Techland’s Dying Light: The Beast is more than just another zombie action game. Originally conceived as an expansion for Dying Light 2, it grew into a standalone sequel that brings back fan-favorite Kyle Crane in his most dangerous chapter yet. The result is a tighter, scarier, and more survival-driven experience that pushes the series back toward its horror roots.
Story: Kyle Crane’s Darkest Chapter
Set more than a decade after the events in Harran, The Beast follows Kyle Crane, the original protagonist, now scarred by years of torture and genetic experimentation. His infection has left him half-human and half-infected, giving him monstrous strength but also burdening him with inner conflict.
The new setting, Castor Woods in the Swiss Alps, feels like a stark departure from urban sprawl. Rustic villages, dense forests, and eerie cabins create a perfect backdrop for Crane’s journey. The narrative explores themes of survival, trauma, and duality, but its true purpose is to frame Crane’s new Beast Mode powers and his battle against those who exploited him.
While the main plot may lean on B-movie horror tropes, it works well enough to drive the gameplay and keeps you invested in Crane’s desperate fight for survival.
Gameplay: Parkour, Combat, and Beast Mode
At its core, The Beast retains the series’ DNA: first-person parkour and brutal melee combat. Traversal feels fluid and satisfying, whether you’re leaping across rooftops, climbing rock faces, or vaulting over the undead. Castor Woods is built with verticality in mind, ensuring that exploration always feels fresh.
Combat and Weapons
Combat has been rebalanced for tension:
- Melee is king, with bats, machetes, bows, and elemental add-ons making every fight visceral.
- Weapon durability is stricter — weapons break permanently after limited repairs.
- Stamina management makes even small skirmishes dangerous.
- Guns exist, but they don’t fuel Beast Mode, keeping melee as the core strategy.
Beast Mode
The signature new mechanic, Beast Mode, transforms Crane into a near-unstoppable predator for short bursts:
- Earn energy by dealing and taking damage.
- Unleash devastating finishers, leap higher, and tear zombies apart barehanded.
- Functions more like a last-resort survival tool than a constant power fantasy.
Boss encounters tie into this system, rewarding players with Beast Points to upgrade powers after intense battles against mutated foes.
See also: Dying Light The Beast Safe Spot Locations Explained for Beginners
Survival Features: Day, Night, and Resource Management
Where Dying Light 2 leaned into empowerment, The Beast pulls back, creating a harsher world that demands planning.
Day vs. Night
- Daytime: Exploration and combat dominate. Parkour shines, and you can push through quests with relative safety.
- Nighttime: The game shifts into pure horror. Volatiles stalk the woods relentlessly, forcing players into stealth and panic-driven escapes. Safe zones are fewer, making every run through the dark a gamble.
Survival Systems
- Scarcer safehouses mean careful route planning is critical.
- Vehicles (like ranger trucks) replace fast travel but require fuel and maintenance.
- Crafting returns, letting players build brutal elemental weapons, though it remains a bit clunky.
- Weapon upgrades and scavenging remain vital, as favorites won’t last forever.
These changes make survival feel raw and authentic, capturing the tension of a true zombie apocalypse.
Performance and Platforms
Dying Light: The Beast is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and surprisingly, it’s also playable on the Steam Deck. Performance hovers around 30 FPS with default settings, and while large encounters may cause dips, it’s a stable handheld experience with the right optimizations.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Grimmer, survival-first approach.
- Excellent melee combat and parkour.
- Beast Mode as a balanced emergency mechanic.
- Beautiful yet terrifying Castor Woods setting.
- Strong atmosphere with Olivier Derivière’s haunting soundtrack.
Cons
- Story feels thin and campy at times.
- Crafting still clunky.
- Some side activities (like racing) feel out of place.
Final Verdict
Dying Light: The Beast trims the excess of its predecessor and leans into what the series does best: tense survival, brutal combat, and terrifying nights. By pulling back on overpowered abilities and doubling down on horror, Techland delivers a 20-hour experience that feels both refreshing and punishing in the best ways.
For fans of survival horror and players who wanted Dying Light to finally embrace its darker potential, The Beast is a must-play.
