It’s hard to believe, but the original Dying Light launched over 10 years ago and completely redefined the zombie genre with its mix of parkour, survival, and brutal combat. Its sequel, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, landed with more mixed reception—not because it was bad, but because the first game set the bar sky-high. Now, Techland is back with Dying Light: The Beast, and I can confidently say: this is the most refined, most exhilarating, and most satisfying entry in the series yet.
Story: Kyle Crane’s Return to Glory
After finding a chimera escaped its cage in the truck
Dying Light: The Beast tells a story that feels both simple and powerful: Kyle Crane is back, and he’s on a vengeance quest that fits his character perfectly. The core narrative revolves around hunting down terrifying new enemies known as Chimera—infected test subjects mutated with an experimental strain of the virus. Each Chimera fight is intense, cinematic, and pushes Crane to evolve as he absorbs their blood to grow stronger, building toward a final showdown with the mysterious Baron.
It’s straightforward but incredibly effective. Not every zombie game needs a convoluted narrative; what makes it work is Kyle Crane himself. He’s always been a badass protagonist, and in The Beast, Techland leans into that in a way that makes you root for him every step of the way.
Gameplay: Parkour, Combat, and Driving at Their Peak
If you’ve ever enjoyed the free-running of the original game, The Beast is a parkour playground. Traversal feels buttery smooth, with more verticality and creative routes than ever before. I constantly found myself sidetracked just experimenting with crazy parkour lines because the mechanics encourage you to push your limits.
Combat is equally satisfying. You can play stealthy—silently taking down enemies in the shadows—or go loud with chaotic shootouts. Both options feel well-developed and intentional, not like one was tacked on. That balance of player freedom is a huge win, and it makes every encounter feel fresh.
Tracking a chimera, the machete has a poison mod on it
And then there’s the driving, this is something that shocked me the first time I played. Vehicles aren’t just a throwaway feature here; they feel like their own game. That’s because Techland actually brought in a developer from the racing sim world to design the mechanics, and it shows. Driving across the massive new map isn’t a chore—it’s an adrenaline rush.
Whether you’re sprinting across rooftops, sneaking through dark alleys, running for your life away from Volatiles. or tearing down a forest road in a truck, The Beast never stops being fun.
Graphics & Performance: Beautifully Brutal
The very first time you get to experience the amazing view
One of the biggest issues in zombie games is the tendency for everything to look like sludge—muddy colors, ugly environments, and bland character models. Dying Light: The Beast breaks that mold. Set in the stunning Castor Woods (inspired by the Swiss Alps), the world is vibrant, eerie, and breathtaking. I often caught myself climbing towers or rooftops just to soak in the views. It’s rare for a zombie game to make you pause for beauty, but The Beast pulls it off.
Performance is equally impressive. On PC (tested with an RTX 4070 Super), the game ran flawlessly—no stuttering, no major bugs, and seamless transitions between interiors and exteriors. Load times are practically invisible, and entering new areas feels natural rather than broken up by constant loading screens. While I haven’t tested on console yet, I’d be shocked if Techland didn’t deliver the same polish across the board.
Feedback: Is it beginner friendly?
If there’s one caveat, it’s that Dying Light: The Beast can be tough on newcomers. The controls, parkour system, and combat pacing might overwhelm players jumping in cold. The game throws you into a boss fight within the first 30–45 minutes, which is thrilling for veterans but might feel like a crash course for rookies.
My advice: if you’re brand-new, spend a little time with the intro of the first Dying Light to get used to the feel. The Beast is forgiving with difficulty settings, but it’s still a game built for those who like a challenge.
Final Verdict: A Masterclass in Zombie Gaming
Techland took everything that made Dying Light special—fluid parkour, intense combat, and a gripping protagonist—and cranked it up to 11. Dying Light: The Beast doesn’t just redeem the franchise after the divisive reception of Dying Light 2—it makes the entire journey feel worth it.
From its stunning environments to its flawless performance and deeply satisfying gameplay loop, this is easily one of the best zombie games ever made. If you’ve ever loved the series—or if you’ve been waiting for a reason to dive back in—this is it.
Dying Light: The Beast is available today! On PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5. And I HIGHLY recommend checking it out for yourself.
