Resident Evil Village vs Dead Island 2

• Perspective: First-Person (Third-Person Mode available in Winters' Expansion)
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Campaign. The Mercenaries mode is single-player. (RE:Verse was a separate bundled multiplayer game).
• Setting: Isolated Eastern European Village & Surrounding Areas (Castle, Factory, etc.)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (Cloud Version), macOS, iOS
• Unique Feature: Four Distinct Lord Domains with Unique Horror Themes, Memorable Antagonists (Lady Dimitrescu), Inventory Management & Crafting, First-Person Immersive Horror, Winters' Expansion (Shadows of Rose, Third-Person Mode).

• Perspective: First-Person
• Multiplayer: Cooperative (Up to 3 players online)
• Setting: Los Angeles ('HELL-A'), California, Post-Zombie Apocalypse
• Platforms: PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Unique Feature: FLESH Dismemberment System, Six Unique Playable Slayers, Skill Card System, LA Setting, Darkly Humorous Tone.

• None (Ethan Winters - Gameplay): For the vast majority of his playable sections, Ethan Winters fights alone. He does not have persistent AI companions that follow him or can be commanded in combat during his main story segments.
• Hound Wolf Squad Members (Chris Redfield's Section - Temporary AI): During Chris Redfield's playable segment, he is accompanied by members of his Hound Wolf Squad (e.g., Canine, Lobo, Night Howl, Umber Eyes). They are AI-controlled and provide significant combat support with military-grade weaponry and tactics during these specific missions.
  Human (BSAA Elite Soldiers)
• Mia Winters & Rosemary Winters (Narrative Context): While central to Ethan's motivations, Mia and Rosemary do not act as gameplay companions for Ethan. Rosemary is an infant, and Mia's active role is primarily at the beginning and end of the game.
  Human
• Michael (Shadows of Rose DLC - Temporary Guide/Entity): In the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC, Rose is guided by a mysterious entity calling itself 'Michael,' which communicates through text appearing on surfaces. It provides hints and narrative direction but is not a physical companion.
  Mysterious Entity (Megamycete Construct)

• Co-op Players (Online): Up to two other players can join the host's game in online co-op, choosing from the roster of six Slayers (duplicates allowed). Teammates can revive each other, combine combat efforts using different Slayer abilities and weapon loadouts, and assist in completing quests and exploring HELL-A. Loot is generally instanced or shared fairly.
  Human (Other Players' Slayers)
• Story-Specific AI Allies (Temporary & Contextual): During certain main story missions or side quests, key NPC characters like Sam B or other survivors might temporarily fight alongside the player or provide support. Their presence and combat abilities are scripted for those specific mission segments. They are not persistent, commandable companions.
  Human (e.g., Sam B, Emma Jaunt, other survivors)

• Files (Notes, Diaries, Documents, Reports): Numerous readable documents found throughout all areas. They provide rich backstory on the village's history, the Four Lords, Mother Miranda's experiments, the BSAA's involvement, Ethan and Mia's past, and general lore about the Resident Evil universe. Essential for understanding the full narrative.
• Goats of Warding: 20 small, wooden goat effigies hidden in various locations across the village and its surrounding areas. They make a distinct clicking sound when nearby. Destroying all of them unlocks an achievement/trophy and Challenge Points for the Extra Content Shop.
• Treasures (Crystal Fragments, Wooden Animals, Combineable Treasures, etc.): Valuable items that can be found hidden in the environment, dropped by certain enemies, or in locked areas. These can be sold to The Duke for Lei (in-game currency). Some treasures consist of multiple parts that can be combined to create a more valuable item (e.g., Dimitrescu's Necklace, Moreau's Hidden Weapon).
• Weapon Parts (Attachments): Found in specific locations, often in locked cases or hidden areas, or purchased from The Duke. These attachments (e.g., scopes, stocks, extended magazines, compensators) can be equipped to weapons at The Duke's Emporium to improve their stats or functionality.
• Cooked Meals Ingredients (Fish, Poultry, Meat - Quality Tiers): Animals like fish, chickens, pigs, and goats can be hunted in the village and surrounding areas. They drop different qualities of meat. These ingredients are given to The Duke to cook special meals that provide permanent upgrades to Ethan's maximum health, blocking defense, or movement speed.
• Outhouse Puzzles (Hidden Items): Many outhouses in the village have a small item hidden inside, often requiring a lockpick or a specific angle to see and shoot down. These usually contain ammo or minor resources.
• Labyrinth Puzzles & Balls: Each of the Four Lords' main areas (and the village) contains a Labyrinth Puzzle model. Ethan must find a corresponding metal ball (e.g., Crimson Skull, Black Goat) and guide it through the miniature labyrinth to obtain a valuable Crystal Treasure.

