We went hands-on with Dying Light: The Beast. Does Techland deliver with the latest entry in the franchise? Find out in our preview.
After its delay from August to September, anticipation for Dying Light: The Beast hit Marvel cliffhanger levels. Can the new zombie adventure live up to expectations? Our time in the zombie-packed Castor Woods confirmed it: Kyle Crane returns with the fury of John Wick on a bad day. What was originally planned as DLC for Dying Light 2 evolved into a standalone experience that instantly pulled us into its bloody grip.
Classic movement, new powers
We kicked things off with a mission as classic as it gets: check out a water pump. Spoiler alert: zombie hordes are already waiting there. Right away, one thing stood out – Techland has brought back the movement system from the original game, and you feel it in every step. Kyle once again glides with razor-sharp precision across rooftops and through alleys.
The biggest change, however, lies in Kyle’s abilities. After years of imprisonment and brutal experiments by the mysterious “Baron,” his character has been fundamentally altered. Kyle is no longer the man he once was. The experiments have left their mark, manifesting in an entirely new gameplay element.
Beast Mode: Hulk Smash meets zombie apocalypse
The Beast Mode is the standout feature in Dying Light: The Beast. Once the meter fills up during combat, Kyle transforms into an unstoppable force of destruction—think the Incredible Hulk, but with even less impulse control. With my bare hands I ripped off zombie heads, crushed skulls, and even hurled boulders at my enemies.
The brutality hits a level that could make even Mortal Kombat veterans blink. My jumping power and agility became so extreme that new pathways through the world opened up, places I couldn’t reach before. It feels like a legal cheat code—I went from prey to apex predator in an instant.
Weapons that would make Doom Guy jealous
The weapon system impressed me. In addition to classic melee options, firearms are now part of the arsenal. The flamethrower torches entire groups of zombies, but the grenade launcher tops it—especially since I could craft different ammo types myself, a DIY project MacGyver would’ve been proud of. My personal favorite: the “sawblade launcher.” I bet you can already imagine how that works.
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Even with this arsenal, zombies remain a serious threat. Armed with the strongest weapons, I still found the undead weren’t just cannon fodder. They attack in coordinated, aggressive packs and can overwhelm me even with heavy gear. The balance feels spot-on — I felt powerful but never invincible.
Despite my new Beast powers and arsenal, the game is still a tough survival experience. I had to carefully manage stamina, ammo, and resources. Use guns too carelessly or make too much noise, and I’d quickly attract entire swarms. At night, every step became a fight to stay alive. The dreaded Volatiles gave me no rest, chasing me relentlessly through the streets.
Conclusion: A zombie experience that delivers
After my Gamescom session, I’m convinced: Dying Light: The Beast will thrill fans of the series. Techland has learned from the shortcomings of Dying Light 2 and refocused on what makes the franchise great: brutal zombie action, precise parkour, and an atmosphere that crawls under your skin.
The new region, Castor Woods, takes us to a former tourist paradise and offers tight alleyways, climbing routes, and plenty of room for parkour stunts. Visually, the contrast between scenic mountain vistas and apocalyptic horror works well, though you can tell the engine is showing its age.
The Beast Mode is far more than a gimmick — it fundamentally changes the gameplay, and the expanded weapon arsenal adds spectacular moments without turning the game into a simple shooter. Kyle Crane’s return feels right, and the tighter story promises more narrative depth than the sprawling approach of its predecessor.
