Thriving Beast in Dying Light's Smaller Map: Every Square Inch Matters, Elevating Castor Woods as the Finest Open World in Series History
In the world of gaming, Techland has made a significant mark with their latest release, Dying Light: The Beast. The developer, known for their work on the Dying Light series, has found a solution to the style over substance problem that plagued the first game by merging the best of Dying Light 1 and 2's open worlds and dialing the map size back considerably.
Set in the picturesque suburban wilderness of Castor Woods, the game offers a beautiful open world with seamless transitions, thanks to Techland's meticulous work. Everything the eye can see is likely somewhere the player can explore, making Castor Woods a playground for adventure.
The open world is composed of regions like Old Town, Villa Area, and National Park, each with its unique characteristics. While Old Town is teeming with Infected, making it difficult to stroll through unnoticed, the more expansive natural areas have a lower enemy density compared to Old Town. This enemy placement encourages the use of parkour to get up onto rooftops, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay.
Kyle Crane, the original leading man, returns in Dying Light: The Beast. The story, fully controlled by Techland, provides an immensely satisfying conclusion and contains 17 strong story quests and a handful of lengthy, well-crafted side missions. Hints of the people who once lived or worked in abandoned apartments, buildings, or lootable stores can be found throughout the game, further fleshing out the history of Castor Woods.
Scribbled notes, safe code memos, collectible files, and audio tapes can be discovered, offering insights into the past. The addition of guns, cars, and the return of the original leading man are notable differences in Dying Light: The Beast, making it a fresh yet familiar experience for fans of the series.
As players finish Dying Light: The Beast, they might find themselves yearning for more horror games. Fortunately, there are upcoming titles to look forward to, such as Silent Hill. Gazing out at the world from one of Kyle's many tower spots takes the writer's breath away, indicating a promising future for the series. The conclusion of Dying Light: The Beast is heartpounding, leaving players on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next instalment. The Beast has certainly set a high bar for horror games, and it's one that Techland seems more than capable of meeting.
