What is the best game similar to Dead Island?

The closest game to Dead Island is Dead Island 2, scoring 99/100 on our similarity scale. They share 13 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Dead Island?

The three closest games to Dead Island are: 1. Dead Island 2 (99/100, 13 shared attributes) 2. Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition (97/100, 10 shared attributes) 3. Grounded (93/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Dead Island's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 13 dimensions.

Is Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition similar to Dead Island?

Yes, very much so — Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition scores 97/100 similarity to Dead Island. They share 10 attributes, including deep RPG systems and action RPG combat. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RPG games are similar to Dead Island?

The best RPG games similar to Dead Island are Dead Island 2, Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition, Grounded and Chernobylite. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Dead Island attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter.

How is similarity to Dead Island calculated?

We compare Dead Island against every game in our catalog using 13 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Dead Island experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

Are there free games similar to Dead Island?

Yes — Path of Exile is free and scores well on similarity to Dead Island. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.

50 Games like Dead Island that you should try

Games like Dead Island · Find similar →

More about this game →

Few titles capture what makes Dead Island unique: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting. After measuring 13 attributes across over 6,700 games, these are the 50 most faithful alternatives. Dead Island 2, Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition and Grounded top the ranking, with Dead Island 2 at number one (99/100).

iRank71/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

Top games similar to Dead Island

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Dead Island. Each one has been evaluated across 13 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Dead Island 2

iRank76

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

Co-opSoloMultiplayerDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticSkill TreeFirst Person

Steam👍 77%· 26KIGDB74· 6OC75· 159

Year 2023Dev Deep Silver Dambuster Studios · Deep SilverOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of first-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and open world exploration

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#2Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition

iRank75

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

Co-opMultiplayerSoloDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticFirst Person

Steam👍 79%· 213KRAWG👍 65%· 444MC77IGDB77· 11OC76· 184

Year 2022Dev Techland · Techland PublishingPlaytime ~23hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

MultiplayerSoloCo-opHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 90%· 94KIGDB78· 5OC82· 58

Year 2022Dev Obsidian Entertainment · Xbox Game StudiosOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of first-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, survival mechanics and horror setting

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and sandbox freedom, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticFirst Person

Steam👍 82%· 15KIGDB76· 3OC76· 104

Year 2021Dev The Farm 51 · All In! GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of first-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, survival mechanics and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, adventure storytelling and deep simulation, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#5Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

iRank74

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

Co-opSoloMultiplayerDarkHorrorSkill TreeFirst Person

Steam👍 71%· 132KIGDB78· 5OC75· 80

Year 2022Dev FatsharkOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus, while skipping survival mechanics

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

MultiplayerCo-opSoloDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticSkill TreeFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 129KIGDB81· 13OC78· 62

Year 2016Dev Tripwire Interactive · Iceberg InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, strong narrative focus and melee combat

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#7Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide

iRank79

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

Co-opSoloMultiplayerDarkPost-ApocalypticHorrorSkill TreeFirst Person

Steam👍 80%· 21KIGDB80· 8OC77· 45

Year 2015Dev FatsharkOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of first-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, horror tension and strong narrative focus

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

Co-opMultiplayerSoloDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticFirst Person

Steam👍 95%· 486KRAWG👍 84%· 1.4KMC74IGDB72· 17OC74· 117

Year 2015Dev Techland · Warner Bros. InteractivePlaytime ~22hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus, while skipping skill tree progression

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#9Dead Island: Riptide

iRank64

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerDarkHorrorSkill TreeFirst Person

IGDB64· 11

Year 2013Dev Techland · Deep SilverOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Same family of first-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings open world exploration, melee combat and exploration and discovery, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

Details →

#10Dark and Darker

iRank65

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opFirst PersonPvP

Steam👍 65%· 83K

Year 2023Dev IRONMACEOn PC

✓ Fits the first-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, shooter and first-person shooting

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, combat tactical and stealth mechanics, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticSkill TreeFirst Person

