Dead Island 2 stands out from the usual zombie titles with its sharp visuals and upbeat vibe. The experience truly shines when played with friends, though players may wonder about co-op since it isn’t available from the outset. This guide explains everything you need to know about Dead Island 2’s multiplayer experience, from unlocking co-op to playing across platforms.
How is co-op played?
Co-op unlocks after finishing the tutorial, which includes three story missions: Cursed Flight, Desperately Searching for Emma, and Battle of Bel Air.
When the moment arrives, a prominent on-screen message announces that co-op is unlocked. During the fourth story mission, Call the Cavalry, a sequence of actions leads players to leave Emma’s house. After that, co-op becomes available for play, allowing friends to join in and share the adventure.
How do I set up co-op mode in Dead Island 2?
To enable co-op, open the menu and select Online in the options. From there, choosing one of the modes determines how others can participate:
- Single player – the session stays private and isn’t visible to other players;
- Open – any player can join the session;
- Invite only – specific players can be invited to join;
- Friends only – all friends can join the session.
If you’d rather not open co-op, there is always the option to quickly join another player’s session.
Co-op progression follows the story’s flow and prevents mismatches with players who are ahead. The same rule applies to players joining a session. For example, starting the sixth mission while a friend is on the fourth is doable, but your friend cannot access a later mission in your session until they reach that point.
How many players can participate in a co-op game?
Dead Island 2 supports co-op for up to three players at a time. While some fans might hope for four-player co-op, the game is designed so a trio of teammates can share the full experience seamlessly.
Can two people play on the same screen?
Like most multiplayer modes, Dead Island 2’s co-op does not offer split-screen play. Co-op requires two devices and two copies of the game to play locally, which keeps the action smooth and uninterrupted across platforms.
Is there cross play?
Cross-platform play is supported within consoles but not across PC and console players. Players on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One can team up with others on those generations, while current-generation systems such as PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S are required to start a joint game. In practice, a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S user can team up with another current-generation console owner, but PC players cannot join the same squad.
Are there PvP modes in co-op?
At present, Dead Island 2 does not include competitive PvP modes. Players can complete quests and fight zombies together, but there are no player-versus-player battles in co-op.