The New Dying Light Is Not a Shooter, Even Though It Looks Like One

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Techland has once again managed to impress me with their latest offering – “The Beast” DLC for Dying Light 2. Having played both the original and its sequel, I can confidently say that this expansion feels more like a standalone game than an add-on.


It seems there was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming DLC for “Dying Light”. Contrary to earlier assumptions that it would be for “Dying Light 2”, it appears that “Dying Light” itself will receive this significant expansion. Initially, what was thought to be an addition, has evolved into a fully-fledged product, offering approximately 18 hours of gameplay. At the gamescom event, I had the chance to peek into Techland’s secretive booth, reminiscent of the protagonist’s hideout in the game, and catch a glimpse of “The Beast”, as the new DLC is named.

Beast from Castor Woods

In this additional content, we find ourselves once again with the character Kyle Crane, who harbors a real monster within him. This beastly nature was born from his thirteen-year ordeal at the hands of a cruel baron, where he endured torturous scientific tests.

In the latest update, we’re thrilled to have Kyle back on board, along with the incredibly talented Roger Craig Smith who brings his deep, somber voice to the role (and it seems he’s had more than a decade to add even more depth to that voice). It’s no secret that Kyle harbors some resentment from his past and is determined to track down those who have recently wronged him. The narrative and tension in this brief piece were skillfully portrayed, leading me to anticipate a compelling story of vengeance and animosity.

The New Dying Light Is Not a Shooter, Even Though It Looks Like One

The event was held inside a room resembling the setting of “Dying Light,” as depicted in the photos (see provided images), and all attendees were required to wear headphones. Interestingly, Gamescom, despite its appearance, is not an ideal location for immersing oneself in games. The commotion there is akin to having fifteen elementary schools release their students for recess, all happening just ten meters away from you.

Despite sounding unusual, it’s true that you need a microphone and headphones to clearly hear someone who is 2 meters away from you. This fact makes us value Techland even more, since they are one of the rare entities that have distanced themselves slightly from the ongoing chaos and din. However, this general uproar did not interfere with my positive impression of the add-on, which I must admit, was quite impressive.

Two years may not seem significant given that Dying Light 2 appears anything but dated in terms of graphics. On the expansive screen, the visuals were impressive, with the lighting effects particularly standing out, even in the original game when ray tracing was enabled, sparking an indescribable enthusiasm. In Dying Light, light plays a crucial role due to its impact on the day-night cycle within the gameplay. While the breathtaking sunset and the “golden hour” can compel us to pause and appreciate the scenery, it’s essential to remember that as the final ray disappears, the zombies will emerge to feed.

Kyle eventually lands in a fresh, scenic locale known as Castor Woods, which used to be a quaint tourist town teeming with forests and parks rather than a bustling city. The architecture of this place left an impression on me, and I couldn’t help but notice the ample room between buildings for vehicles to navigate. Indeed, we’ll need to drive here, much like in the DLC for the initial game called “The Following“, as the latest installment, “The Beast“, also incorporates vehicles.

In this part of the game, we can find ourselves behind the wheel of a pickup truck, fitting for an American apocalypse scenario. Remarkably, the driving mechanics felt enjoyable and straightforward, even with the animated corpses rebounding off the hood adding a unique touch. It was mentioned during the presentation that the team member handling the driving model at Techland has 20 years of experience in this field, having previously worked on… Xpand Rally, a fact that makes finding someone more skilled a challenge, given Techland’s history in creating such games.

Small town shootout

When you browse through the online gameplays, it’s the frequent appearance of firearms that might grab your attention. In fact, Dying Light The Beast will boast significantly more of them compared to DL2. From pistols, shotguns, all the way to automatic rifles, Kyle is well-equipped for combat. Yet, the creators emphasize that their aim is not to transform Dying Light into a shooter – melee weapons remain the heart of the game, as they are effective. However, firearms will offer a thrilling, potent, and visually stunning alternative to smashing decayed skulls with a 2×4.

The New Dying Light Is Not a Shooter, Even Though It Looks Like One

An extra allure to Kyle is his unique abilities – unlike the character from the second game, Kyle possesses the ability to peer through walls, and when faced with significant difficulties, he can transform into a formidable beast. This proves beneficial in battles with bosses (as demonstrated by the demo’s colossal Hulk-like adversary), as it allows for more effective attacks than merely scratching the monster’s belly, legs, or back with a pocket knife. Instead, we can effortlessly lift and hurl a heavy concrete block at the enemy.

As a dedicated fan who’s already invested in Dying Light 2 Stay Human Ultimate Edition, it feels like an extra treat to delve into Dying Light The Beast. It’s almost as if Techland crafted this game specifically for us, acknowledging our support by making The Beast available at no additional cost.

To sum up, the game developer provided an intriguing response to the query regarding why The Best is coming out on older generation consoles as well. He stated that they decided to release it for this reason alone: many players of old consoles had already purchased Dying Light 2. If they didn’t cater to these gamers, they would feel neglected. I don’t mind this approach, particularly since The Beast looks absolutely stunning and there are no sacrifices in quality here.

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2024-08-26 13:16