Steam👍 57%· 2.3KIGDB70· 2

Year 2007Dev Flagship Studios · HanbitSoftOn PC

✓ Fits the first-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings third-person shooting, strong narrative focus and procedural generation, while skipping co op

Details →

Steam

#12Arena Breakout: Infinite

iRank74

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

MultiplayerCo-opFirst PersonOnlinePvP

Steam👍 74%· 55K

Year 2025Dev Morefun Studio GroupOn PC

✓ Fits the first-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, shooter and first-person shooting

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, combat tactical and online features, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam Epic

#13The Ship: Murder Party

iRank72

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

MultiplayerSoloFirst PersonMeleeStealth

Steam👍 86%· 6.0KRAWG👍 41%· 179MC76IGDB80· 2

Year 2006Dev Outerlight · Blazing GriffinPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, shooter and first-person shooting

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, melee combat and stealth mechanics, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam

#14Arx Fatalis

iRank82

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

SoloDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 2.5KRAWG👍 79%· 171MC77IGDB78· 2

Year 2002Dev Arkane Studios · Bethesda SoftworksPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreFirst-Person ARPG

MultiplayerCo-opFirst PersonOnlineOpen World

Steam👍 73%· 99K

Year 2022Dev EXBOOn PC

✓ Both are first-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, shooter and first-person shooting

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, open world exploration and setting scifi, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam Epic

Complete list of Dead Island alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Dead Island, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

MORDHAU

RPG · Action RPG

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

RPG · Adventure

The Outer Worlds

RPG · Action RPG

Bright Memory: Infinite

RPG · Action RPG

RoboCop: Rogue City

RPG · Action RPG

The Elder Scrolls: Arena

RPG · Sandbox

Atomic Heart

RPG · Action RPG

Elite Dangerous

RPG · Simulation

ULTRAKILL

RPG · Action RPG

Cyberpunk 2077

RPG · Action RPG

Avowed

RPG · Action RPG

Fallout: New Vegas

RPG · Action RPG

Grim Dawn

RPG · Action RPG

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

RPG · Action RPG

Fallout 3

RPG · Action RPG

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

RPG · Metroidvania

Diablo II: Resurrected

RPG · Action RPG

As Dusk Falls

RPG · Adventure

Fallout 4

RPG · Action RPG

The Elder Scrolls: Blades

RPG · Adventure

Dead Rising 3

RPG · Adventure

How to Survive

RPG · Action RPG

Diablo IV

RPG · Action RPG

Might & Magic X - Legacy

RPG · Turn-Based Strat

Legend of Grimrock

RPG · Adventure

Path of Exile

RPG · Action RPG

State of Decay 2

RPG · Survival

Dead Rising 2

RPG · Action RPG

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

RPG · Action RPG

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

RPG · Action RPG

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse

RPG · Action RPG

Titan Quest

RPG · Action RPG

Starfield

RPG · Action RPG

Dead Rising 4

RPG · Action RPG

Dead Rising 2: Off the Record

RPG · Action RPG

Explore games similar to Dead Island by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best First-Person Action RPGs Best Action RPGs Best RPG Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Dead Island?: The closest game to Dead Island is Dead Island 2, scoring 99/100 on our similarity scale. They share 13 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Dead Island?: The three closest games to Dead Island are: 1. Dead Island 2 (99/100, 13 shared attributes) 2. Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition (97/100, 10 shared attributes) 3. Grounded (93/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Dead Island's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 13 dimensions.
Is Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition similar to Dead Island?: Yes, very much so — Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition scores 97/100 similarity to Dead Island. They share 10 attributes, including deep RPG systems and action RPG combat. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to Dead Island?: The best RPG games similar to Dead Island are Dead Island 2, Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition, Grounded and Chernobylite. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Dead Island attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter.
How is similarity to Dead Island calculated?: We compare Dead Island against every game in our catalog using 13 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Dead Island experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Dead Island?: Yes — Path of Exile is free and scores well on similarity to Dead Island. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.