Dying Light: The Beast is Smaller, More Terrifying, and Sustainable.

Techland has unveiled a new trailer for Dying Light: The Beast during the 2024 Game Awards, where the game's villain was highlighted and a glimpse of the gameplay was shown. Additionally, it was confirmed that the release is scheduled for the summer of 2025. This title is a spin-off of Techland's zombie series and brings back the protagonist of the first game, Kyle Crane, who faces a ruthless scientist known as The Baron, conducting cruel experiments merging human and zombie DNA.

In a conversation with Tymon Smektala, director of the Dying Light franchise, it was emphasized that The Beast represents a key moment for the series. Not only has it creatively revitalized the Techland team with its more compact format, but it will also close a ten-year cycle for the saga. Smektala stated that developing this title has made the team feel rejuvenated, as if they were a decade younger while working on it.

Although at its core, Dying Light: The Beast remains an open-world game with zombie combat using firearms, melee attacks, and acrobatics, it has implemented significant changes. One of the most relevant aspects is that it is a more concise game compared to Dying Light 2: Stay Human. Smektala explained that they decided not to call it Dying Light 3 to avoid incorrect expectations, as it resembles more of a spin-off, similar to Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. This smaller approach has allowed the team to focus on details, making every corner of the map unique.

The director also mentioned a shift in perspective in video game development. The decision to opt for a more reduced format responds to the reality of an increasingly competitive gaming industry, where keeping players’ attention is crucial. This could influence future projects, allowing the studio to explore new ways of developing their games without risking overly large projects.

Regarding the game's atmosphere, The Beast leans more towards horror than ever before in the series. The trailer highlights a mad science premise and presents Crane as a subject of dark experiments. The setting also focuses on creating a chilling experience, where players will need to explore dark forests with a flashlight, facing the threat of zombies camouflaged in the darkness.

Despite this shift towards a darker narrative, Smektala assures that in some aspects, The Beast returns to the series' roots. The game places a greater emphasis on careful resource management, which could make it even deeper in terms of survival than the first Dying Light. Players are expected to face tough decisions that impact their survival.

With the tenth anniversary of the franchise on the horizon, Techland considers The Beast as a closure to this first stage, but they do not rule out the possibility of future growth beyond video games, exploring opportunities in transmedia and other formats. The company has several exciting ideas in this regard. Dying Light: The Beast is set to release in the summer of 2025 for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.