• Skill Cards: Found throughout HELL-A in specific locations, dropped by certain powerful zombies, or awarded for completing quests. These are essential for character progression, unlocking new active abilities, passive buffs, and Autophage skills for the equipped Slayer.
• Journals (Audio Logs, Text Files, Data Discs): Various readable or listenable lore items scattered across all districts. They provide backstory on the LA outbreak, the wider world events, personal stories of survivors and victims, information on different zombie types, and insights into key characters or organizations like the mysterious KONNI group.
• Blueprints (Weapon Mods & Curveballs): Recipes required to craft weapon modifications (e.g., elemental damage, increased impact, durability) at workbenches, and to craft different types of Curveballs (throwable items). Found in hidden locations, as quest rewards, or purchased from traders.
• Lockboxes & Keys: Secure containers that require a specific key to open, often dropped by a named zombie in the vicinity or hidden nearby. Lockboxes usually contain high-quality weapons, valuable resources, or blueprints.
• Lost & Found Quests (Weapon/Journal Based): A series of collectible quests initiated by finding a specific weapon or journal entry. Following the chain of clues (often across multiple journal entries) leads to a powerful unique weapon or other significant reward.
• Fuse Boxes & Fuses: Locked rooms or areas often require finding a fuse and inserting it into a fuse box to restore power and gain access. Fuses are consumable items that can be bought or found.
• Unique Weapons (Named Legendary/Epic Weapons): Special, often named, versions of standard weapon types with unique appearances, pre-set powerful mods, and sometimes special properties. Acquired as quest rewards, from specific powerful enemies, or found in well-hidden locations/lockboxes.

• Survival Horror
• Gothic Horror
• Folk Horror
• Body Horror
• Family & Fatherhood
• Desperation
• Loss & Trauma
• Cults & Fanaticism
• Bio-Organic Weapons
• Mystery & Conspiracy
• The Nature of Evil

• Zombie Apocalypse
• Survival
• Quarantine & Lockdown
• Satire of LA Culture
• Gore & Dismemberment
• Finding a Cure
• Immunity & Mutation
• Makeshift Weaponry
• Dark Humor
• Chaos & Mayhem

• Handguns (LEMI, M1911, V61 Custom, S.T.A.K.E. Magnum, etc.): Pistol / Magnum
  Standard sidearms for general combat. Range from basic pistols to powerful magnums. Upgradable for damage, fire rate, capacity, etc. Some have unique properties or attachments.
• Shotguns (M1897, W870 TAC, SYG-12): Shotgun (Pump-Action, Semi-Auto)
  Effective at close range, dealing high damage to unarmored or multiple enemies. Includes pump-action, tactical, and semi-automatic variants. Upgradable.
• Rifles (FZ F2 Rifle, Dragoon - Chris Redfield Section): Sniper Rifle / Assault Rifle
  The FZ F2 is a bolt-action sniper rifle for long-range precision. During Chris Redfield's section, assault rifles like the Dragoon are used. Upgradable with scopes, stocks, etc.
• Grenade Launcher (GM 79): Explosive / Utility Launcher
  Fires explosive rounds for area damage or flashbang rounds to stun enemies. Limited ammunition.
• Knife: Melee (Utility/Last Resort)
  Ethan's standard melee weapon. Used for breaking crates, finishing downed enemies, or as a last resort in combat. Not very effective against most enemies on its own.
• Mines & Pipe Bombs: Craftable Explosives
  Craftable throwable or deployable explosives. Pipe bombs are basic grenades, while mines can be set as traps.
• Special/Story Weapons (e.g., specific weapons during boss fights or unique sections): Contextual / Unique
  Certain sections or boss encounters may provide Ethan (or other playable characters like Chris) with unique or powerful weapons temporarily.
• Chris Redfield's Arsenal (Target Locator, WCX Assault Rifle, Karambit Knife - Playable Section): Military Grade Weaponry
  During Chris's playable segment, he has access to more advanced military weaponry, including an assault rifle with various attachments and a target locator for airstrikes.
• Rose Winters' Powers (Shadows of Rose DLC - Not traditional weapons): Bio-Organic Abilities
  In the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC, Rose uses powers derived from the Mold to destroy Mold Cores, stun enemies, and clear obstacles, rather than conventional firearms for most of the DLC.

