REVIEW – Techland’s work this year was mostly consisting of re-releasing their older games, although Dying Light got a new DLC (The Following). Dead Island also got some extra due to the addition of a retro-styled game, but Definitive Collection is still not something that you must own in your collection.

The idea behind Deep Silver releasing the three-game Definitive Collection makes sense if you think about it. Originally, the plan was that while the second numbered installment is in development (if it is – Sumo Digital’s development might be halted, as its Steam page has been removed), people could have played the first game’s and the expansion Riptide, plus the 16-bit sidescroller Retro Revenge.

A repainted, rusty car is still not a modern vehicle

Dead Island, as well as Riptide, come in its full format, so all the DLCs, including the survival Bloodbath Arena, is in the package. However, what Techland has improved in the genre with Dying Light isn’t present in Dead Island and Riptide. Despite the sunny start, the pace is much slower than in Dying Light. Still, if we use the punching mod (indeed; the developers have officially picked up a few fan-favorite mods!), then it would make sense, though – we have more time to laugh off the zombies’ bruises as we uppercut the sh_t out of them.

I’m trying to point out the differences in the Definitive versions that are changed from the originals. For example, the graphics received an overhaul, but was it a good move? I think you should answer that yourself after watching DigitalFoundry’s comparison, although they used the Xbox 360 version for the prev-gen.

The framerate hasn’t improved; it’s still thirty frames per second. I cannot believe that it couldn’t have been more. The Definitive versions of the games look more realistic, but I think this thing is a missed opportunity for Techland.

I’d say that if they kept the similar look of the original versions but on sixty frames per second, it might have been a better idea. Oh well, the games are still buggy: not once I encountered falling out of the maps (I tend to do this way too often), plus I’ve seen some of those classic floating zombies, too.

The gameplay is also mostly similar to the original games. Our character’s dialogue is sub-par, the parkour is much behind Dying Light’s quality, but at least the skill tree got some new perks. There’re some changes here, which is always welcome. I’d return to the audio for a moment, though: something was off. Many times I have heard NPCs audio lines out of sync. What’s going on with that, Techland?

Retro Revenge

The only thing that saves the collection from a 5/10 rating is the addition of Retro Revenge. The game – that has a Story, Survival, and Marathon mode – has a new protagonist called Max.

He has a bloody Californian adventure in a style similar to Final Fight and Streets of Rage (the game’s a beat’em up!). Unfortunately, I ended up disappointed quickly: the three-chapter story is okay, but boy, the gameplay is slow, monotone, and it lacks originality. That’s another missed chance to shine, although this mini-game was developed by Empty Clip Studios.

Only, and only if you have missed the originals

If you have Dead Island (and Riptide) on PS3, X360, or PC, don’t get it. (Maybe, just maybe for PC, it costs 3 euros/dollars per each game to get the Definitive version until August.) Still, the PlayStation 4 version has a much more stable framerate than the PS3 version, although it’s still limited to thirty fps, and the visuals might look a little off if you compare the original to a Definitive Edition.

The gameplay had very little changes, but the mods make up for it somewhat. Maybe one thing has a positive for Dead Island: the stamina, you don’t get gassed after two or three swings in melee… but in return, the game plays slower.

So if Dead Island is new for you, get it… if it’s around 20 bucks or so. Retro Revenge is a good addition, but it gets tiresome way too quickly.

After this release, Techland is evolving into a publisher, so our Polish friends start their song on a low note. Let’s hope that the term „re-release” will mean more to them from today.

-V-

Publisher: Deep Silver

Developer: Techland, Empty Clip Studios

Genre: Zombie survival sandbox, sidescrolling, 16-bit beat’em up

Release date: May 31, 2016