Dying Light: The Beast Review – These Fangs Need Sharpening

Dying Light: The Beast Review

When Techland released the first Dying Light in 2015, it carved out a unique identity by blending high-energy parkour traversal with survival horror tension. Its sequel, Dying Light 2 Stay Human, expanded on that vision with a broader scope, deeper narrative ambitions, and a living city that evolved in response to player choices. In spite of its many issues, Dying Light 2 did feel like an attempt at a genuine sequel. Now, with Dying Light: The Beast, Techland has sought to push the IP into an even more daring space—tighter combat, darker atmosphere, and a heavier focus on adaptive enemy AI. The result is a game that, while certainly not flawless, represents some of the developer’s most ambitious and experimental storytelling and design to date.

One of the most immediately striking qualities of The Beast is its world-building. Set in an isolated Swiss Alps tourist destination rather than a dense metropolis, The Beast trades towering urban spires for derelict industrial wastelands, forests turned hostile, and twisted rural outposts. This new backdrop gives the experience a different rhythm: claustrophobic combat in small settlements often gives way to long treks through hostile wilderness.

Wide-Open Spaces

Admittedly, the environmental design is hit and miss. Techland has consistently excelled at creating oppressive spaces where tension never dissipates. But The Beast is full of wide-open areas that don’t capture the essence of what makes Dying Light great. The intense verticality of the first two games is seldom found in The Beast, instead opting for a more spacious map that often feels like a chore to navigate. Visuals showcase impressive fidelity, with detailed character models and richly textured environments that heighten immersion. Lighting effects are particularly strong—flashlights, fires, and moonlight all interact believably with surfaces and shadows, which is essential for a game built on the fear of the dark.

Dynamic weather and day/night transitions play a more integral role than ever. At night, for example, mist can roll in across abandoned fields, reducing visibility and intensifying the fear factor. The soundscape follows suit—distant growls carry across valleys, heightened by subtle musical cues that never overwhelm but constantly remind you of the lurking danger. Seriously, sound design here is top-notch. In fact, my favorite part of The Beast is its superb original score. It’s as if Techland wanted The Beast to sound like 28 Days Later, with somber, acoustic melodies that crescendo into heart-pounding anthems to accentuate the narrative.

Intimate Narrative

The story of Dying Light: The Beast takes a more intimate, character-driven approach compared to its predecessors. Without revealing spoilers, the campaign explores not only the fight for survival but also questions of morality, control, and what it means to become the very thing one fears. Protagonists are written with more nuance, and the supporting cast—particularly survivors who struggle with the creeping infection—offer compelling arcs that reflect the broader theme of humanity’s fragility.

However, while the thematic ambition is commendable, the execution occasionally feels uneven. Dialogue sometimes lacks the natural flow needed to deliver emotional punches, and certain pivotal moments arrive too abruptly. Yet when The Beast leans into its core theme—the blurred line between human and monster—it delivers some of the most thought-provoking sequences in the franchise. The Beast of the title is more than your foes; it becomes a metaphorical mirror, and Dying Light is at its best when it forces players to confront those reflections.

Tactical Navigation

Gameplay remains the beating heart of the franchise, and The Beast offers both refinements and bold risks. Parkour is still present but in a more stripped-down fashion compared to the expansive verticality of Dying Light 2. Instead of focusing on sprawling rooftops, the game emphasizes tactical navigation through both tighter, more confined spaces and vast open areas. Movement feels fluid and responsive, though I undoubtedly miss the longer, cinematic sequences of urban free-running. I also long for the skill trees of previous entries. The Beast offers the most uninteresting, uninspiring skill tree to date, severely diminishing my enjoyment of strengthening my character.

Combat has undergone the most significant transformation. Enemy AI has been reworked to feel less predictable, with infected displaying pack behaviors and adaptive strategies. When a horde attacks, it no longer feels like a series of scripted waves. Instead, it’s a living mass that reacts dynamically to your tools and tactics. Human opponents, too, behave with greater cunning, dodging and flanking when least expected. This improvement significantly raises the tension in encounters. Though it can occasionally feel overwhelming, especially for players unaccustomed to constant pressure. Even on the standard difficulty, The Beast feels like the most difficult game yet in the Dying Light franchise. A double-edged sword, as some players will love the new challenge The Beast offers, while others may be turned off by an experience that at times can feel unfair.

Keep Cooking

On a technical level, The Beast is a bit of a mess in its current state. I’m not surprised, given that Dying Light 2 felt like it was held together by glue and duct tape. But The Beast needs a ton of work. Clipping, screen tearing, and odd pathing issues currently plague the experience. I’ve also encountered a horrific audio bug that essentially disables the dialogue and a majority of the sound effects. Some enemy pathing issues are also present, occasionally breaking immersion. Playing The Beast cooperatively seems to trigger the majority of these issues, so if you’re planning on diving in with a friend, it might be best to hold off until Techland can iron out these faults.

Dying Light: The Beast is not a safe sequel. It does not attempt to simply enlarge the cityscapes or double down on familiar systems. Instead, Techland recalibrates the franchise, opting for a more intimate, tension-driven approach rooted in the original’s survival horror fundamentals. While not every risk pays off, the ambition is appreciated. For players seeking another sprawling urban parkour playground, this entry may feel narrower in scope. However, for those who want to experience atmospheric, nerve-shredding moments, The Beast delivers. It challenges you not only to endure the infected but to examine the humanity you cling to in a world intent on stripping it away.

***A PS5 code was provided for review***