• Melee Weapons (One-Handed & Two-Handed - Various Types): Blunt, Slashing, Piercing (e.g., Machetes, Katanas, Sledgehammers, Baseball Bats, Knives, Axes, Wrenches, Golf Clubs, Brass Knuckles, Claws)
  The primary combat tools. Vast array of improvised and conventional melee weapons found throughout HELL-A. Categorized by type (e.g., Headhunter, Maiming, Frenzy, Bulldozer). Can be modified at workbenches with elemental mods (fire, shock, caustic), status effect mods (bleed, impact), and stat-boosting mods. Weapons have rarity tiers and durability.
• Ranged Weapons (Firearms - Pistols, SMGs, Rifles, Shotguns, Nail Guns): Ballistic
  Firearms are present but ammunition is generally scarcer than melee options. Includes various pistols, revolvers, submachine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, and unique weapons like nail guns. Can also be modified with perks and elemental effects.
• Curveballs (Throwables): Tactical/Explosive/Utility (e.g., Meat Bait, Pipe Bomb, Molotov Cocktail, Shuriken, Electric Star, Chem Bomb, Nail Bomb)
  Reusable throwable items with cooldowns. Essential for crowd control, distraction, applying elemental effects, or dealing AoE damage. New curveball types are found or earned.
• Legendary Weapons: Unique Named Variants (Various Melee & Ranged)
  Special, named versions of existing weapon types with unique appearances, pre-set powerful mods, and often special properties or effects. Typically acquired as quest rewards or found in hidden, high-level locations.
• Slayer Abilities (Fury Mode & Autophage Skills): Innate Character Powers
  Each of the six playable Slayers has unique innate skills. All Slayers can enter 'Fury Mode,' a temporary super state with powerful melee attacks. Autophage skills (unlocked via skill cards) tap into their infected nature, often providing high-risk, high-reward abilities that might consume health or have other trade-offs.

• No Equipable Armor System (Ethan Winters): Ethan Winters does not have an equipable armor system where players can find or upgrade different pieces of armor for direct stat boosts. His survivability is based on his base health (which can be permanently increased by eating specific cooked meals from The Duke's Kitchen), player skill in combat (blocking, dodging), and the use of healing items (First Aid Meds). Clothing changes are story-dictated and purely cosmetic.
• Defensive Upgrades (The Duke's Kitchen): By providing The Duke with specific quantities of Fish, Poultry, and Meat obtained from hunting animals in the village, Ethan can have meals cooked that provide permanent upgrades to his maximum health, blocking defense, or movement speed. This is the primary way to increase his resilience.
• Blocking Mechanic: Ethan can block incoming attacks with his arms or equipped weapon, significantly reducing damage taken. A well-timed block can sometimes stagger enemies. This is a core defensive skill.

• No Equipable Armor System: Players do not equip traditional armor pieces (helmets, chest plates, etc.) for direct stat increases. A Slayer's resilience is primarily determined by their base Health (which can be increased via some Skill Cards or temporary Numen Autophage skills), their chosen Slayer's innate toughness stats, and player skill in dodging, blocking, and parrying.
• Skill Cards (Defensive Perks): Many Skill Cards in the 'Survivor' or Slayer-specific categories provide defensive perks, such as damage reduction, increased health regeneration, improved blocking effectiveness, or resistance to specific status effects. These are the primary way to enhance a Slayer's survivability.
• Cosmetic Outfits: Players can unlock and equip various cosmetic outfits for their chosen Slayer. These are purely visual and do not provide any gameplay advantages or stat bonuses. Outfits are often rewards for completing quests, challenges, or part of DLC/Special Editions.

• Ethan Winters' Attire: Ethan wears a consistent outfit throughout the main game (winter jacket, pants, etc.), which becomes progressively more tattered and bloodied as he endures hardships. There are no direct clothing customization options for Ethan in the story mode beyond these contextual changes. The Third-Person Mode added in the Winters' Expansion shows his full character model.
• Chris Redfield's Attire: During his playable segment, Chris wears his signature Hound Wolf Squad tactical gear. This is fixed for his section.
• Rose Winters' Attire (Shadows of Rose DLC): In the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC, teenage Rose wears a distinct outfit. Her appearance is fixed for her storyline.
• Character Costumes (The Mercenaries Additional Orders / Unlockables): The Mercenaries mode and potentially other unlockable content (like through completing challenges or as part of Deluxe/Gold editions) may offer alternate cosmetic costumes for playable characters in those specific modes (e.g., different outfits for Chris, Lady Dimitrescu, Heisenberg in Mercenaries).

