Last updated on October 19, 2025
2025 marks the launch of Dying Light: The Beast, Techland’s ambitious new chapter in the zombie survival series. Originally envisioned as a DLC expansion for Dying Light 2, the project grew into a standalone title with high expectations from fans familiar with Kyle Crane’s saga. While it delivers brutally satisfying combat and a fresh take on environment and powers, it struggles with narrative and technical issues that hold it back from greatness.
Revisiting and Reimagining Kyle Crane: Power Meets Struggle
Kyle Crane returns transformed. After years in captivity and horrific experiments, he has become a half-beast hybrid with terrifying powers. This new form adds a “Beast Mode”, a rage-fueled state bringing unparalleled strength and massacre potential. Players can use shoulder charges that bulldoze enemies and unleash devastating melee attacks, injecting fresh energy into combat.
Yet, outside Beast Mode, the combat system remains familiar: precise timing, fast reflexes, and strategic weapon use are key to survival. The Beast’s combat feels more visceral than ever, but its full power reserves and spectacular special moves appear mostly in bursts, rather than as a continuous experience.
Combat Evolution: Raw, Satisfying, But Eventually Repetitive
Fighting hordes of zombies remains a highlight. The sounds of crunching bones and tearing flesh create a grim yet thrilling atmosphere. Weapon modifications with elemental effects add depth, allowing tactical approaches—whether setting enemies on fire or electrocuting a cluster.
Still, repetition slows down engagement. Enemies lack variety as you progress, and boss fights too often devolve into memorizing attack patterns. Imaginative enemy encounters from earlier games are largely absent, with some bosses feeling underwhelming despite their initial impact. The new mechanics, including Beast Mode and skill upgrades, offer excitement but don’t fully revive combat diversity.
Movement and Environment: Gritty Realism Over Fluidity
The hallmark parkour system returns but is less graceful than in previous titles. Movement can feel rigid and clumsy, especially climbing or positioning. This dampens the usual thrill of freerunning through a dynamic open world.
Castor Woods—the new setting inspired by the Swiss Alps—retains a tense atmosphere with dense forests and quaint villages. The environment feels smaller than the sprawling urban landscapes of the past, but its detailed design and real-time weather systems immerse players. However, the lack of fast travel forces lengthy walks, sapping exploration enthusiasm.
Though the map fits well with the harsher tone of the storyline, it lacks the scope and scale fans might expect. The game omits some classic open world freedoms, making traversal feel more tactical than expansive.
Story and Characters: Promises Unfulfilled
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Narrative weak points are apparent throughout. Though Kyle Crane’s backstory deepens with his transformation and quest for revenge, supporting characters lack development and emotional weight. Dialogue often feels scripted and robotic, hampering player connection.
Voice acting is a mixed bag. Roger Craig Smith’s portrayal of Crane adds grit and gravitas, but other characters don’t reach the same heights. The plot’s pacing drags frequently, weighed down by tedious fetch quests and repetitive mission structure.
While side stories offer small emotional touches, the overall storyline fails to provide a satisfying arc, concluding with a predictable climax.
Technical Performance and Presentation: Polished Yet Problematic
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Powered by an enhanced C-Engine, The Beast boasts high fidelity lighting, detailed textures, and convincing environmental effects. The lack of ray tracing is noticeable but not detrimental. The sound design excels, particularly during combat, heightening tension and impact.
On consoles, performance is stable and smooth. PC players report crashes and bugs that occasionally break immersion. Animation glitches and AI quirks are present but don’t severely obstruct gameplay.
Final Thoughts: A Love Letter to Fans That May Not Win New Ones
Dying Light: The Beast successfully refines core gameplay and introduces intriguing new elements. Its brutal combat, atmospheric world, and enhanced powers uphold the franchise’s legacy.
Yet, for all its ambition, it is held back by narrative weaknesses, clunky movement, and technical flaws. Hardcore fans will appreciate its challenges and lore, while newcomers may find it less accessible.
After investing more than 30 hours, it becomes clear The Beast is a solid but flawed chapter. It sustains the series’ spirit but doesn’t fully justify its AAA price tag or standalone status.
Final scpre
— 7/10 —
