10 Video Games You Gave Up On (That Are Actually Great)
2. Dead Island 2
2011's Dead Island was a decent enough mindless, multiplayer zombie killing romp. It showed promise at least, and so it was given spin-offs and a sequel was greenlit the following year.
Dead Island 2's existence became so much of a meme that others, like Goat Simulator 3, began parodying the long wait for it. Not only did development stretch across eleven years, it also spent time in the hands of three different teams. Yager Studio were dropped in 2015, Sumo Digital had the product taken out of their hands in 2019 and finally the game released as developed by Dambuster Studios.
That is the development equivalent of a project being raked over hot coals and glass. There was almost no way Dead Island 2 was going to be good. And yet...
Both critical and consumer response to the sequel was one of pleasant surprise, with the game scoring around the 70% mark. Players complimented the game's stylish aesthetic, memorable locations and high quality gore. The level of polish is surprising considering the majority of long-delayed titles tend to suffer in this regard.
Most players who assumed that Dead Island 2, if it ever came, was going to be a disaster were well within their rights but it wound up being surprisingly enjoyable.