• Slayer Outfits (Default & Unlockable): Each of the six playable Slayers has a unique default outfit reflecting their personality and backstory. Additional cosmetic outfits can be unlocked through game progression (e.g., completing challenges, specific quests), as part of DLC packs (e.g., Character Packs from Deluxe/Gold Editions), or through special promotions. These outfits are purely visual and do not affect gameplay stats.
• Weapon Skins (Limited): Some special editions or DLC packs include unique cosmetic skins for certain weapons (e.g., Golden Weapons Pack). These change the appearance of the weapon but not its performance.

Dead Island 2 features a semi-open world structure, divided into several distinct, large districts of Los Angeles rather than one single seamless map. These districts unlock progressively and are connected by loading screens. Iconic locations include Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, The Halperin Hotel, Monarch Studios, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Avenue, and Hollywood Boulevard. Each district is densely packed with detail, interiors to explore, and environmental storytelling.

• Tractor (Briefly, Cutscene/Scripted): Agricultural Land Vehicle
  Ethan briefly uses a tractor during an escape sequence early in the game, but it is a scripted event rather than a freely controllable vehicle.
• Boat (Moreau's Reservoir): Small Motorboat / Watercraft
  Used by Ethan to navigate the flooded areas of Moreau's Reservoir while being pursued by the transformed Salvatore Moreau. Control is primarily for navigation and evasion during this specific segment.
• Makeshift Tank / Vehicle (Heisenberg's Factory - Boss Fight): Improvised Combat Vehicle
  During the boss fight against Karl Heisenberg, Ethan pilots a makeshift, heavily armed vehicle created by Chris Redfield to counter Heisenberg's metallic form. Control is specific to this boss encounter.
• Traversal on Foot (Walking, Running, Sprinting, Crouching): Player Locomotion
  Primary mode of movement. Ethan can walk, run (limited by stamina that isn't explicitly shown but implied by breathlessness), sprint for short bursts, and crouch for stealth or navigating low passages.

• No Player-Controlled Vehicles (Generally)
  Dead Island 2 primarily focuses on on-foot traversal and exploration through its dense urban environments. While vehicles (cars, trucks, buses) are abundantly present in the ruined streets of Los Angeles as environmental objects and obstacles, players cannot commandeer and drive them freely like in the original Dead Island or some other open-world games. Some can explode or be used as cover.
• Fast Travel (District Maps): Map Traversal Mechanic
  Once certain story progression points are reached or specific safe houses/locations are unlocked within a district, players can use a map interface to fast travel between these discovered points within the current district, and also to travel between different major LA districts (which involves a loading screen).
• Traversal on Foot (Walking, Running, Sprinting, Kicking, Sliding, Dodging): Player Locomotion
  Primary mode of movement. Slayers can walk, run, sprint (limited by stamina), perform jump kicks, slide, and utilize a dodge mechanic to evade enemy attacks. While not as parkour-focused as Dying Light, environmental navigation (climbing, mantling) is present.

• Ethan Winters: Protagonist
  The returning protagonist from Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. A civilian desperately searching for his kidnapped infant daughter, Rosemary, which leads him to a mysterious and hostile village in Eastern Europe. He endures immense physical and psychological trauma throughout his ordeal.
• Mia Winters: Supporting Character / Ethan's Wife
  Ethan's wife and Rosemary's mother. Her apparent death at the beginning of the game sets Ethan on his quest. Her past connections to The Connections and bioweapons are relevant.
• Rosemary 'Rose' Winters: Key Character / Ethan's Daughter / Playable in 'Shadows of Rose' DLC
  Ethan and Mia's infant daughter, who possesses unique abilities due to her parents' exposure to the Mold. She is kidnapped by Chris Redfield, and her rescue is Ethan's primary motivation. Playable as a teenager in the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC.
• Chris Redfield: Supporting Character / Antagonist Figure (Initially) / BSAA Operative
  A recurring hero from the Resident Evil series. He appears to act antagonistically at the start of Village, but his true motives and mission are gradually revealed. Leads the Hound Wolf Squad. Playable in a short segment of the main game and as a character in The Mercenaries.
• The Duke: Ally / Merchant
  An enigmatic and surprisingly jovial, obese merchant who appears in various locations throughout the village. He sells weapons, ammunition, crafting recipes, weapon upgrades, and cooks meals for Ethan that provide permanent stat boosts. Offers cryptic advice and assistance.
• Mother Miranda: Main Antagonist / Village Cult Leader
  The supreme leader of the village and the Four Lords. A powerful bioweapon researcher who seeks to use Rosemary to resurrect her own deceased daughter, Eva. She is the source of the Mold and the mutations in the region.
• Lady Alcina Dimitrescu: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords
  The towering, aristocratic mistress of Castle Dimitrescu. A vampiric figure with immense strength and retractable claws, she rules her domain with her three daughters. Became a viral sensation due to her height and design.
• Karl Heisenberg: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords / Potential Rebel
  A charismatic and rebellious lord with the power to manipulate metal (ferrokinesis). He operates a factory producing cybernetic soldiers (Soldats). He has his own agenda and offers Ethan a chance to join him against Miranda.
• Donna Beneviento & Angie: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords
  A reclusive doll maker who communicates through her sentient puppet, Angie. Her domain, House Beneviento, focuses on psychological horror, hallucinations, and puzzles rather than direct combat.
• Salvatore Moreau: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords
  A grotesque, fish-like mutant lord with low self-esteem, desperate for Miranda's approval. He controls a reservoir and can transform into a colossal aquatic monster.
• Elena & Leonardo Lupu: Supporting Characters / Villagers
  Survivors Ethan encounters in the village. Elena tries to help Ethan but faces tragic circumstances with her father, Leonardo.
• The Hag (Old Crone): Supporting Character / Narrator Figure
  An elderly, mysterious villager who appears at various points, offering cryptic warnings, lore, and seemingly observing Ethan's journey.

