Step onto the sun-drenched shores of Banoi, a tropical paradise that has tragically transformed into a living nightmare. A mysterious epidemic has swept through the island resort, turning its inhabitants into ravenous, bloodthirsty zombies. As one of four distinct survivors, your primary objective is survival, which means navigating a world overrun by the undead and finding a way to escape the island.

This is a first-person action RPG that blends intense shooting with visceral melee combat. The island of Banoi is presented as an open-world environment, encouraging exploration across diverse locales, from bustling urban areas and dense forests to rugged mountain highlands and secluded beaches. The core gameplay loop revolves around completing missions, gathering resources, and battling the relentless zombie hordes.

Core Gameplay and Combat

The combat system offers a dynamic mix of ranged and close-quarters engagements. While firearms and ammunition are scarce, forcing players to make every shot count, the game heavily emphasizes brutal hand-to-hand combat. Players can wield a variety of makeshift weapons, including axes, machetes, knives, and clubs. These weapons are not permanent fixtures; they degrade over time with use, requiring players to constantly scavenge for replacements or craft upgrades.

Experience points are earned through combat and completing objectives, allowing players to level up their chosen character. This progression system enables players to improve their character's attributes and unlock new fighting skills, tailoring their survivor to their preferred playstyle. The game supports both a first-person perspective for general exploration and an over-the-shoulder view specifically for more immersive melee combat.

Cooperative Survival

A significant feature of this title is its robust cooperative multiplayer. Up to four players can team up for drop-in, drop-out cooperative action, allowing friends to join or leave sessions seamlessly. The four playable characters—two male and two female—each possess unique strengths and weaknesses. These differences can be strategically offset through character leveling and by coordinating with teammates, making teamwork crucial for overcoming the challenges of Banoi.

What makes this game unique?

The game distinguishes itself through its emphasis on crafting and weapon customization. Players can find blueprints and materials scattered throughout the island to enhance their existing weapons or create entirely new, more potent tools of destruction. This system adds a layer of strategic depth to resource management and combat preparation.

Game of the Year Edition Content

The Game of the Year Edition includes the original game along with its significant downloadable content. This expanded package features new blueprints and weapons to further enhance the crafting system. Additionally, it incorporates the "Bloodbath Arena" DLC, offering a dedicated multiplayer survival mode, and the "Ryder White" campaign, a single-player story expansion that provides additional narrative content.

Basic Game Information

This is a main game release, offering the complete core experience. It was developed by Techland and published by Deep Silver. The Game of the Year Edition was released on June 26, 2012, and is available on Xbox 360, PC (Microsoft Windows), and PlayStation 3.

Additional Content

The Game of the Year Edition includes the base game and two main DLC releases: "Bloodbath Arena" and the "Ryder White" campaign. There are no expansions or remakes associated with this specific edition.