A Positive Sign as The Beast Moves Away from DL2

Back in early 2022, just before the launch of Dying Light 2: Stay Human, Techland shared that they were planning to roll out two expansions for the game by 2027. The first one, Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties, dropped towards the end of that year, a swift follow-up to the game’s debut. However, the second expansion remained an enigma for quite a while. Techland gave it a nod occasionally during interviews, but mostly kept mum about it until now.

At Gamescom 2024, Techland took the stage to reveal Dying Light: The Beast, an exciting new addition to the franchise. Originally slated to be Dying Light 2’s second expansion, it expanded so dramatically in scope that Techland decided to spin it off into its own standalone experience. This fresh entry is set to bring back Kyle Crane, the protagonist from the first game, and transport players to a new locale, Castor Woods. If what we’ve seen so far is any indication, the game seems to be steering in a direction quite different from Dying Light 2, and honestly, this shift looks promising for the franchise’s trajectory.

Moving on, it’s worth noting how the scare factor of Dying Light 2 paled in comparison to the first game, largely due to changes in the day/night cycle. While Dying Light 2 garnered its share of praise, it was also a game that sparked debate among players. A significant chunk of the criticism centered around its reduced horror elements, particularly when juxtaposed with the intense atmosphere of the original and its 2016 expansion, Dying Light: The Following. The sequel leaned more into being an action RPG, and this was especially evident in the lessened fear factor during its nighttime sequences.

In the original Dying Light, nights were a time of genuine dread for players. As the sun dipped below the horizon, zombies prowling Harran’s streets became more aggressive and deadly. Nighttime brought its own brand of terror with the introduction of Volatiles—specially mutated zombies that posed a relentless threat, capable of hunting players down mercilessly if spotted. Fleeing to a safe haven was often the smartest course of action to avoid these lethal encounters.

Dying Light 2, at launch, offered a drastically tamer night experience. The number of Volatiles was notably reduced, encouraging players to explore indoors for resources instead of hiding in fear. Despite Techland’s efforts to patch the game post-release and ramp up the Volatile count, it never quite rekindled the level of fear its predecessor evoked.

Thankfully, it seems Techland has been attentive to the feedback concerning Dying Light 2. According to Tymon Smektala, Dying Light franchise director, the upcoming Dying Light: The Beast is poised to take the series back to its horror roots. In a conversation with Game Rant, Smektala mentioned that this installment will intensify the survival horror feel, set against the backdrop of foreboding forests and swamps. He hinted at a game where players will find themselves hesitating to proceed into the enveloping darkness, thanks to an atmosphere thick with tension and limited visibility.

By all accounts, the night cycle in Dying Light: The Beast seems to be mirroring that of the original game. This is heartening news for fans, suggesting that future installments may embrace the franchise’s horror origins rather than diluting them with RPG elements. While Dying Light 2: Stay Human stands as a respectable title, many hope that the series will continue to cater to those who relish its survival horror essence, preserving the thrill that captivated its audience from the start.