• Amy: Playable Slayer (The Sprinter)
  A Paralympian athlete who thrives on adrenaline. Agile and quick-witted, excels at hit-and-run tactics and critical hits against isolated zombies. Innate skills: Relief Pitcher (regains stamina for throwing weapons), Divide and Conquer (damage boost to isolated zombies).
• Bruno: Playable Slayer (The Hustler)
  A calculating LA native with a talent for deception. Excels at backstabs and exploiting enemy weaknesses. Innate skills: Backstab (damage boost from behind), Rapid Reprisal (agility/heavy attack boost after avoiding attacks).
• Carla: Playable Slayer (The Stuntwoman)
  A tough and resilient motorcycle stuntwoman. Excels in crowded fights and has high elemental resistance. Innate skills: Dig Deep (toughness boost when health is critical), Mosh Pit (minor damage boost when close to multiple zombies).
• Dani: Playable Slayer (The Rockabilly Brawler)
  A foul-mouthed Irish retail assistant with a love for roller derby and punk rock. High stamina and explosive heavy attacks. Innate skills: Thunderous (heavy attacks trigger explosions), Bloodlust (regains health for rapid successive kills).
• Jacob: Playable Slayer (The Stuntman / Anti-Hero)
  A morally ambiguous Londoner with a Shakespearean flair, working as a stuntman. High peak health and critical damage boosts. Innate skills: Feral (stackable damage boost for successive attacks), Critical Gains (critical hits boost critical damage and restore stamina).
• Ryan: Playable Slayer (The Firefighter / Tank)
  An exotic dancer dressed as a firefighter, surprisingly kind-hearted and determined to find his brother. High toughness and defensive capabilities. Innate skills: Retaliation (force boost when blocking/dodging), Seesaw (regains health when knocking down a zombie).
• Sam B: Supporting Character / Immune Survivor / Rapper
  A returning character from the original Dead Island. A one-hit-wonder rapper who is also immune to the virus. Acts as a mentor figure and key ally to the player Slayer.
• Emma Jaunt: Supporting Character / Actress
  A famous actress holed up in her Bel-Air mansion, providing a temporary safe haven for the Slayers.
• Dr. Reuben Reed: Key NPC / Scientist
  A scientist working on a potential cure or solution to the zombie outbreak, seemingly for a clandestine organization. His motivations and true allegiances are a central mystery.
• Konradt (DLC - Haus): Antagonist (DLC) / Cult Leader
  The enigmatic leader of a bizarre techno-death cult operating out of a luxurious Malibu villa. Central figure in the 'Haus' DLC.
• Various other survivors and minor characters: Quest Givers, Traders, Victims
  HELL-A is populated by numerous other uninfected survivors who offer quests, trade goods, or become part of the environmental storytelling.

