Highlights
Dead Island 2's Haus DLC will introduce major new storylines, central characters, and a new group of humans, potentially changing the game's combat mechanics.
The inclusion of a human enemy faction in the DLC could introduce narrative diversity, require long-range combat, and enhance the immersive atmosphere of the post-apocalyptic world of Dead Island 2. With the anticipated presence of a "techno-death cult" serving as a hostile force rather than an ally, the Haus DLC is expected to fill the void of human adversaries that the game has been missing.
In a few months' time, Dead Island 2 is expected to have a significant year in 2023 with the release of the first of two major story expansions. The initial DLC, known as the Haus expansion, already has a wealth of details available regarding what players can expect. One particularly impactful addition is the enemy faction, which has the potential to greatly enhance the overall gaming experience. As a result, dedicated fans of Dead Island 2 will be generously rewarded with major new storylines, significant central characters, and a fresh group of humans. With the potential to revolutionize the game's combat mechanics, the Haus expansion may be a much-needed game-changer for Dead Island 2's post-launch journey.
The Narrative and Gameplay Benefits of Dead Island 2's Haus Cult
The Haus DLC for Dead Island 2 is set to be an action-packed addition, surpassing the game's already explosive and humorous take on a zombie-infested California. The DLC will introduce a billionaire zombie survivalist and a techno-death cult, bringing lively and memorable characters to this major expansion. Additionally, there may be some modifications to the core mechanics of the game. Notably, Dead Island 2 has chosen to exclude human enemies from its storyline, focusing instead on a variety of dangerous infected adversaries in the main game. While the billionaire prepper could potentially play a supportive role in the Haus DLC's narrative, the techno-death cult is expected to be an antagonistic force.
This shake-up in the formula of Dead Island 2 brings back the "Punk" human enemies from the original game. The abundance of human enemies in zombie games has been a controversial aspect, but Dead Island 2 might have found a solution by reserving these foes for the Haus expansion. This addition of human enemies not only adds narrative variety beyond the base game, but also completely changes core mechanics. For instance, encounters with human enemies may require ranged combat, finally addressing the criticism that guns in Dead Island 2 are useless compared to melee combat.
With that said, the presence of this new human faction as a techno-death cult suggests that players will face deranged melee-wielders, leading to a range of combat encounters in the DLC. By adding more life to the enemies of Dead Island 2, both figuratively and literally, the game cleverly addresses fan concerns while providing a distinct experience separate from the main story.
Not only does the inclusion of the human faction in the Haus expansion add to the narrative, but it also presents an opportunity to explore how human life is adjusting to the post-apocalyptic society. While the base-game focused on survivors, introducing antagonistic groups of humans adds depth to the world of Dead Island 2, creating a more realistic and lived-in environment. If these changes have the impact that they seem to, the Haus DLC could be a significant improvement for the recently released game.
You can find Dead Island 2 available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.