The world of gaming continues to evolve, with developers constantly vying for supremacy in various genres. Among the most popular are horror-themed games featuring the undead. Techland is backing its open-world horror series, Dying Light, in an effort to establish it as the definitive experience for zombie enthusiasts.
At Gamescom Opening Night Live, Techland showcased Dying Light: The Beast, featuring a cinematic trailer that reintroduced the beloved character, Kyle Crane. Although the timeline since the first installment and its ensuing DLC, The Following, remains unclear, Crane’s appearance suggests he has faced considerable challenges during his absence.
In a discussion with GamesRadar+, Tymon Smektala, the franchise director for Dying Light, emphasized the importance of creating an immersive gaming environment. He highlighted how even the minutiae of gameplay – such as weapon reloading – are crafted with care to enhance player engagement and offer a tangible experience.
Smektala also hinted at exciting new gameplay elements for The Beast. He mentioned that additional mechanics are being kept under wraps, which promises to expand the combat system. This approach parallels the introduction of vehicular combat seen in The Following, which utilized a dramatic dune buggy to elevate gameplay dynamics.
The team's overarching ambition remains clear: Dying Light aspires to become the quintessential zombie game. Smektala reiterated this objective, stating that the ultimate aim is for gamers to inherently associate the series with the genre. Achieving this vision is no small feat, especially given the competitive landscape that includes franchises like Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, and Dead Rising.
With each iteration built upon the foundational elements of the original Dying Light, Techland envisions a future that melds the best aspects of its past projects into an exceptional and comprehensive zombie adventure. While an official release date for Dying Light: The Beast has not yet been announced, it is confirmed to launch on current-gen platforms, specifically for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
For those interested in horror gaming, you may wish to check if any titles from Techland's Dying Light series have made it into the rankings of the best horror games available today.