Dying Light: The Beast – Kyle Crane's Return in Techland's Survival Horror Sequel
Dying Light: The Beast* marks Techland's boldest step yet with their survival horror franchise. Released on September 18, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this standalone entry isn't just another chapter. It iss a reinvention of what started as a planned DLC for Dying Light 2: Stay Human, and it grew into a full game. Bringing back a fan-favorite protagonist, new mechanics, and a more horror-driven tone. For longtime fans, this is the return of Kyle Crane. For newcomers, it's a terrifying open-world adventure in a completely new setting.
What is Dying Light: The Beast?
Initially conceived as an expansion for Dying Light 2, The Beast developed into its own game as Techland realized the scope of its story and mechanics. The game bridges familiar DNA. Parkour, melee combat, co-op, with new systems designed to push survival horror further than before. This isn't a city-based urban crawl like Harran or Villedor; it's a raw, atmospheric wilderness where every shadow feels dangerous.
At its heart, The Beast is still about movement and survival. You leap, climb, and fight through an open world filled with infected. But now, the focus shifts toward fear, tension, and the duality of Kyle Crane himself.
Story and Setting
The story begins with the shocking return of Kyle Crane. Presumed dead or lost after the events of the original Dying Light, Crane reemerges years later, forever changed. Captured and experimented on by a sadistic antagonist known as the Baron, Crane is no longer fully human. Part man, part volatile, his hybrid form defines both the narrative and gameplay.
The Baron serves as the central villain, a figure who thrives on cruelty and control. Alongside Crane, players will meet Olivia, an ally who helps him track and harness the dangerous substance known as GSB. Together, they unravel the Baron's experiments while confronting Crane's own monstrous transformation.
Unlike the urban sprawls of earlier games, The Beast is set in Castor Woods, a forested valley teeming with secrets. Inspired by eerie rural Americana and mystery-laden landscapes, the setting feels oppressive, lonely, and unpredictable. Daylight provides fleeting safety, but when night falls, the woods come alive with predators far more dangerous than before.
Gameplay Mechanics
Core gameplay retains the franchise's signature free-running parkour. Traversing rooftops has been replaced with sprinting across uneven terrain, climbing cliffs, and navigating rural cabins. Movement remains fluid and vital,. which serves as a constant reminder that standing still is often a death sentence.
Combat is grittier than in Dying Light 2. Melee weapons return with brutal finishers, while firearms are more common but loud enough to draw hordes. Players can also drive 4x4 vehicles to cover longer distances, though these machines are as noisy as they are useful.
The standout mechanic is Beast Mode. As part-volatile, Crane can unleash temporary bursts of monstrous power: hurling enemies, smashing barricades, or tearing through packs of infected. It's exhilarating but dangerous. By overusing it, you risk pushing him further into his volatile side, tying gameplay directly to the story's theme of humanity versus monstrosity.
The day/night cycle is harsher here. By day, Castor Woods feels tense yet manageable. At night, the game transforms into pure horror, with advanced infected that stalk, overwhelm, and punish the unprepared. Co-op remains an option, letting up to four players tackle missions together, though isolation amplifies the horror best.
Length, Value, and Replayability
Techland designed The Beast with a tighter narrative focus than its predecessors. The main story runs around 20 hours, with another 20–30 hours of side content, exploration, and hidden secrets. This balance makes the game approachable while still rewarding players who want to dive deep.
There's value for returning fans as well: players who already own Dying Light 2: Stay Human Ultimate Edition receive The Beast free of charge. Pre-order bonuses and special editions were also available, though the core package already offers significant content.
Platforms and Technical Details
Dying Light: The Beast launched on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, along with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are planned for the end of 2025, though with scaled-back performance. PC players will find Steam Deck support at launch, with Techland optimizing the title for handheld play.
Localization differences exist, particularly in regions like Japan, where dismemberment and nudity were reduced for ratings approval. Outside of these changes, the game delivers the same brutal survival horror across platforms.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The game's strengths are clear. Kyle Crane's return alone anchors the narrative with nostalgia and emotional weight. The setting of Castor Woods adds atmosphere the series hasn't had before, and Beast Mode ensures gameplay feels fresh. Horror fans will find the night cycle genuinely terrifying, while co-op players get plenty of room for shared chaos.
But The Beast isn't flawless. The absence of fast travel can frustrate, especially in long sessions. Some pacing issues emerge in the mid-game, and early reports note minor technical hiccups at launch. Still, Techland's history of strong post-launch support suggests these problems will be addressed.
Conclusion
Dying Light: The Beast is both a continuation and a rebirth for the franchise. By bringing back Kyle Crane, shifting focus to survival horror, and introducing Beast Mode, Techland has crafted an experience that feels both familiar and daring. It's leaner than Dying Light 2, more focused, and unafraid to embrace horror in ways its predecessors only hinted at.
For longtime fans, this is a triumphant return. For new players, it's an accessible entry point into one of the most unique survival horror series on the market. Brutal, atmospheric, and relentlessly tense, The Beast lives up to its name.
