Dying Light 2

Dying Light 2 is a first-person open-world action game in which we traverse a city overrun by zombies. The production is a continuation of the hit Dying Light from 2015. It features both a story-driven single-player mode and multiplayer. The Polish studio Techland, known for Dead Island or Call of Juarez series shooters, among others, is responsible for its creation.

Storyline

The action of Dying Light 2 takes place twenty years after the end of the first part, in 2034. The game continues the story presented in the first part of the series, but its knowledge is not required to understand the plot of the sequel. After the zombie outbreak in the city of Harran was brought under control, government and corporate scientists began to study the mutated strain of rabies that caused the tragedy. They sought commercial and military uses for it for profit. However, the pursuit of money leads to disaster, and in late 2021, the virus escapes from a Geneva research lab. The extremely contagious disease leads to a global pandemic, anarchy and the collapse of civilization. Within two years, almost the entire population of Earth is infected. There are only a few settlements left in the world and one city - Villedor, where the game is set.

The main protagonist of Dying Light 2 is Aiden Caldwell, who replaces Kyle Crane known from the previous game. Aiden is a Pilgrim, a person traversing the post-apocalyptic wastelands in search of a loved one. His journey leads him to Villedor, where he becomes embroiled in a war for influence between factions seeking control of the city. Unlike the previous installment, Dying Light 2's story is non-linear. Aiden can make decisions, support certain factions, make alliances with different people and make enemies depending on his choices.

Mechanics

The gameplay of Dying Light 2 does not differ significantly from its predecessor. In the game we explore a vast city filled with undead and hostile humans. The world is four times larger than the one known from the first part. Like the predecessor, the production has an extensive hand-to-hand combat system, allowing us to dismember opponents. In the game we also have access to firearms, but the basis of the gameplay is hand-to-hand combat. Aiden can fight with a variety of weapons, use environmental traps, throw enemies from rooftops and kill knocked down enemies with a powerful kick. The title contains complex crafting mechanics. Exploring the city we collect various resources, which we can use for useful items such as first aid kits or Molotov cocktails. We can also modify our weapons with them, increasing their strength or giving them additional properties.

This title also features extensive parkour-style movement possibilities, which depend on our hero's stamina bar (all actions require it - even holding on to the edge of the roof). In "two" there are twice as many animations related to jumping, running and other breakneck maneuvers. Aiden also received a few new moves, such as jumping from a height combined with softening the fall with an enemy's body or running on walls. A new element of the gameplay is the ability to sneak and eliminate enemies by surprise. The developers also took care of environmental puzzles based on stunts, requiring proper route planning. The developers also improved the AI of opponents, who can now change their fighting style during the clash.

Similarly to its predecessor, Dying Light 2 includes a day and night cycle that affects the behavior and strength of enemies. During the day we will face mostly humans and weak undead. After sunset, people return to safe shelters and the streets of Villedor are flooded with hordes of zombies. The streets become extremely dangerous, but the risk comes with abundant rewards. On the maps there are nests of the undead, which are empty when the zombies come out at night to feed. Infiltrating the nests we can find powerful weapons and useful items.

The biggest new element of Dying Light 2 is the faction system. Some city districts are deprived of water and electricity. If we restart the generators in the district, we can put it under the control of one of the three available factions in exchange for influence. Depending on the faction that controls it, the district changes. There are also other environmental objects placed in it, such as exploding trap cars, tyroleans or trampolines.

Game modes

In Dying Light 2 we can play alone or in the company of other players. The game's campaign can be played in smooth, four-player co-op. There is also a traditional multiplayer based on competition.

Technical issues

Dying Light 2 runs on an upgraded version of the Chrome Engine, called C-Engine. Thus, the game has a very attractive three-dimensional graphic design - both the city and the models of characters and monsters have been prepared with great attention to detail, and the views from the tops of tall buildings can be breathtaking. Realistic shadows and lighting also make a great impression.