The Beast Heading Away from DL2 is an Encouraging Indicator

In the lead-up to the 2022 release of Dying Light 2: Stay Human, Techland teased fans by promising two game expansions before 2027. The first of these, Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties, made its appearance toward the end of 2022, quickly following the main game’s release. But the details on the second expansion were elusive—Techland only mentioned it in passing during interviews, remaining largely silent until now.

Fast forward to Gamescom 2024, and Techland surprised the gaming world by announcing Dying Light: The Beast, a fresh addition to the franchise. Initially intended to be the second expansion for Dying Light 2, it expanded so much during development that the creators decided to make it a standalone game. This new installment welcomes back Kyle Crane, the protagonist from the first game, and shifts the action to an exciting new setting, Castor Woods. The initial insights suggest that Dying Light: The Beast is taking a bold new direction away from Dying Light 2’s path, which could bode well for the series’ evolution.

Now, speaking of scary vibes, Dying Light: The Beast appears to lean heavily into the horror genre, much more than Dying Light 2 ever did. Techland received mixed reviews when Dying Light 2 came out, with fans pointing out it wasn’t as spine-chilling as the original game or its 2016 expansion, Dying Light: The Following. Critics and players alike noted that Dying Light 2 felt more like an action RPG sprinkled with horror elements, largely due to the altered day/night cycle.

Back in the original Dying Light, nights were truly terrifying. Darkness brought out the worst in zombies, making them more lethal in Harran. Special enemies known as Volatiles emerged after sunset, turning the city into a playground of terror. These formidable creatures were not to be underestimated, and the smart move was to flee to safety.

Dying Light 2’s initial version, however, toned down nighttime dread considerably. Volatiles were scarce, and instead of hiding, players were encouraged to explore and scavenge. Although a post-launch update ramped up the Volatile count, it still wasn’t quite the fear-inducing experience the first game delivered.

Thankfully, Techland seems to be taking these critiques to heart. According to franchise director Tymon Smektala, Dying Light: The Beast is steering the series back to its horror roots. In a chat with Game Rant, Smektala mentioned the new game would embrace the survival horror vibe more intensely, thanks to its eerie environments consisting of shadowy forests and murky swamps. Players can expect an atmosphere that ramps up the tension and keeps them on their toes, wary of the dangers lurking in the dark.

Nighttime in Dying Light: The Beast seems reminiscent of the haunting setting from the original game, which is great news for fans of the series’ scarier side. Although Dying Light 2: Stay Human had its merits, future entries should recapture the unnerving survival horror essence that initially captivated audiences, rather than veering too far into action RPG territory and potentially alienating long-time followers.