PGC NEWS

The Polish game developer Techland, with over two decades of experience, has finally crafted a title that truly showcases their potential: Dying Light. While previous titles like Call of Juarez and Dead Island garnered a dedicated fanbase, Dying Light elevates the studio to new heights, offering a unique and exhilarating experience that surpasses their earlier work. The game blends familiar elements with innovative mechanics, resulting in a gripping and dynamic gameplay loop.

A Masterful Blend of Genres

Dying Light draws inspiration from several successful games, seamlessly integrating elements of Dead Island‘s melee combat and open-world exploration, Mirror’s Edge‘s parkour system, and Far Cry 3‘s light RPG mechanics. This fusion creates a diverse and engaging experience that surpasses the sum of its parts.

The combat retains the visceral thrill of Dead Island, emphasizing melee encounters and strategic improvisation. Players can utilize a variety of weapons, from blunt instruments to bladed weapons, to dispatch hordes of undead. Environmental takedowns, like pushing zombies onto spikes or using dropkicks, add a layer of creative brutality.

Brutal melee combat is a core component of Dying Light’s gameplay.

When overwhelmed, the fluid parkour system provides a thrilling escape route. While less complex than Mirror’s Edge, it offers a satisfying level of freedom and maneuverability. Mastering the art of traversing Harran’s rooftops and navigating its narrow alleyways is crucial for survival.

Fluid parkour mechanics allow players to navigate the environment with ease.

The game’s RPG elements are streamlined yet effective. Three skill trees—Survivor, Agility, and Power—encourage diverse playstyles. Each tree has its own experience track, rewarding players for engaging in different activities, from completing quests and rescuing survivors to mastering parkour and combat techniques. This system fosters a sense of progression and allows players to tailor their skills to their preferred approach.

The skill tree system encourages diverse playstyles and progression.

Dying Light also boasts a wealth of content. Challenges, co-op activities, and a plethora of side quests provide ample opportunities for exploration and engagement. From racing to airdrops and scavenging for supplies to escorting survivors and securing safe houses, there’s always something to do in Harran.

From Hunter to Hunted: The Terror of Night

The game’s tagline, “Good Night. Good Luck,” hints at the terrifying transformation that occurs when darkness falls. As night descends, the infected become more aggressive and sensitive to sound, and new, more dangerous enemies emerge.

Nighttime in Harran is a terrifying experience.

The Volatile, apex predators of the night, pose a significant threat. These powerful creatures hunt in packs, utilizing their speed and agility to overwhelm players. Avoiding them becomes a heart-pounding exercise in stealth and parkour. The increased experience rewards for nighttime activities incentivize players to brave the darkness, creating a thrilling risk-reward dynamic.

The Volatile are formidable foes that stalk the night.

Repetitive Quests and Unbalanced Multiplayer

Despite its strengths, Dying Light suffers from some shortcomings. Many of the side quests fall into the repetitive “fetch quest” category, lacking creativity and offering underwhelming rewards. This can diminish the motivation to engage with the game’s side content.

Repetitive side quests can feel uninspired.

The “Be the Zombie” multiplayer mode also suffers from balancing issues. The 1v4 format puts the Night Hunter at a significant disadvantage, especially given the effectiveness of UV light against them. While the concept has potential, the current implementation needs refinement.

The “Be the Zombie” mode suffers from balancing issues.

Conclusion

Dying Light delivers a thrilling and engaging zombie apocalypse experience. Its fluid parkour system, visceral combat, and dynamic day-night cycle create a unique and immersive world. While the repetitive side quests and unbalanced multiplayer detract from the overall experience, the core gameplay loop is undeniably addictive. Dying Light is a must-play for fans of open-world action and survival horror.