The suffocating 'Bad Ending' of Dying Light: The Following left a scar on the series' fanbase in more ways than one. When the narrative threads—and the unsettling state of Kyle Crane—weren't picked up in Dying Light 2: Stay Human, the backlash was, to put it mildly, intense. Fast forward to Gamescom 2024, and the reveal of the new series entry, Dying Light: The Beast (hereinafter The Beast), finally put all that speculation to rest.

The Beast is a standalone title detailing the revenge arc of Kyle Crane, who has spent years as a 'test subject' since the conclusion of The Following. It aims to capture the essence of the franchise while proving it can overcome the sophomore slump that plagued the content structure and optimization of Dying Light 2: Stay Human. Everyone is thrilled to see Kyle Crane return, but the real question is: how will this legendary survivor fare in the new setting of Castor Woods? I had the chance to find out at the hands-on event held in Shanghai.

Having spent so much time as a lab rat, Kyle Crane has emerged into a world that feels decidedly more hard-boiled than its predecessors. The melee combat is grittier, and the actions of both Kyle and the undead are far more dynamic. The desperation of the infected—lunging at the survivor with primal instinct—is highlighted, and the animations when swarmed by multiple zombies have seen a significant upgrade.

Even with the gore options dialled down for this hands-on build, the visceral impact was on par with the standard settings of Dying Light 2. Blood spatters, realistic physics, and environmental effects like zombies contaminating vehicles make the world feel alive. Hit detection is more forgiving, with hitboxes distributed across the entire anatomy of the undead. If a biter swings an arm, and you strike that limb, you will see the enemy stagger back as if parried.

Crucially, The Beast introduces a standout feature: 'Beast Mode.' Thanks to the zombie DNA coursing through those veins, Kyle Crane can tap into the same raw strength as the many mutated monstrosities faced throughout the series to tear enemies apart.

Beast Mode triggers once the gauge beneath the health bar is filled, though it can be manually cancelled by pressing Z+X simultaneously. In this state, Kyle Crane can unleash the stomp techniques of mutated zombies or hurl heavy objects with ease. Ripping a Chimera limb from limb—a foe that would usually force a survivor to flee—delivers a cathartic shift in power dynamics.

The most notable departure from Dying Light 2: Stay Human is the return of the vehicle system. An evolution of the Buggy from The Following DLC, the driving mechanics are now more grounded and realistic. The navigation system has also been improved, with arrows appearing on the ground so as not to clutter the field of view during chaotic encounters.

Collision detection and interaction with the infected have become incredibly precise. Zombies will climb onto the car and smash their heads against the windshield, and hitting them will visibly damage the bumper and engine bay. While the core mechanics like durability and fuel management remain consistent with the previous 'Buggy,' the visual feedback significantly deepens the immersion.

The setting, 'Castor Woods,' is a unique blend of the Swiss Alps and Polish highlands. True to its status as a tourist destination, the architecture is quite antique, and the mountainous terrain provides significant verticality and bridge-heavy navigation. You can still grab onto almost any ledge, and with the increased density of the undead, dropping into the fray is easier than ever.

While the grappling hook was absent in this build, its potential inclusion would undoubtedly skyrocket the pace of traversal. Given the sheer convenience and speed the hook offered in previous entries, fans are eager to see how it integrates into this new, dense landscape.

With the environment becoming more extreme and brutal, quality-of-life adjustments have been made to facilitate faster decision-making and crafting. The most welcome change is the ease of equipment management; features like the repair system, which were notably absent at the launch of Dying Light 2: Stay Human, are present from the start here.

The core 'Day and Night' cycle feels like a return to the original Dying Light. The 'Biomarker' bracelet, which made immunity a constant source of anxiety, is gone, replaced by the return of Kyle Crane's wristwatch. The passage of time and celestial movements are captured with much greater detail than before.

While it's too early to pass judgment on the narrative, the presentation feels tighter than in Dying Light 2. Camera work and the visceral impact of combat have both seen major overhauls. My only concern is how the side quests—often a sticking point in the previous game—are paced. Since the developers are pushing this as a tale of 'revenge,' the success of the game will hinge on how well they weave the justification for this vendetta and the complex relationships between factions.