There’s something undeniably fascinating about games that draw inspiration from our own reality. Take Dead Island 2, for instance, which invites you on a start-to-finish adventure set in the heart of Los Angeles. Here, you’ll face down hordes of zombies prowling the sunny Californian streets. It’s a wild, weird, and wonderfully over-the-top journey. If you’re the sort who loves recognising real-world locations in your gaming adventures, then this “Dead Island 2’s Real Life Locations” guide is right up your alley.
Credit where credit’s due – Deep Silver has done a smashing job of injecting real-world locations into the zany universe of Dead Island 2. Once we delve into the examples, you’ll be bowled over by the sheer dedication they’ve put into this. But before we get to that, let’s give a nod to the YouTube video that’s expertly put together these comparisons. The ElAnalistaDeBits channel has done a fantastic job of comparing in-game locations to their real-world counterparts.
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Dead Island 2: All Real-Life Locations
Brace yourselves, because the Los Angeles you’ll encounter in Dead Island 2 is nothing short of nightmarish. It’s so gnarly, in fact, that one of the game’s purchasable editions is aptly named the ‘Hell-A Edition‘. The city is full of zombies, wrecked cars, bloody remnants and clear signs of an all-out invasion. As one of six playable characters, your mission is to navigate and survive this chaos.
Now, if you’re curious about real-life locations that inspired the game’s environment, MapGenie has crafted some fantastic maps that are worth checking out. They’ve highlighted some of LA’s most iconic places that have made their way into Dead Island 2, including:
- Santa Monica Pier
- Bel-Air
- Halperin Hotel (Which is The Beverly Hills Hotel in reality)
- Ocean Avenue
- Venice Beach
- Beverly Hills
- The Metro
- Brentwood Sewers
- Monarch Studios
- Hollywood Boulevard
These locations have been replicated with an uncanny level of detail in the game, albeit with a fair share of zombie-inflicted destruction – crumbled roads, collapsed walls, shattered windows, and so on. For instance, the moment you step into Bel-Air, you can’t help but notice the opulence, the million-dollar mansions – it’s as if you’ve stepped into the celeb-studded neighbourhood in the flesh.
Dead Island 2 – Santa Monica Pier
Among Los Angeles’ numerous iconic locales, Santa Monica Pier arguably reigns supreme, and it is recreated with spectacular detail in Dead Island 2. Granted, it’s a touch quieter than its real-life counterpart, and its visitors have an insatiable hunger of a different kind.
Not only is the Pier one of the most meticulously designed locations in the game, it also serves as a frequent backdrop for advancing the main storyline. Numerous journals await your discovery, and there are tons of blueprints for new items. Make a point of exploring each shop – you never know what you might find.
Dead Island 2 – Halperin Hotel
Halperin Hotel covers one of the largest areas in Dead Island 2. Its real-life counterpart is The Beverly Hills Hotel, and the resemblance is striking. The meticulous attention to detail evident in the hotel’s entrance, right down to the red carpet, is nothing short of impressive.
Situated just north of Bel-Air, you’ll find yourself passing through this location quite often. And it’s worth exploring, as it is teeming with weapons, supplies, and zombies. The interior of the hotel is visually stunning, adding an extra layer of allure to your exploration. If you happen to book a room at The Beverly Hills Hotel after playing Dead Island 2, you’ll probably be able to navigate your way to your room blindfolded, such is the accuracy of its in-game representation.
Dead Island 2 – Venice Beach
Venice Beach in Dead Island 2 is an exciting hub of activity, much like its real-life version. Plenty of non-playable characters (NPCs) are available for to talk, and assisting them often yields valuable rewards. You’ll find numerous items both along the beachfront shops and deeper inland.
The game’s rendition of Venice Beach is strikingly faithful to the real location. If you’re familiar with Los Angeles or have lived there, exploring this area will be particularly enjoyable. The skateboarders shortage may seem a bit unusual, but it’s likely due to the all-consuming zombie invasion.
The examples provided sufficiently illustrate the success of Dead Island 2 in accurately rendering real-life locations. To view all comparisons, you can watch the video linked below. However, the best way to truly appreciate the game’s immersive realism is to purchase and play it yourself. When you discover the streamer house in Beverly Hills, you will feel inspired to become a Twitch streamer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Does Dead Island 2 Take Place?
Transitioning from the first game’s setting, Dead Island 2 immerses players entirely in a representation of the “Real world”. Despite the fictitious narrative of a zombie invasion wreaking havoc, players can explore iconic areas throughout Los Angeles. They have the opportunity to develop their characters and immerse themselves in the madcap world of the game. By comparison to the first Dead Island, which was set on the relatively small Banoi Island, the expansive Los Angeles – cheekily referred to as “Hell-A” in the game – provides a far more entertaining and diverse location for such an adventurous game.
Did Techland Develop Dead Island 2?
Techland, the original creators of the Dead Island series, didn’t make Dead Island 2. After a few issues during the game’s development, they left the project. Instead, Dambuster Studios developed the game. They’re a talented team who’ve made games like Homefront: The Revolution and Chorus. So, even though the game’s creators changed, the zombie action kept going.
Is Dead Island 2 Online?
For those keen on a bit of friendship in the face of a zombie apocalypse, Dead Island 2 offers co-op mode. You can team up with a couple of mates and explore the undead-infested Los Angeles together. However, remember that the game lacks cross-play, meaning players on different platforms can’t join forces. But don’t worry, cross-gen support is provided, enabling PS4/PS5 and Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One players to join each others in the fight for survival. And if you’re more of a lone wolf, the online mode is entirely optional.
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