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Techland has never shied away from putting its protagonist through hell, but with Dying Light: The Beast, Kyle Crane’s torment takes centre stage. Experimented on and forever changed, Crane is now part human, part zombie — blessed and cursed by the powers of the titular beast — and consumed by vengeance against the Baron, the figure behind his fate. It is a grim starting point, and one that sets the tone for the hands-on demo shown at Gamescom 2025.
A decade after the first game, Dying Light still feels reassuringly familiar. Surviving by day, dreading the dark, scavenging for weapons — these are the pillars that have made the series a fan favourite. Yet Techland hasn’t stood still. This time, the pain you inflict, the way you traverse, and the freedom you feel in motion have all been dialled up, ensuring old mechanics shine brighter alongside new tricks.
Brutality and Freedom in Equal Measure
Combat remains as grisly as ever. Weapons can be crafted, upgraded, and enhanced with elemental properties before being swung, stabbed, or smashed into both zombies and human foes. Durability keeps tension high; few things are as terrifying as a broken weapon in a swarm, but survival is never just about killing. Parkour once again emerges as the safety valve, and in The Beast, it feels more liberated than ever.
During my time in Castor Woods, rooftops, pipes, and walls offered multiple routes of movement. Timing and spatial awareness matter more than in past entries, making movement less automated and more rewarding. It is a freedom that demands practice, but it makes success feel exhilarating. Dying Light has always lived in the space between fluid traversal and desperate combat, and here that duality feels sharper.
Becoming the Beast
Combat gains a violent new dimension once Crane taps into his monstrous side. By eliminating enemies and filling a special meter, Crane can transform into a relentless predator, ripping heads and clawing through foes in sequences as horrifying as they are satisfying. The gore, long a hallmark of the series, has never looked more visceral.
Yet despite these powers, the dark remains deadly. Venturing into shadowed zones with only a dwindling UV flashlight is a gamble, and the heightened aggression of the undead makes every step a risk. It’s a reminder that while Crane is stronger, the night is still terrifying, and that survival, not invincibility, remains the core of identity of Dying Light: The Beast.
Co-Op, Continuity, and the Allure of Darkness
For those unwilling to face the night alone, co-op remains a pillar. Friends can join to tackle dark zones, missions, and hordes together, turning dread into chaos. Techland’s blend of continuity and evolution is evident throughout the demo: weapon durability still matters, scavenging still rewards curiosity, and venturing into the dark is still equal parts opportunity and nightmare.
The fascination with zombies may ebb and flow, but Dying Light: The Beast proves there’s life left in the undead. By blending familiar systems with new freedoms and Crane’s monstrous evolution, Techland is shaping an instalment that respects its past while carving a darker, bloodier future.
Dying Light: The Beast launches on September 19 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