• Main Story Campaign (Ethan's Search for Rose)
  A series of interconnected chapters following Ethan Winters' desperate journey through the titular village and the domains of the Four Lords (Castle Dimitrescu, House Beneviento, Moreau's Reservoir, Heisenberg's Factory) to rescue his kidnapped daughter, Rosemary, and confront Mother Miranda. Involves exploration, puzzle-solving, intense combat encounters, and boss battles.
• Chris Redfield's Section
  A segment of the main campaign where players take control of Chris Redfield as he leads his Hound Wolf Squad on a mission related to Mother Miranda and the Megamycete, showcasing more action-oriented gameplay with military weaponry.
• Puzzle Solving (Key Items, Environmental Puzzles)
  Throughout the game, Ethan must find key items (e.g., specific keys, crests, tools like the Well Wheel or Crank) and solve environmental puzzles to progress, unlock new areas, or access valuable loot. This includes tasks like finding mask fragments in Castle Dimitrescu or navigating the non-combat horror sequences in House Beneviento.
• Boss Battles (Four Lords, Miranda, Mini-Bosses)
  Confront and defeat the unique and often multi-phase bosses that guard the end of each major area or serve as significant story encounters. This includes fighting each of the Four Lords in their transformed states and ultimately Mother Miranda.
• Optional Exploration & Treasure Hunting
  Explore optional paths, hidden rooms, and side areas within the main locations to find valuable treasures (which can be sold to The Duke), weapon parts, crafting resources, files, and Goats of Warding. Some treasures require solving small puzzles or finding combineable parts.
• The Duke's Kitchen (Hunting & Upgrades)
  Hunt animals (fish, poultry, meat) found in the village and surrounding areas. Bring the ingredients to The Duke, who can cook special meals that provide permanent upgrades to Ethan's maximum health, blocking defense, or movement speed.
• Shadows of Rose Story Campaign (DLC)
  A new narrative campaign played as a teenage Rosemary Winters. She enters the Megamycete's consciousness to find a way to rid herself of her powers, facing surreal environments, new enemies (Face Eaters, Molded), and exploring her connection to the Mold. Played entirely in third-person.
• The Mercenaries / The Mercenaries Additional Orders (Game Mode)
  An arcade-style score attack mode. Players choose a character (Ethan, Chris, Lady Dimitrescu, Heisenberg) and fight through waves of enemies across various stages within a time limit, aiming for high scores by chaining kills and utilizing character-specific abilities and weapons. Unlocks new stages and potentially in-game rewards.

• Main Story Quests (Escaping HELL-A & Finding a Cure)
  A series of narrative-driven quests following the chosen Slayer's journey to survive the Los Angeles outbreak, understand their immunity and new Autophage powers, search for a way out of the quarantined city, and potentially find a cure or assist key figures like Dr. Reed. Involves progressing through different LA districts and confronting major threats.
• Side Quests (Survivor Stories & Requests)
  Numerous optional quests given by various NPCs encountered throughout HELL-A. These offer diverse scenarios, from helping fellow survivors with personal problems, scavenging for specific items, investigating strange occurrences, to clearing out zombie infestations. They provide XP, rewards (weapons, blueprints, skill cards), and further insight into the world and its inhabitants.
• Lost & Found Quests (Weapon & Journal Chains)
  Collectible-driven quests initiated by finding a specific weapon or journal entry. Following a series of clues, often involving environmental puzzles or tracking, leads to a powerful unique weapon, blueprint, or other significant reward. These often tell a small self-contained story.
• Apex Variant Hunts / Named Zombie Bounties
  Specific side quests or challenges that task the Slayer with hunting down and eliminating particularly strong or unique Apex Infected (e.g., a specific Crusher or Screamer variant). Rewards often include high-quality loot or Skill Cards.
• Clearing Infested Areas / Unlocking Safe Houses
  Securing specific locations by eliminating all zombies and sometimes a mini-boss. This often unlocks new safe houses with workbenches, traders, or fast travel points within a district.
• Challenges (Combat, Exploration, Survival)
  An in-game system tracking various gameplay feats (e.g., kill X zombies with a specific weapon type, dismember X limbs, complete X quests). Completing challenges often rewards XP, money, or contributes to unlocking passive stat boosts or cosmetic items.
• DLC Story Quests (e.g., Haus, SoLA)
  Self-contained narrative campaigns included in the Expansion Pass. 'Haus' involves investigating a mysterious techno-death cult in a Malibu villa. 'SoLA' takes players to a zombie-infested Californian music festival. These add new locations, enemies, weapons, and storylines.

The base game of Resident Evil Village is single-player only. 'The Mercenaries' is an arcade-style, single-player score attack mode. The multiplayer game 'Resident Evil RE:Verse' was intended to launch alongside Village as a free pack-in but was delayed and released later as a separate entity.

Features a drop-in/drop-out online cooperative mode for up to 3 players. Players can team up to play through the main story campaign and side quests together. Loot and progression are handled on an individual basis for most items, while quest progression is tied to the host. There are no competitive multiplayer modes.

Available in Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition (Trauma Pack with 'Samurai Edge' weapon, Mr. Everywhere weapon charm, found footage filter, save room music, additional difficulty mode 'Village of Shadows'), Collector's Edition (Deluxe content + Chris Redfield statue, SteelBook, artbook, cloth map, Trauma Pack). A 'Gold Edition' was released later, bundling the base game with the 'Winters' Expansion' (Shadows of Rose DLC, Third-Person Mode for main campaign, The Mercenaries Additional Orders).

