SPOILERS for Dead Island 2 AheadAfter years of waiting, fans can finally delve into Dead Island 2 and see how it expands the in-game universe. It contributes several important factors to the franchise, and with Dambuster Studios down to do Dead Island 3, it'll be interesting to see how this all evolves from here. There are many plot points that feel, at least for now, incomplete; a threequel is really needed to expand and finish this story.
While Dead Island 2's DLC is likely to expand on Tisha and the Numen, there are still several big questions about the franchise, such as how it'll deal with the fact that every human on Earth has the Autophage in their DNA. Interestingly enough, having a time bomb in DNA is something that is apparently scientifically possible, but there are more than real-world connections here. In fact, Dead Island 2's Autophage has some interesting similarities with the Krogan's Genophage in Mass Effect.
Dead Island 2's Humanity is on Track to Become Mass Effect's Krogan
Mass Effect fans are no doubt familiar with the Genophage, as it is a key part of every Krogan's story. During the Krogan Rebellions, Salarian scientists and Turians worked together to infect the Krogan with the Genophage to quell their reproductive capabilities and thus their rampant wars across the galaxy. Because of it, only one in a thousand Krogran pregnancies prove viable, leaving much of the race to die in stillbirth. This puts the Krogan species on the verge of extinction, as their often violent lives paired with the Genophage leave them prone to quick deaths—and that's if they get that far.
The Genophage permanently alters Krogan DNA, infecting every cell in their body. The result is something where a cure is incredibly hard to produce. While some Krogan have worked with companies to try and produce a cure, the choice of whether to cure the Genophage in Mass Effect 3 is entirely left up to the player. Furthermore, there are various social impacts like the species' general fatalism, a special importance placed on female Krogans who successfully reproduce, and a general distrust of other species (it's worsened at least).
As fans learn more about Dead Island 2's Autophage, several similarities between it and the Genophage occur. Of course, the improbability of a cure as well as the search thereof play important roles, but that's a given. More interestingly, its impact on the DNA of each species is noteworthy, as it serves as a time bomb for the human species in Dead Island 2 and the Krogan in Mass Effect. The fact that every single member of the race has its corresponding mutation feels like an unlikely story point that each game manages to explain, rather effectively at that. Both species adopt a certain fatalism because of this, with humans aware of the autophage like Dr Reuben Reed and, to a lesser extent, survivors like Sam B acting irrationally or putting an emphasis on the shortness of life.
What's more, just as female Krogan who can reproduce are treated specially, humans immune to the Autophage are a key focus of the story. The fact that players are immune is at least something that perfectly explains their actions and why they are playable characters. Female Krogan who can reproduce are just as rare as Dead Island 2's Numen. The chance of a successful pregnancy is better than a human becoming a Numen, but humanity has the benefit of being on a single planet whereas the Krogan span the Milky Way.
The Cause of the Autophage May Pull From Mass Effect
Knowing that the story itself is not done and a possible Dead Island 3 is on the horizon, one looked-over part of the story may be the biggest connection to Mass Effect. As aforementioned, Krogan were not initially born with the Genophage; their race was infected. Dead Island 2 implies that humanity has always had the Autophage, but there's possible evidence to the contrary. Near the end of Dead Island 2, Sam B begins succumbing to the zombie virus; the Slayer gives up their own shot at humanity to cure him instead.
The thing is, the events of the first Dead Island and Riptide prove that he is immune. His immunity is unlikely to just go away, subtly and potentially implying that the virus on Banoi is not the same as the Autophage. On top of that is the fact that he begins succumbing to the virus instead of evolving into a Numen, despite being "infected" many more times and much longer than Dead Island 2's slayers.
With this in mind and the fact that every human on Earth has the Autophage, it's more likely that the virus was introduced to the species instead of being a naturally occurring DNA time bomb. Just as Mass Effect's Krogan were infected by Turians and Salarians, it's likely that something infected the whole of humanity. Perhaps the Numen are not entirely reliant on the Autophage, perhaps there is something else at play, but it would make sense if the existence of the Numen is more malicious in nature than the game implies (which is saying something).
It does remain to be seen if the beats remain so similar, but there's no doubt many fans are invested in the future of Dead Island 2, with sales already soaring through the roof.
Dead Island 2 is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.