All signs point to Dying Light 2 amping up all of the features in it’s previous entry, including indication that it will be a much more intense, violent, and gory experience. The seven minute trailer covers a lot of information, while also providing players with plenty of footage from the new game. The trailer describes the The City in Dying Light 2 as an unforgiving place that will try to destroy Aiden at every turn. As long as players are smart and partner up with the right factions, they can survive more than just one night in Dying Light 2.
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Zombie Nests Clear at Night in Dying Light 2
The Volatile nests first appeared in The Following DLC for Dying Light, and the player was tasked with clearing them out to keep the zombie population at bay. Now that it’s been 15 years since the initial zombie outbreak, and since the infection has spread worldwide, it would be a near impossible task to clear out all the zombie nests for Aiden alone. However, Dying Light 2 will give players the option to sneak into the nests at night while all the walking dead are out looking for a meal. If Aiden can manage to sneak through the darkness without getting killed, he’ll find a reward well worth the struggle.
The nest system was first introduced in The Following and now seems like that was a way to test the concept while gauging player interest. Since the new story DLC went to everyone with a Season Pass, or who bought the enhanced version of the game, Techland was able to get an idea on what players thought of the nests as the concept was being developed or conceptualized for Dying Light 2. However, it begs the question if players will also be able to visit the nests during the day and attempt to clear them out in the sequel as well.
Three Distinct and Impactful Factions - Survivors, Peacekeepers, Renegades
The first Dying Light had two main factions in Rais’ Gang and the Survivors in The Tower. Most of the game sees Kyle Crane trying to balance his personal needs with those of the tower and Rais’ men. The narrative mostly sees Kyle reacting to the factions decisions, often having to change his own plans when one of the factions needed something first. However, it seems Aiden will be able to have an impact on The City and its inhabitants, from the scrappy Survivors to the power-hungry Renegades.
The trailer promises that each faction will feature dynamic characters that will make the gameplay and choices complex. As Aiden, players will be able to choose whether they help the different factions, or use them to pursue their own goal. In this way, the game gives players the option to play a similar experience to the first Dying Light.
New Zombie and Volatile Types in Dying Light 2
Before the new trailer, some fans were wondering how the zombies would’ve evolved over the 15 years since the first game. In Dying Light 2’s Stay Alive trailer, fans can see a few new types of monsters, including a larger version of the Demolisher. The Virals and Biters make up the brunt force of the Infecteds’ numbers, with the few special types. The trailer shows some previously teased Infected, such as a zombie with a glowing back and multiple arms sprouting out. There’s also a few frames of a monster with elongated arms and fingers that look as sharp as knives.
New Parkour Tools
One of the coolest things the first Dying Light did for the zombie game genre was implementing an innovative movement system. There is no other feeling that can compare to jumping off a roof and landing on a zombie to soften the landing. In addition to parkour, the first Dying Light also introduced tools to aid this gameplay such as a grappling hook. Not only does it look like the grappling hook will be returning, there also seem to be some new tools that will assist Aiden on his journey.
In the newest gameplay trailer for Dying Light 2, Aiden can be seen jumping on a yellow platform that lifts him up onto a higher roof behind enemy lines. Since it’s been 15 years since the initial outbreak, and humanity has largely taken to the rooftops, it follows that they would create inventions like this jump pad in order to help them reach their destination. It makes one wonder what other inventions the people of The City have come up with in the time since Harran.
A Choice-Based Narrative System
The first Dying Light provided an entertaining story to go along with their innovative gameplay. However, it was mostly static and the player didn’t get a choice in their actions until the release of The Following DLC. Dying Light 2’s story will have many moments where players can affect the story with their choices, and the game world will sometimes pay the consequences. Techland has said that players could miss up to half of the in-game content on their first playthrough based on their choices.
Dying Light 2 has been in development since at least 2018, although it likely started some time before that. Ever since it was first announced, fans have been clamoring for as much information as they can get. After a desert of a year for gaming, many big developers are starting to announce their game’s release dates. Hopefully the fact that Dying Light 2 was one of the first means that fans can look forward to a completed and polished game on December 7, 2021.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human releases for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on December 7.
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