One of My All-Time Favorite Action Games is Free This Week

Alright, let’s dive into this. So, picture me sitting here, sipping my third cup of coffee — not that there’s anything wrong with that, right? Anyway, if you’re into games — action-packed, zombie-whacking games to be precise — I’ve got a scoop for you. Dead Island 2, which is like the next-gen cousin of that 2011 island adventure and its slightly crazier 2013 sequel, is totally free right now. Seriously, zero dollars! But here’s the kicker: it’s only on the Epic Games Store for PC.

This little freebie comes courtesy of Epic’s weekly “here, take our games” program. It’s running until May… uh, 22nd, 2025? Yeah, that’s like next week, 8 a.m. PT or 11 a.m. ET, depending on your coast of choice. You just click a few buttons, sprinkle some digital fairy dust, and bam, it’s in your library. I know, I know, not everyone is glued to a computer — hey, me neither on weekends — but come on, who says no to free stuff?

I had a moment with Dead Island 2 back in April 2023. Four and a half stars, said my review. Yeah, I was pretty much smitten. Zombies, chaos, action — all wrapped up nicely. You get to bash through the undead world solo or rope in some pals for co-op, which is kind of like having a virtual zombie survival team! Sweet, right?

You see that picture of Dead Island 2? With all the gore? It’s nuts! Deep Silver wasn’t pulling any punches here (literally).

So, you wake up in LA, but not like the Hollywood glam version. No, it’s all quarantined and zombie-infested. Picture this: you’re running around whacking zombies with pretty much anything you can find. Physics-driven melee, they call it — fancy stuff. Oh, and those zombies are like snowflakes, each one’s different, some more bitey than others. So you pick your character — my fave is the sneaky-sneak — and off you go.

What’s cool? As you get into it, you collect these skill cards (think playing cards but with more evisceration) that spice up your game. Plus, the weapons! It’s like a DIY carnival of destruction. Sledgehammers, claymores, and some electric jazz, all there for the taking.

Now think of Dead Island 2 as a playground, maybe swap the swings for gore — if that makes sense? The animations are top-notch, and there’s this thing called F.L.E.S.H. It’s all about making the dismemberment system super realistic, which might sound gross, but trust me, it’s kind of amazing in-game.

Before I forget — Xbox, Steam, PlayStation peeps, don’t pout. Microsoft’s got you covered via Xbox Game Pass, so there’s that. Plus, online discounters are making it rain deals, so you can still snag it without forking over the full $49.99. Gotta save those pennies for other important stuff, like more coffee.

And there you have it. A whirlwind of gaming joy, just waiting for you to jump in. Or not, your call. No pressure.

Catch you on the flip side!