A one hit wonder rapper, Chinese cop/spy, disgraced quaterback, Australian bodyguard, and Navy cook walk into bar. That's not the setup for a joke, it's the group of survivors trying to survive the zombie infested island of Palanai (sounds like a type of panini).
If the Navy cook doesn't jog your memory, it's because that's the new character, John Morgan, master of hand-to-hand combat, and duck flambe.
While a cook may not sound like the best kind of character to feature in the FPS melee smash-fest that is Dead Island (PO'ed may be the exception there), who am I to brane on about unorthodox characters in a game featuring the return of the dead?
The group of survivors encounter John after their helicoptor (the one they're all in at the ending of the last game) is forced to land on a navy ship to escape some inclimate weather. Of course, said vessel is loaded with zombies. John and company find their way off the ship, eventually making their way onto the island of Palanai. But like Banoi, Palanai is overrun with hungry zombies.
As the name indicates, most of the environment is heavily flooded. Joining the undead as a new threat will be the weather of the environment itself. Torrential ran can limit player vision, and many areas can only be navigated by boat. The weather will also lead to environmental changes as well, so while one are was once nice and dry, a torrential downpour could flood the area completely later on.
A press release from publisher Deep Silver described the new island, as well as Palanai's featured town of Henderson, all set for players to explore. According to the release, "Henderson is situated on the island of Palanai in the once beautiful Banoi archipelago. Palanai caters to ultra-wealthy yacht owners and eco-tourists looking to stay nearby to the island's untouched jungle. Palanai's center is the luxurious town of Henderson that has grown into a Mediterranean-looking port town."
In addition to the new playable character and environments, Riptide also promises new mutated zombie types will be introduced, and I wouldn't be surprised if some new weapons and modifications were included as well. Also, for those who played the first Dead Island, you'll be able to keep your original character and use it again in Riptide.
Pre-orders are also available for Riptide as well. Those who pre-order from GameStop, Amazon, and Best Buy receive a shiney steelbook game case, with additional incentives to be announced later.
Dead Island: Riptide is planned to release in 2013 for Windows PC, PS3, and XBox 360.
