It’s already been seven years since we fought the Infected and experienced true horror in Dying Light. What first seemed like another zombie game by Techland (Dead Island) quickly turned into a cult classic, becoming one of the most engrossing co-op open-world experiences in videogames. After years of delays, fans can rejoice as Dying Light 2 Stay Human is here.
Dying Light 2 brings everything that made its predecessor a hit and takes it a step further, promising lots of new features to make it more appealing to all types of gamers. Thinking of spending the whole weekend bashing zombies? Here’s a complete rundown of the 10 most important things you should know before venturing into Techland’s latest AAA hit.
You don’t need to play the first game to enjoy it
One of the classic questions every gamer asks when a sequel is released is “Do I need to play the first part before this one?”. While you will definitely enjoy Dying Light 2 a lot more if you’ve played the first game, it’s not mandatory to understand the plot or get engrossed with the excellent survival mechanics. The game takes place 20 years after the original Dying Light and features a new main character as well as a new setting. This means that even if you’ve never heard of the Harran virus or the Infected before, you’ll have a great time surviving in this dark world.
It has a new story and main character
As we just mentioned, Dying Light 2 Stay Human takes place 20 years after the events of the original game. During this time, the Harran virus has completely destroyed civilization as we know it and infected more than 98% of the human population. With a world that has gone back to the Dark Ages and the Infected roaming freely all over the world, only one place is considered the bastion of humanity on Earth: The City.
Players will take the role of a new character called Aiden Caldwell, a Pilgrim that has just reached The City. However, he holds a very dangerous secret: he’s been infected. While trying to stay human, Aiden will venture headfirst into a hopeless crusade to find his lost sister as well as a cure for the virus.
The map is 4-5 times bigger than the original
Villedor, also known as The City, is Dying Light’s 2 main setting. This amazing location is a mixture of different cultures and structures, from slums and skyscrapers to amazing Turkish and Islamic mosques. Even though The City is considered a sanctuary to humans, it’s definitely not a safe place. The Infected infest the streets and lower levels of the city, forcing humans to adapt and live on its rooftops.
Dying Light’s map is divided into seven different districts with some offroad facilities that Aiden can explore at his own will. Each of them has its own factions, sidequests, and hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. As a whole, the map of Dying Light 2 is 4-5 times bigger than the one from the original game.
There are 3 factions ruling The City
While exploring The City, you will meet three different Factions you can aid or defy: Survivors, Renegades, and Peacekeepers. The Survivors are a group of humans that try to keep Villedor’s facilities working while they stay away from the Infected as much as they can. The Renegades on the other hand are a group of dangerous ex-prisoners led by The Colonel who will selfishly do anything to stay alive. Last, but not least, we can find the Peacekeepers, a very strict military group that focuses all their efforts on getting rid of the Infected.
Your choices have consequences
As Aiden, you’ll face many tough decisions and difficult conundrums that you can’t take lightly. All of them will have a consequence on how the game evolves. For example, your choices can have a deep impact on the importance of certain characters, making their roles minor or vital to the development of the story. So, think twice about your actions or you might regret them later.
There’s a City Alignment System
One of the most notable improvements in Dying Light 2 is the presence of a City Alignment System. As we’ve already explained, Villedor is ruled by three different factions; the Survivors, Renegades, and Peacekeepers. The way you interact with them and which zones of The City are under their control will change the dynamic of the game. For example, if you decide to help The Survivors, who are the Faction that rules a certain part of Villedor, it will completely change its surroundings, adding zip lines that will help you move around the area. Just think carefully about who you give your loyalty to, as you might make enemies with the other two Factions.
The parkour system has been improved
One of Dying Light’s most applauded features was its amazing parkour system. Techland was very aware of that fact and, for that reason, they’ve added a large number of improvements to it. Running, jumping, and gliding over The City is a frenetic experience like no other. Dying Light 2 not only has more than 3,000 new animations, but also adds new skills and abilities that result in a new level of freedom to open-world games.
There are new types of Infected
It’s already been 20 years since the outbreak of the Harran virus and the Infected change; some would even say they’ve become more aggressive. While we’ll face classic enemies such as the Virals or the Biters again, Dying Light 2 features new types of zombies such as the Degenerates, Drowners, Revenants, Howlers, and the terrible Banshees. Make sure to be prepared if you face them when night falls!
Co-op returns
Dying Light 2 features a new and improved co-op system that will surely please fans of multiplayer games. It allows up to four friends to join the same game and take on the Infected. Since the map of Dying Light 2 changes depending on your choices, one of the four players will be hosting the game and everyone will play in the host’s version of The City. There won’t be crossplay though, so make sure all your friends get Dying Light 2 on the same platform if you want to play together.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the time of the day
Dying Light 2 is very serious about the importance of its day and night cycle. If you want to explore The City and make sure to get the best gear from the start, then be sure to keep an eye on the clock. During the daytime, the Infected will seek shelter inside buildings, making the streets a bit safer to explore. When the night falls though, the zombies will take over the streets, turning them into a battlefield. It will be, however, the best time to get into their lairs and check for weapons. Make sure to plan how you want to explore the map according to the time of day.
Are you ready to explore The City?
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a must-play for all survival horror fans looking for an open-world game that mixes plenty of actions with role-playing elements and a thrilling parkour system. Will you be brave enough to face the Infected one more time? DL2 is already available on the following platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
