Dead Island 2 is packed with tons of zombie types, each with its own weaknesses and strengths that players need to know to effectively dispatch them. From crushing brutes to quick runners, players will need to understand a lot about each of the zombies to know what type of weapons to use, how they usually attack, and where they can be found. Thankfully, Dead Island 2 gives players the Zompedia, a resource that categorizes each type of zombie and provides information such as weaknesses, and where they can be found, like a Pokedex.
Each entry in Dead Island 2's Zompedia has four information slots that players can unlock by performing certain tasks, usually killing a certain number of zombies. Each unlocked slot provides valuable information pertaining to that zombie type and can greatly help any player that may be having a tough time. This makes the Zompedia extremely similar to the Pokedex in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, as players will need to consistently encounter and defeat the zombie types to unlock more information.
How to Unlock Zompedia Entries
Like the Pokedex in many games, the Zompedia seems to be a challenge to complete. However, unlike a Pokedex, players can rest assured that simply completing the main quest and side quests around Hell-A will complete a majority of the Zompedia. So, players do not need to endlessly explore the streets of Hell-A in search of a never-before-seen zombie type, as progressing through the story will force players to fight off a variety of zombie types anyway. Dead Island's Zompedia is far less challenging to complete, although a lot of players will find defeating some of the zombies - especially during the first encounter - is no easy task.
As the player progresses through the game and unlocks new entries in the Zompedia, they should consider revisiting it anytime they run into a zombie they simply cannot kill. Furthermore, since particular zombie types drop certain zombie parts, players will need to rely on the Zompedia if they are farming for certain parts. So, the Zompedia is the one-stop shop for any players who are having trouble defeating a particular zombie, need to find the location of a zombie, or are just interested in checking out the variety of undead in Dead Island 2.
The Zompedia is Just Like Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ Pokedex
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Pokemon Legends: Arceus was a breath of fresh air for the franchise, giving players a new way to play as they uncover the secrets of Pokemon. In the game, players have to catch and battle Pokemon multiple times to unlock more detailed entries in the Pokedex. The Pokedex made Pokemon Legends: Arceus a lot more interesting, yet challenging at the same time since players would need to constantly revisit areas or seek out Pokemon that may be harder to find, or use Pokemon they would usually not place in their team to complete the Pokedex.
Dead Island 2 adopts this formula for its Zompedia, forcing players - and especially trophy hunters - to spend countless hours performing various tasks to complete a zombie type’s entry. It also leaves a lot of room for new zombie types that may be introduced via updates or DLCs down the line and is something that other zombie games like Dying Light should consider adopting. It also makes sense that in a zombie apocalypse, survivors will want to note down the various types of zombies they may encounter and the best way to deal with them.
Dead Island 2 may not feature a massive open-world or high-octane parkour like its main competitor Dying Light, but it gives players thrills, laughs, and excitement. The Zompedia is something that players do not need to focus on, but for any looking to take a break from the main quests, completing the entries can be challenging and enjoyable. Features like the Zompedia should become mainstays for the genre, especially since every zombie game attempts to introduce never-before-seen variants and types of zombies for players to dismember.
Dead Island 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X\S.
