Weapons in Dead Island 2 Will Degrade with Use, but Dev Explains 'We’re Generous with It'

That old chestnut.

Weapon durability is a contentious mechanic amongst RPG fans, with some feeling that item degradation is an annoying and superfluous method of forcing players to constantly discard their weapons. Others, meanwhile, appreciate the immersion of having to maintain their gear and relish the idea of amassing an arsenal of death-dealing implements. Dead Island 2, as it turns out, will follow the latter school of thought, and prospective zombie survivors will need to spare a thought for the various weapons they use to deal final death to the unliving.


In an interview with VG247, Adam Duckett, design director at Dambuster Studio, elaborates on the matter: "Ranged weapons have ammo, so melee weapons have degradation. We’re generous with it; we want players to explore the full arsenal of weapons – so we have so many great mods, and so many perks, and so many other things in this game that we want players to cycle through."


Duckett explains that players will be able to equip eight weapons on their weapon wheel, and an additional eight can be kept in reserve, allowing you to cycle through this arsenal at a moment's notice. Weapons can be modified to do elemental damage, allowing you to use the right tool for the job at hand, depending on the enemy you face.


Additionally, weapon degradation is shown onscreen, allowing players to turn off the HUD, and still know when a weapon is about to break. Duckett notes that “there’s nothing better than cracking a katana, looking at the hilt in your hand, and then seeing the rest of the blade embedded in a zombie’s skull.”


How do you feel about weapon durability mechanics, do you think they add to the immersion or needless busy work?

 

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