Dying Light: The Beast Review – A Gory, Thrilling Return to Zombie-Slaying Chaos

Dying Light: The Beast, released on August 27, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, is a standalone expansion to Techland’s Dying Light series, bridging the gap between the original and Dying Light 2. Set in a new rural region, it casts players as Kyle Crane, now grappling with a monstrous infection. Earning a solid 79/100 (Generally Favorable), The Beast delivers a thrilling mix of parkour, zombie-slaying action, and a darker narrative, but repetitive missions and technical hiccups keep it from matching the series’ peaks. For fans of open-world horror, it’s a bloody good time that recaptures the franchise’s gritty charm in 2025.

A Darker Chapter in a Zombie Wasteland Set years after the original Dying Light, The Beast follows Kyle Crane, a returning protagonist now infected with a mutation that grants beast-like abilities. The 15–20-hour campaign unfolds in Castor Woods, a sprawling rural map with abandoned farms, dense forests, and eerie labs. The story dives into Crane’s struggle with his monstrous side while uncovering a corporate conspiracy behind the outbreak. The narrative is grittier than Dying Light 2’s, with strong voice acting and moral choices that impact the ending, though it lacks the emotional depth of 2025’s Silent Hill f. Compared to Dead Island 2, The Beast’s story is more focused but less polished, with pacing issues from repetitive side quests. X posts praise the tone: “Crane’s comeback is intense!” but note, “The story drags in spots.” Multiple endings and a New Game+ mode add replayability, keeping players invested.

Parkour and Combat with Monstrous Flair Gameplay blends Dying Light’s signature parkour with visceral melee combat. Crane’s enhanced abilities—like a claw-dash and rage-fueled strength—make traversal and fighting feel empowering, letting players leap across rooftops or tear through zombie hordes. Weapons, from machetes to electrified hammers, are satisfyingly brutal, with a crafting system for upgrades. The new “Beast Mode” lets Crane unleash feral attacks, adding a fresh twist, though it’s unbalanced, making some encounters too easy. Open-world exploration is a highlight, with dynamic events like survivor rescues, but missions often repeat objectives (clear camps, fetch items). Multiplayer shines with 4-player co-op and cross-play, though matchmaking can be slow. Accessibility options, like adjustable HUD and difficulty sliders, are robust, but the steep learning curve for parkour may frustrate newcomers. X users love the action: “Parkour and claws are awesome!” but gripe about repetition: “Too many fetch quests.” Compared to 2025’s Moros Protocol, The Beast’s gameplay is more polished but less innovative.

A Gritty World with Technical Scratches Visually, The Beast impresses with its post-apocalyptic vistas, running at 4K/60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Castor Woods’ overgrown fields and decaying barns are atmospheric, with dynamic day-night cycles affecting zombie behavior. Enemy designs, from mutated “Freaks” to hulking bosses, are grotesque, though textures lack detail up close. The soundtrack, with pulsing synths and eerie ambient tracks, sets the mood, but it’s less memorable than Dying Light 2’s. PS5’s DualSense haptics enhance immersion, with vibrations for melee strikes and parkour landings. Performance is solid, but PC players reported stuttering and crashes in dense areas, partially fixed by patches. Compared to 2025’s Platypus Reclayed, The Beast’s visuals are moodier but less consistent technically.

A Bloody but Familiar Outing Priced at $40, The Beast offers good value with extras like weapon skins and a survival challenge mode, but its repetitive missions disappoint. X feedback praises the action—“Crane’s beast mode is so fun!”—but notes flaws: “Bugs and samey quests hold it back.” Compared to Dead Space’s 2023 remake, it’s less groundbreaking but captures Dying Light’s core appeal. Techland delivers a solid expansion, but more variety could have elevated it.

Dying Light: The Beast earns its 79/100 for its thrilling parkour, gory combat, and atmospheric world, making it a must for series fans. Repetition and technical issues keep it from greatness, but its raw energy shines. Here’s hoping Techland sharpens the claws for the next chapter.