In a twist that would make even the most cynical vampire from Vampire: The Masquerade raise an eyebrow, Kyle Crane, the hero of the original Dying Light, is returning for Dying Light: The Beast. Years of experimentation have made him a hybrid of man and monster, and he’s fighting his inner beast in very much the same manner a neonate vampire fights its thirst.
Set to release on August 22, 2025, this single-player adventure is set to take the franchise to new heights with a darker, horror-centric approach. Initially envisioned as an expansion for Dying Light 2, a story leak in 2023 caused Techland to develop a complete game, incorporating tried-and-tested mechanics with ambitious new concepts.
The Legacy of Dying Light
For those unfamiliar, Dying Light is a first-person zombie survival game famed for its parkour and brutal day-night cycle. The original, which debuted in 2015, had Kyle Crane traversing the zombie-filled city of Harran through the use of agility to stay alive.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human built upon that with a new city, Villedor, and more fleshed-out RPG mechanics. Yet, for some fans, it moved away from the focused storytelling of the original. The Beast returns Crane 13 years after the events of the first game’s expansion, The Following.
Having escaped captivity, Crane seeks revenge against the Baron, a shadowy villain who experimented with his DNA, granting him beast-like powers.
A New Playground for Dying Light: The Beast with Castor Woods
Shifting from urban sprawl, The Beast is set in Castor Woods, a rural valley inspired by the Swiss Alps. It features diverse biomes, tourist towns, industrial zones, national parks, farm fields, and swamps, blending beauty with decay.
Unlike the previous games, not every structure allows for traditional parkour, so Techland introduced off-road vehicles for traversal. Picture it: driving through zombie hordes in a 4×4, then hopping out to scale a cliff face with Crane’s athleticism. It’s this mix of vehicle and parkour mechanics that creates such a dynamic open world, with each biome introducing fresh challenges and secrets to uncover.
Unleashing the Beast
The pièce de résistance is Crane’s ability to switch between beast and human. Players utilize parkour and a mix of melee weapons and guns, a series first, while in human form.
In beast form, Crane becomes a force of nature as he can execute gruesome maneuvers like ripping zombies in half or slamming enemies into the ground. This change is based on a rage meter, which players must keep in check to prevent losing control, adding a strategic element.
As franchise director Tymon Smektala explained in an interview with GamingBolt, these abilities are the result of experiments, making combat “visceral and intense.”
Survival Horror Amplified
In addition, The Beast doubles down on survival horror, especially during nighttime. The series’ day-night cycle returns with a vengeance. Days allow for scavenging and exploring, but nights unleash terrifying infected, such as more hostile Volatiles.
IGN previews hint at dynamic weather effects, like heavy rain and wind, that impact gameplay by making surfaces slick or creating loud noises that attract zombies. This amped-up atmosphere aims to recapture the original’s tense survival experience, making players choose whether to run, hide, or fight when nighttime falls.
A Linear, Emotional Narrative
In contrast to Dying Light 2’s branching storylines, The Beast adopts a linear approach, one that is emotionally driven for Crane. This shift, Smektala explained, allows for a “focused, emotional exploration” of Crane’s coming to terms with his new identity. The narrative ties the lore of both games together, creating a cohesive canon story.
By narrowing the scope, Techland aims to deliver a more intimate narrative. They aim to potentially address fan grievances about Dying Light 2’s broad story.
The return of voice actor Roger Craig Smith brings gravitas to the older, traumatized Crane. And you can be sure the performance is sure to be compelling.
Co-op and Community Appeal of Dying Light: The Beast
On top of this, The Beast includes up to four-player co-op, a series staple. Through co-op play, players can team up to explore, fight, or rescue each other from the path of danger.
The game scales enemy difficulty to provide a challenging survival experience. This alone encourages cooperation.
Co-op also introduces a social aspect. This makes it ideal for friends to team up and survive the zombie apocalypse together. Pre-order incentives like the Hero of Harran pack and free access for Dying Light 2 Ultimate Edition owners sweeten the deal even more.
Fan Hopes and Fears
Despite the hype, some of the fans remain skeptical. One posting on the Dying Light Reddit community on X reflects mixed feelings. Some fans dislike Dying Light 2’s departure from the original formula. They hope The Beast recaptures the magic of the original game, its concise storyline, and suffocating atmosphere.
Previews suggest that Techland is listening, with improved graphics, weather effects, and a return to form in survival horror. The estimated 18-hour playthrough, including side quests, offers chunky content for single players and co-op.
Looking Ahead
As the release date approaches, Dying Light: The Beast is shaping up to be a strong follow-up to the franchise. Its blend of brutal combat, atmospheric horror, and a focused narrative could satisfy longtime fans while attracting newcomers. The rural setting, reinforced by next-gen visuals and dynamic weather, creates an immersive world.
The game offers a fresh yet familiar experience of zombie slaying. It doesn’t matter whether you’re eager to unleash Crane’s beastly powers or team up with friends to survive the night. With a strategy to optimize for PS5 Pro and later ports for older consoles, Techland aims to deliver a refined experience.
- Protagonist: Kyle Crane, now half-human, half-beast, seeking revenge after being held captive for 13 years.
- Setting: Castor Woods, a rural valley inspired by the Swiss Alps, featuring diverse biomes.
- Gameplay: Dual playstyles (human/beast), parkour, vehicle traversal, and enhanced combat with guns.
- Story: Linear story focused on Crane’s emotional state, contrary to Dying Light 2’s RPG elements.
- Day-Night Cycle: Scavenging days, infected terror nights, centered around survival horror.
- Co-op: Four-player co-op with shared progress, scaling difficulty for cooperation.
- Release: August 22, 2025, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X