Available in Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition (Golden Weapons Pack, Character Pack 1 & 2 - unique costumes/weapons), Gold Edition (Deluxe content + Expansion Pass for two major post-launch story expansions), and HELL-A Edition (physical collector's edition with Gold Edition content, SteelBook, Venice Beach travel map, character pins, patches, weapon pack).

The 'Winters' Expansion' was the major post-launch DLC. It includes: 'Shadows of Rose' (a new story chapter playing as a teenage Rose Winters with unique powers), Third-Person Mode for the main campaign, and 'The Mercenaries Additional Orders' (new characters like Chris, Heisenberg, Lady Dimitrescu, and stages for the arcade mode).

An Expansion Pass is available, promising two major post-launch story expansions: 'Haus' (released October 2023, set in a Malibu techno-death cult billionaire's villa) and 'SoLA' (released April 2024, set during a Californian music festival). Various cosmetic packs and weapon packs have also been released.

• Q: Is Resident Evil Village a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard?
  A: Yes, Resident Evil Village directly continues the story of Ethan Winters and his wife Mia, set a few years after the events of Resident Evil 7.
• Q: Do I need to play Resident Evil 7 before Village?
  A: It is highly recommended. Village heavily references characters, events, and themes from RE7. While there's a brief recap, playing RE7 first provides crucial context for Ethan's motivations and the overarching story.
• Q: Is Resident Evil Village in first-person or third-person?
  A: The main campaign of Resident Evil Village is played in first-person. However, the 'Winters' Expansion' DLC added an optional Third-Person Mode for the main story, allowing players to experience it from an over-the-shoulder perspective.
• Q: Who are the Four Lords?
  A: The Four Lords are a group of mutated individuals who rule different territories surrounding the village, all serving Mother Miranda. They are Lady Alcina Dimitrescu (vampiric mistress of a castle), Karl Heisenberg (engineer with magnetic powers and a factory), Donna Beneviento (reclusive doll maker controlling hallucinations), and Salvatore Moreau (grotesque fish-like creature controlling a reservoir).
• Q: What is The Mercenaries mode?
  A: The Mercenaries is an arcade-style, score-based bonus mode unlocked after completing the main story. Players choose a character and must defeat waves of enemies across various stages within a time limit, chaining combos and utilizing character-specific abilities to achieve high scores and unlock rewards. The 'Additional Orders' DLC added more characters and stages.
• Q: What is 'Shadows of Rose'?
  A: 'Shadows of Rose' is a story DLC included in the 'Winters' Expansion'. It is set 16 years after the main game and follows a teenage Rosemary Winters as she delves into the consciousness of the Megamycete to find a way to remove her unwanted powers. It is played in third-person.

• Q: Is Dead Island 2 a direct sequel to the previous Dead Island games?
  A: Yes, Dead Island 2 is set in the same universe, approximately 10 years after the events of Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide. It features a new outbreak in a new location (Los Angeles) and new playable characters, but a few characters from the original games, like Sam B, make a return.
• Q: How many playable characters are there, and are they different?
  A: There are six playable Slayers: Amy, Bruno, Carla, Dani, Jacob, and Ryan. Each Slayer has two unique innate skills from the start, influencing their preferred playstyle (e.g., agility, heavy attacks, defense, critical hits). They also have unique voice lines and personalities, but the main story progression is the same for all.
• Q: What is the FLESH system?
  A: FLESH (Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids) is Dead Island 2's proprietary procedural dismemberment technology. It allows for incredibly detailed and realistic gore, where zombies can be dismembered layer by layer (skin, muscle, bone) depending on where and how they are hit with different weapons.
• Q: Is Dead Island 2 an open-world game?
  A: Dead Island 2 features a semi-open world structure. Los Angeles is divided into several large, distinct districts (e.g., Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach) that players explore. These zones are self-contained and connected by loading screens, rather than one single seamless map.
• Q: How does co-op multiplayer work?
  A: Players can team up with up to two other friends (for a total of 3 players) in online co-op to play through the entire main story and most side content. Players can choose any of the Slayers. Progress is generally tied to the host, but individual players retain their character progression and loot.
• Q: Are there firearms in Dead Island 2?
  A: Yes, while melee combat is heavily emphasized, Dead Island 2 does feature a variety of firearms, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns. However, ammunition is generally more limited than melee weapon durability, encouraging a mix of combat styles.

