WEB DESK: It has been a few years since players last set foot in the zombie-ridden world of Dying Light 2: Stay Human. That sequel delivered plenty of thrills but also left some fans frustrated with bloated open-world systems and endless faction politics.
Now, Techland is back with Dying Light: The Beast, a new entry in the series that takes a step back toward the grounded chaos of the original 2015 hit.
Released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Series S, the game costs $59.99 and has already stirred debate among fans. On one hand, it offers the same bloody, first-person parkour combat that made the franchise a standout. On the other, it leans heavily on familiar mechanics and suffers from repetitive design choices that may feel too safe for players expecting innovation.
A familiar face, a new prison
The story once again puts Kyle Crane in the spotlight. After surviving the horrors of Harran, Crane now finds himself at the mercy of a villain known only as the Baron. Subjected to cruel experiments, his zombie hybrid DNA becomes both a curse and a weapon. Escaping captivity, Crane awakens in Castor Woods, a scenic but dangerous location near the Swiss Alps.
The setting is striking. From forested countryside to small villages and abandoned tourist spots, Castor Woods is rich with atmosphere and crawling with the undead. Techland has clearly poured effort into creating a detailed world. Yet the design often undercuts the promise of thrilling exploration.
The open world frequently boils down to busywork: flipping switches, carrying out fetch quests, or trudging across long stretches of land to unlock yet another tower.
Combat: messy, brutal, and satisfying
If there is one thing The Beast does well, it is combat. The melee system remains gory and over the top, with players able to smash zombies using shovels, pipes, knives, or hammers. Firearms exist, but melee fighting is the heart of the experience. When Crane transforms into the titular beast, the violence turns up several notches, letting him rip through hordes with raw strength.
This all feeds into the RPG backbone of the series. Gaining XP, levelling up skills, and looting gear are as central as ever. Weapons can be customised, repaired, or broken down for parts. Rare loot with special effects brings a hint of Borderlands-style progression, keeping players hunting for the next upgrade.
Co-op remains the highlight
While the single-player campaign works, Dying Light has always shined brightest in multiplayer. The Beast allows up to four players to drop in and out with little friction. A distress call system lets stranded players request backup, leading to chaotic and often hilarious team-ups. The only major drawback is the lack of crossplay, meaning PC players cannot join their console friends.
Despite some issues, the cooperative experience carries the game. Boss fights feel more manageable, exploration is livelier, and surviving the night becomes a thrilling group effort.
Parkour takes a step back
The original Dying Light set itself apart with fluid parkour. Sprinting, climbing, and leaping across rooftops made the city feel alive. The Beast, however, reduces much of that vertical movement. Instead, players often find themselves travelling across flat landscapes or resorting to vehicles for long journeys. A grappling hook helps later in the game, but the absence of paragliders and fewer rooftop chases make traversal less exciting.
The day-night cycle still adds tension. Nighttime turns ordinary zombies into ferocious predators, and the dreaded Volatiles stalk the streets. Unlike in Stay Human, where night runs were exhilarating, many players may prefer waiting until daylight in The Beast.
Performance and polish
One area where Techland deserves praise is optimisation. Stay Human suffered from serious performance issues at launch, but The Beast is impressively stable. On a high-end Razer Blade 18 laptop with the latest Intel and Nvidia hardware, the game ran smoothly at 60 frames per second on high settings. Even during chaotic scenes filled with zombies, performance held steady.
The system requirements are demanding, especially on the CPU side, but modern gaming rigs should handle it well. Techland has also confirmed that a PlayStation 4 and Xbox One version is on the way later this year.
A safe but entertaining return
With around 20 hours of core gameplay and another 20 to 30 hours of optional content, Dying Light: The Beast offers plenty to do. Yet the experience feels oddly restrained. For returning fans, it is a nostalgic ride filled with gore, humour, and frantic co-op action. For newcomers, it may feel too much like games that came before it.
The series has never looked better, but this return to basics sometimes feels like a retreat rather than progress. Techland has delivered a fun, polished experience, but it is hard to shake the feeling that the franchise is capable of much more.
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