After years of waiting for the sequel, Techland is finally delivering the next chapter in the series, Dying Light: The Beast, tomorrow on September 18. The game aims to push the beloved zombie franchise to new heights as it continues the story of Kyle Crane.
At its core, the story is about revenge for Crane’s 13 years of imprisonment and experiments by the ruthless Baron. Even though he’s free, his body, mind, and even his humanity bear the marks of those experiments. This has made the game no more about how he survives, but what kind of survivor he’ll become.
1. The Story of Dying Light: The Beast
Dying Light: The Beast continues the story of Kyle Crane and takes place right after the event in Dying Light 2 Stay Human (Crane had a presence with a few mentions, but wasn’t the main character).
In the Beast, Crane escapes from the clutches of the Baron (with the help of a new character named Olivia). At first, his mission will be simple and clear: revenge and answers.
But as Crane goes on his journey, it becomes clear that the Baron’s ambitions go far beyond anything he had thought. Baron is plotting something far more sinister that threatens what remains of humanity, forcing Crane to realise once again that he cannot fight alone.
Similar to his arc from the first game, he’ll form alliances, build a resistance, and become a reluctant leader once more. It’s clear that the game will be a continuation of the franchise timeline, filling in part of the mystery surrounding Crane’s fate after The Following.
2. Meet the Villain: The Baron
At the center of this chapter in the franchise is the Baron, the ruthless man responsible for holding Kyle for 13 years and experimenting on him. He is far from a mindless zombie running around trying to kill you.
The Baron is very calculated, methodical, and driven by an agenda that goes beyond cruelty. His experiments aren’t just to inflict pain on Crane or others; they’ve fundamentally reshaped Crane into something inhuman, making the villain not only a personal enemy but also a looming threat to the world.
3. More Than Just Zombies
Yes, the infected remain a terrifying presence in the game and can be found in hordes and in unexpected places, but this time, they are not the only enemy. Humans will also play an equally dangerous role.
And unlike the mindless infected, these armed enemies use advanced cover mechanics (built for them), flank with tactical strategies, and force players into intense shootouts or stealth approaches.
This forces players into a mix of brutal melee encounters and tense human battles, making survival even more unpredictable. At any point, a single encounter can shift from fighting the undead to outsmarting cunning human foes who will shoot you.
4. Kyle Crane’s Duality
Perhaps the most intriguing hook of Dying Light: The Beast is Kyle himself. From the dev notes and trailers, we know that this chapter in Crane’s saga will focus on his duality. Not his alliance but his personal struggle to keep the beast from unleashing.
On one side, he is the survivor who once fought for others in Harran. He is reminded that on the left side of his body, he still carries his old watch and Jade’s necklace.
On the other side, he is something more and something darker. His corrupted eye, his scarred body, and the Beast-like powers awakened in him will showcase a man caught between humanity and monstrosity. (This beast-like strength will be on full display when Crane fights Chimeras)
This duality will define his journey in the Castor Woods with players asking themselves: Is Crane still the reluctant hero we knew, or is he slowly becoming the very thing he’s fighting against?
5. Parkour as the Heart of Exploration
With Dying Light: The Beast, Techland aims to take the franchise’s core mechanics, parkour and combat, to a whole new level. With the help of improved physics, parkour is going to feel more grounded than ever, without stamina restrictions.
The game is introducing (via Techland) over 100 new animations and 17 unique edge-grabs. Additionally, Crane’s movement is going to evolve throughout the story: sluggish and drained at first, then increasingly powerful as the Beast within takes over.
Exploration in the Castor Woods is going to be wide open, but mastering movement is essential, especially when chases turn deadly and zombies flood the environment.
Are you ready to unleash the beast within when Dying Light: The Beast drops tomorrow? Comment below to let us know.
