The events in Dead Island: Riptide occur right after those of the first Dead Island game although they are disconnected enough that you don’t have to play the first one if this is your first experience with the franchise which is an important choice from the developer to keep the adventure as open as possible. Launching in 2013 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 its an overall similar experience released only two years after the success of the original zombie beat down title.
Dead Island: Riptide is the second game in the Dead Island series and continues on with familiar lore and mechanics from your previous adventure but takes place on a whole new island which keeps it accessible to newcomers to the franchise.
