Dying Light Review

Dying Light is a thrilling open-world zombie survival game developed by Techland. With its unique parkour mechanics, immersive world, and action-packed gameplay, it has captured the hearts of zombie survival enthusiasts. In this review, we'll dive deep into what makes Dying Light stand out in the genre.

Game Overview

Techland, the same studio behind the Dead Island series, developed Dying Light. It was released on January 27, 2015, and is available on platforms such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game is set in the fictional city of Harran, where players must navigate a zombie-infested world while completing various quests and objectives.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Core Gameplay Loop and Objectives

Dying Light's core gameplay revolves around the player's ability to traverse the open-world environment, engage in combat with zombies, craft weapons, and complete story-driven quests. The game features:

• Day and night cycles with different enemy behaviors
• Dynamic weather system
• A focus on parkour and verticality

Player Abilities and Skills

As players progress through the game, they can develop their character in three main skill trees:

1. Survivor: Improves resource management, crafting, and trading abilities
2. Agility: Enhances parkour abilities, movement, and evasion skills
3. Power: Boosts combat effectiveness and weapon proficiency

Players earn experience points in each skill tree by performing related actions, such as completing quests or engaging in combat.

Combat and Parkour Mechanics

Dying Light sets itself apart with its parkour mechanics, allowing players to navigate the world easily and fluently. Some notable features include:

• Climbing buildings and obstacles
• Jumping between rooftops
• Sliding under obstacles

Combat in Dying Light is brutal and intense, with various weapons and tools at the player's disposal. Players can:

• Craft and upgrade melee weapons
• Use firearms and ranged weapons
• Utilize traps and environmental hazards

Crafting and Resource Management

Crafting is essential to Dying Light, enabling players to create powerful weapons, tools, and consumables. To craft items, players need to:

• Scavenge for resources in the environment
• Learn blueprints and recipes
• Manage their inventory effectively

Resource management becomes increasingly important as players face tougher enemies and challenges.

Graphics and Audio

Visual Quality and Style

Dying Light boasts impressive graphics that bring the zombie-infested world of Harran to life. The game features:

• High-quality textures and detailed environments
• Realistic lighting and shadow effects
• Well-designed character models and animations

Audio Design and Soundtrack

The audio design in Dying Light contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game. Key elements include:

• Authentic and varied sound effects
• Immersive ambient noises
• A tense and atmospheric soundtrack

Immersion and Atmosphere

Dying Light excels at creating a tense and immersive atmosphere, amplified by its visual and audio design. The game encourages players to explore its detailed environments and experience the dynamic day-night cycle, which affects the behavior of the zombies.

Storyline and Characters

Overview of the Story

Dying Light follows the story of Kyle Crane, an undercover operative sent to infiltrate the quarantined city of Harran. His mission is to locate and retrieve a stolen file that contains sensitive information about the zombie outbreak. As Kyle, players will:

• Form alliances with various factions
• Uncover the truth behind the outbreak
• Make difficult choices that impact the narrative

Main Characters and Their Roles

Players will encounter several key characters throughout the game, each with their motives and contributions to the story. Some notable characters include:

• Jade Aldemir: A skilled parkour instructor and leader of a survivor group
• Rahim Aldemir: Jade's younger brother and an aspiring runner
• Rais: The ruthless and powerful antagonist who controls a large portion of Harran
• Dr. Zere: A scientist working on a potential cure for the zombie virus

Side Quests and Narrative Depth

In addition to the main storyline, Dying Light offers a variety of side quests that provide additional lore and world-building. These quests allow players to:

• Learn more about Harran and its inhabitants
• Discover hidden secrets and Easter eggs
• Gain valuable resources and experience points

Multiplayer and Co-op Features

Online Multiplayer Capabilities

Dying Light includes an online multiplayer component that allows players to team up with friends or strangers to tackle the challenges of Harran together. Multiplayer features include:

• Cooperative gameplay with up to 4 players
• The ability to join friends' games seamlessly
• Sharing of resources and experience points

Co-op Gameplay Options

Co-op in Dying Light provides various benefits, such as:

• Enhanced combat effectiveness through teamwork
• The ability to revive fallen teammates
• Access to unique cooperative challenges and events

PvP Modes

Dying Light also features a unique PvP mode called Be the Zombie. In this mode, one player plays a powerful zombie called the Night Hunter, while others play as human survivors. The Night Hunter must hunt down and kill the survivors before they can complete various objectives.

The Following Expansion

Overview of The Following Expansion

The following is a substantial expansion for Dying Light, released on February 9, 2016. It introduces a new area, storyline, and gameplay elements. The expansion is set in a vast countryside region outside Harran, where players will:

• Encounter new characters and factions
• Discover a mysterious cult and its secrets
• Uncover new information about the zombie outbreak

New Gameplay Elements and Features

The Following introduces several new features and improvements to Dying Light, such as:

• A drivable, customizable buggy for traversing the countryside
• New weapons, including crossbows and SMGs
• Enhanced skill trees and abilities

Additional Content and Storyline

The expansion offers a new storyline that ties into the main game and numerous side quests and activities. Players can expect 10-20 hours completing The Following's content.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dying Light is an outstanding zombie survival game that offers a fresh and engaging experience within the genre. Its unique parkour mechanics, gripping storyline, and robust multiplayer options make it a must-play for zombie survival enthusiasts. The game's open-world setting, combined with the dynamic day-night cycle and immersive audio-visual design, creates a tense and atmospheric experience that players will find hard to forget.

While Dying Light has minor flaws, such as repetitive side quests and occasional combat frustrations, these issues are overshadowed by the game's many strengths. The addition of The Following expansion further enriches the gameplay, providing even more content and an extended storyline for players to enjoy.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of zombie survival games or enjoy a thrilling, action-packed adventure, Dying Light is a must-try. The game's unique blend of parkour, combat, and exploration will keep you engaged for hours on end, and its rich world and memorable characters will leave you craving more.

If you're interested in exploring more games in the zombie survival genre, be sure to check out some of the other reviews on Zompedia.com:

• Unturned Review
• ZombiU Review
• Dead Matter Review
• 7 Days to Die Review
• The Forest Review
• DayZ Review
• Project Zomboid Review