Dying Light 2 is finally here and, even though 2022 has just begun, it could be the biggest title of the year.
If you’re one of the people who missed the original game but wants to jump into the sequel when it launches, we have you covered with a recap of the first title, as well as some extra information about the newly released game.
To understand why Dying Light is so special as a series we need to go back to the launch of the first game all the way back in 2015. Those who remember the more than six year since the launch will know that 2015 was just after the height of the zombie game craze and developer and publisher Techland was launching into a market that was a bit weary of what it had to offer.
Thankfully Techland didn’t produce a run of the mill zombie shooter, but carefully crafted a distilled font of fun that many people are still enjoying even as Dying Light 2 is around the corner.
What made the first game so special starts with our protagonist and player character Kyle Crane. Our man Crane is one nimble guy with parkour skills allowing him to quickly traverse the low roofs and sprawling nature of the fictional city Harran.
First person parkour had been tried before 2015 but Techland made it special in Dying Light thanks to how effortlessly the freedom of movement melds with the combat, exploration and unique day / night cycle of the game.
While Dying Light is a first person game the focus isn’t on guns. While there are plenty of firearms around they are a valuable resource with players instead usually focusing on unique melee weapons that can be crafted using materials found out in the wild.
This combination of weapons is married nicely to an RPG skilltree that ties everything together. Players will find themselves running around Harran, deftly sidestepping zombies, collecting loot and crafting weapons to not only defend themselves, but also beat back the horde to help a group of survivors that Crane (and the player) will grow attached to.
Let us tell you readers you have not really played videogames until you unlock the dropkick – a flying double kick – and use it to absolutely send zombies flying off of building.
The dropkick is one of the most satisfying abilities ever put into a game and you can even use it for more strategic fights such as sending zombies into traps or carefully kicking them all into a tight group so you can shred them with an explosive weapon.
Don’t get too cocky though. Zombies are weaker during the day when the UV rays of the sun strip them of their true power. Once night falls the horde becomes infinitely more dangerous and players will find themselves needing to carefully pick their fights, or use their parkour skills to escape, just so they can survive.
With greater risk comes greater reward. Loot is better at night in this game and certain special events, enemies and more are only available once the sun goes down.
If you like what you’ve read so far then Dying Light 2 should already be on your wishlist with Techland bringing all the elements that made the original Dying Light good, and turning it up to eleven.
Dying Light 2 takes place 20 years after the events of the first game so players will get to explore an entirely new locale which will reflect what has happened to humanity after being beaten so badly by the zombies.
This open world is rife with exploration opportunities, improved, brutal combat, full two to four player co-op and a storyline that will change to your important choices.
And, of course, the day / night cycle returns to once again dare players out when it’s dark.
Dying Light 2 is out now! Pick it up for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
