Fans of gory zombie action games can finally add Dead Island 2 to their Steam libraries. After a year of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store, the title arrived on Valve’s platform on April 22nd, 2023. This move follows a trend of games launching first on the Epic Games Store before making their way to Steam later.
Dead Island 2 is an action RPG set in a zombie-infested Los Angeles. Players take on the role of immune survivors who must fight their way through hordes of the undead using a variety of weapons and crafting mechanics.
The game retains the over-the-top violence and dark humor that fans enjoyed in the first Dead Island and now Steam gamers can enjoy 2nd take of this amazing zombie game on their favorite platform too!
Dead Island 2’s Epic Games Store exclusivity ends and arrives on Steam
Dead Island 2’s initial launch in 2023 bypassed Steam in favor of the Epic Games Store. This exclusivity deal is a common tactic used by Epic to compete with Steam, the long-standing leader in PC gaming marketplaces. Epic offers developers financial incentives and a larger revenue share to entice them to launch their games exclusively on their platform for a set period.
Steam release also marks the Dead Island 2 Hollywood and Howling Woods DLC
The Steam release of Dead Island 2 isn’t just the base game. It also includes the “Hollywood and Howling Woods” (Haus & SoLA) DLC expansions. Haus takes players to a blood-soaked Hollywood filled with celebrity zombies, while SoLA throws them into a twisted music festival overrun by the undead. These expansions add new locations, enemies, and story content to the Dead Island 2 experience.
Mixed reviews greet Steam release
Despite arriving on Steam, Dead Island 2’s reception has been mixed. Some reviewers praise the game’s satisfying melee combat, open world exploration, and wacky sense of humor. Others criticize technical issues and the use of Epic Online Services (EOS) for some functionalities, which can be a point of contention for some Steam users who prefer to avoid additional launchers.
How to play Dead Island 2 without the Epic Games launcher
While Dead Island 2 on Steam doesn’t require the Epic Games Launcher to run the single-player campaign or co-op with other Steam users, some files related to Epic Online Services (EOS) might be present and that’s the exact reason why Steam reviews for Dead Island 2 is mixed right now.
Here’s how to avoid launching the Epic Games Launcher when playing Dead Island 2 on Steam:
- If you have the Epic Games Launcher installed, it’s recommended to uninstall it before proceeding. This ensures there are no conflicts when launching Dead Island 2.
- Navigate to your Steam library folder. The default location is typically “C:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Dead Island 2”. Within this folder, locate a directory named “EpicGamesLauncher” (if it exists).
- If you find the “EpicGamesLauncher” folder, delete it. This removes any potential launcher files associated with EOS.
- In the same “Dead Island 2” folder, locate a file named “DeadIsland.ini”. Open this file with a text editor like Notepad.
- Within the “DeadIsland.ini” file, search for the line “NoOperation=0”. If it exists, change the value from “0” to “1”. This might disable attempts to launch the Epic Games Launcher when starting Dead Island 2.
Remember: Modifying game files can be risky. Always back up the “DeadIsland.ini” file before making any changes. If you encounter issues after these steps, verify the integrity of your Steam game files or revert the changes made to the “DeadIsland.ini” file.
Dead Island 2 Now available at discount
To celebrate the Steam release, Dead Island 2 is currently available at a 50% discount. This offer ends on April 30th, 2023, so players looking to jump into the zombie apocalypse on Steam have a limited window to snag the title at a reduced price.
Crossplay with Epic Games Store possible
For those who already own Dead Island 2 on the Epic Games Store, there’s some good news. The Steam version supports crossplay with the Epic version. This means players on both platforms can team up and take down zombie hordes together. However, this functionality requires linking your Epic Games account to your Steam account, and some users may prefer to keep their accounts separate.
The arrival of Dead Island 2 on Steam gives PC gamers another option for experiencing the zombie-slaying mayhem. Whether you choose the Epic Games Store or Steam version depends on your personal preference for launchers, potential discount availability, and your desire to play with friends who might be on the other platform.
Featured image credit: Dead Island 2/Steam
