Dying Light: The Beast – A Fresh Look at Kyle Crane’s Return
At SGF 2025, we had the chance to get hands-on with Dying Light: The Beast, marking the first North American preview event. This was a unique opportunity to delve into the first hour of gameplay, where we followed Kyle Crane’s escape from captivity. After spending thirteen years as a subject of twisted experiments, Crane is far from the hero he once was. Instead, he’s a more vengeful and brutal version of himself. This semi-sequel to Dying Light sets the stage for a darker adventure, with Crane returning to the world, fueled by anger and a thirst for revenge.
While Crane still possesses his parkour abilities, he’s now also equipped with devastating combat skills. He’s not just jumping over obstacles; he’s taking down both humans and volatiles with a vengeance. The game’s early moments made it clear that going up against volatiles in the beginning is a surefire way to meet an early death.
The gameplay, however, remains a true Dying Light experience. We got to witness the familiar day-night cycle and safe zones that fans have grown accustomed to. These safe zones now feature additional functionality, including bolting and shuttering windows for extra protection. The demo even introduced a driving sequence, which leads players to a junkyard controlled by a towering infected behemoth. Of course, things quickly escalate into a shootout, followed by an intense battle for survival.
The most jaw-dropping moment came when Kyle Crane made the decision to inject infected blood into himself after taking down the behemoth, setting the stage for the evolution of his abilities. This decision definitely carries a heavy weight, leaving us wondering how it will affect the storyline.
After the demo, we sat down with Tymon Smektała, Franchise Director for Dying Light, to discuss the game’s development. According to Smektała, Dying Light: The Beast began as a smaller project but has since grown into a fully-fledged game. While initially conceived as a DLC for Dying Light 2, the team quickly realized it had become something more. The game will feature a main story that spans about 20 hours, with side missions and open-world activities adding even more depth. Smektała emphasizes that Dying Light: The Beast is the most ambitious title in the franchise so far.
The game introduces several new mechanics, including a progression system for Crane’s beast-like abilities, which he gains through the experimental treatments he underwent. These abilities add an exciting new layer to the gameplay, making Crane a much more formidable character. Smektała notes that while Kyle was a more one-dimensional character in the first game, this time around, he’s far more complex, driven by anger, frustration, and a thirst for revenge.
When asked if Crane would still be as agile as he was in the first game, Smektała explained that while Crane’s parkour skills remain intact, the character feels more grounded and physically imposing. With the addition of his new beastly powers, Crane will be able to run faster and jump higher, although these abilities won’t be used for solving environmental puzzles. Instead, they will mostly be focused on combat.
The game will also feature plenty of new content, including vehicular missions and some exciting driving sequences. Smektała revealed that Techland’s team, who previously worked on rally games, is behind these new vehicle mechanics. This adds a fresh twist to the gameplay and could even open the door to a potential zombie-themed car combat game in the future.
For those who enjoyed the first Dying Light’s save zones, you’ll be pleased to know that the concept is returning in Dying Light: The Beast, but with a twist. Now, players will be able to barricade safe zones using shutters, adding a new layer of strategy and survival to the game.
As for firearms, Smektała confirmed that they would play a more significant role in the game, although they won’t be the primary focus. Guns have been given more attention in Dying Light: The Beast, with improved animations and realistic sound effects that make shooting feel more satisfying. However, the emphasis will still be on zombie combat, with players having the freedom to choose how they approach each encounter-whether through melee weapons, firearms, or even using the environment to their advantage.
Overall, Dying Light: The Beast promises to be a thrilling experience, with a focus on survival, exploration, and intense combat. The addition of Kyle Crane’s beast-like powers and the revamped gameplay mechanics make this installment one of the most exciting in the series yet. The game will launch on August 22 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with older consoles following later in the year. Keep your eyes peeled for the full launch-this is a game you won’t want to miss!