This game is an open-world unique play on the zombie apocalypse genre, and in the end I think it does a nice portrayal. This game starts with your character coming too from a hangover and then being guided out of a deserted hotel by a voice over an intercom. From here you will join up with a group of survivors and try to piece together what happened on the island of Banoi.
Along the way you will try to solve the mystery surrounding the island and the mysterious outbreak, and of course, tons of zombie killing along the way. The graphics are beautiful, and the game play is mostly solid, with a fun combat system. With that said, there are always things that could have been done better. My personal biggest annoyance is driving vehicles. The controls while driving feel stiff and make it very difficult to maneuver, but this isn't a driving game so I didn't let that affect my scoring of the game, just a side-note. The only real downside to this game is a problem that I have found with all zombie killers alike. There is just so many times you can destroy groups of zombies without it feeling repetitious.
One of the great parts of this game is the fact that there is plenty to do. As you wander through the island you will come across countless side-quests and plenty of little goodies that will help piece together what caused the island breakout. The shining jewel of this game doesn't become truly obvious until you get a couple of friends with you. Dead Island uses a co-op mode that I think all games should be required to use. You play through the full game with up to 3 friends (not counting yourself) for a total of 4 mobbing through the island bashing the skulls of zombies.
I truly recommend this game if you are into free-roam, zombie killing good times.