Dead Island Riptide Release Date Arrives: Is it an Expansion or a Sequel?

With the release of Dead Island: Riptide, many fans of the game were left wondering if this game was meant as a sequel to the original 2011 game, or if it was meant as an expansion to the game. Indeed, the game is a sequel to the original, but the similarities between the two make it look like the games are striking.

One of the big points of confusion for some fans was that the settings between the two games are very similar. Both games take place on a tropical resort island that has been overrun by zombies. While the first game took place on the island of Banoi, Riptide takes place on the island of Palanoi. Further linking the two games is the fact that all four characters from the original Dead Island game are back for this game, and players can even import their old characters from the first game into the sequel. Only one new playable character appears in Riptide.

With very similar settings and the old characters returning with only one new playable character, it is easy to see why some think of Dead Island: Riptide as a mere expansion of the first game, shined up and package as a full game by Deep Silver. If you enjoyed the formula of the original Dead Island, then there is much to like about Riptide. You can still craft weapons to bash in a zombies head and explore a tropical paradise overrun with zombies with a few friends. If you did not like the experience of the first game, however, it's probably best to steer clear. The formula for Riptide is virtually the same, so if you cannot look pass the glitches, repetitive gameplay, and lackluster story of Dead Island, then you might as well not even bother with it's sequel, Riptide.