-gen TLC. While the objectives become repetitive over time and there are still a few bugs that need squashing, the visceral combat and sheer variety of weapons on offer maintain your interest for the 30 or so hours you spend on the blood-drenched fictional island of Banoi.

Read full review

May 31, 2016

Some remasters can feel a bit mailed in when it comes to how much they’ve actually been improved, but Dead Island: Definitive Edition is not one of them. Who knows what is going to happen to Dead Island 2 at this stage, but one thing that is true is Deep Silver has reignited the franchise with Dead Island: Definitive Edition.

Read full review

May 31, 2016

Dead Island: Definitive Collection presents a lot of fun, albeit dated and repetitive gameplay for an affordable price. As a remaster, it's not perfect, but that's almost part of these games' charm.

Read full review