Powered by Capcom's RE Engine, Resident Evil Village boasts stunning visuals with highly detailed environments, lifelike character models (especially the Four Lords), and advanced lighting and shadow effects. The game features distinct visual styles for each lord's domain, from the gothic opulence of Castle Dimitrescu to the grotesque organic horror of Moreau's Reservoir. Ray tracing options (Global Illumination, Reflections) are available on PC and current-gen consoles, significantly enhancing visual fidelity.

Developed on Unreal Engine 4, Dead Island 2 showcases a vibrant and gore-filled depiction of Los Angeles. It features detailed environments, realistic character models, and the proprietary 'FLESH' system, which allows for highly detailed and procedural dismemberment of zombies. The game balances sunny California aesthetics with gruesome horror elements.

Original score composed by Shusaku Uchiyama, Nao Sato, and Marcin Przybyłowicz, featuring a blend of orchestral horror themes, tense ambient tracks, and folk-inspired melodies reflecting the Eastern European setting. Sound design is crucial for horror atmosfére, with distinct enemy vocalizations (Lycans' howls, Dimitrescu's pursuit), environmental creaks, and impactful weapon sounds. The game uses binaural audio for enhanced spatial awareness.

Features a dynamic soundtrack that blends intense action cues with atmospheric horror themes, often with a pulpy, B-movie vibe. Licensed tracks sometimes feature. Sound design emphasizes visceral gore effects (FLESH system), distinct zombie vocalizations, impactful weapon sounds, and the ambient sounds of a ruined Los Angeles.

Features a first-person HUD displaying health (electrocardiogram style), ammo count, and equipped item. Inventory management is grid-based, similar to Resident Evil 4, accessible in real-time (though the game often pauses when accessing the full inventory screen). A map helps with navigation, marking key items, save points (typewriters), and locked doors. Crafting is done via a dedicated menu.

First-person HUD displaying health, stamina, Fury mode meter, equipped weapon/curveball, and objective markers. A compass aids navigation. Inventory, skill cards, crafting, and quest logs are accessed via menus. Weapon wheel for quick selection. Health and status effects are also indicated by screen effects.

Offers a range of accessibility options, including customizable controls (PC), extensive subtitle and caption customization, options for aim assist, display adjustments for brightness and contrast, options to reduce camera wobble, and various audio settings. A third-person mode was added in the Winters' Expansion, which can also be an accessibility aid for some players.

Offers a range of accessibility options, including customizable controls (PC), subtitle and caption customization (size, background, speaker names), options for aim assist, options to change QTEs to holds, colorblind modes, options to reduce camera motion/head bob, and various audio/visual cues.

• Official PC system requirements from Capcom. Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially with many enemies or detailed environments), and background applications. An SSD is recommended for optimal performance. Ray tracing features are demanding.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and excellent cooling. **Resident Evil Village can be demanding, particularly with ray tracing enabled or at higher resolutions.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates, especially with RT.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for AI and physics.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FSR 1.0. Later versions of FSR or other upscalers like DLSS might be available via official patches or mods, especially with the Winters' Expansion.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing (Global Illumination, Reflections), Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, Volumetric Lighting, Ambient Occlusion, and Screen Space Reflections heavily impact performance. The game offers FidelityFX CAS for sharpening.
• Game Name: Resident Evil Village

• Official PC system requirements from Dambuster Studios/Deep Silver. Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially with large zombie hordes or detailed environments), and background applications. An SSD is strongly recommended.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and good cooling. **Dead Island 2 can be demanding, particularly at higher settings due to its detailed dismemberment system and environmental effects.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance during intense zombie encounters.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for managing numerous AI zombies and physics.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FSR 2. DLSS support may vary or require specific game versions/patches/mods.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, View Distance, Effects Quality, Foliage Detail, Anti-Aliasing, and Post Processing Quality heavily impact performance. The FLESH dismemberment system is also a performance factor.
• Game Name: Dead Island 2

• Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FSR 1.0. Later versions of FSR or other upscalers like DLSS might be available via official patches or mods, especially with the Winters' Expansion.
• Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing (Global Illumination, Reflections), Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, Volumetric Lighting, Ambient Occlusion, and Screen Space Reflections heavily impact performance. The game offers FidelityFX CAS for sharpening.

• Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FSR 2. DLSS support may vary or require specific game versions/patches/mods.
• Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, View Distance, Effects Quality, Foliage Detail, Anti-Aliasing, and Post Processing Quality heavily impact performance. The FLESH dismemberment system is also a performance factor.

• G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates, especially with RT.
• Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
• C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for AI and physics.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.

• G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates.
• Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance during intense zombie encounters.
• C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for managing numerous AI zombies and physics.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.