Now that Dying Light: The Beast has a release date, the hype is truly ramping up. The upcoming third entry in one of the best zombie game franchises ever is set to launch on August 22, as revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025, which means we are only a few short months away from our reunion with the series' OG hero.
That's right: not only does Dying Light: The Beast feature a tighter narrative experience (as well as a much scarier one, now developer Techland has acknowledged Dying Light 2's lack of fear factor), Kyle Crane will be back in action. The upcoming horror games takes place some 13 years since Crane was assumed dead at the end of Dying Light 1, and after so many years subjected to cruel human experiments, Crane has some, uh, pretty hardcore abilities of his own for players to contend with. Let's just say, you won't like him when he's angry...
Or maybe you will. Building on one of the best horror games ever made, Techland's new game is both an evolution and homage to the series' roots as a first person survival horror adventure. Now that we finally have the finish line in sight, here's everything you need to know about Dying Light: The Beast this summer.
This Dying Light: The Beast guide hub was updated on June 19, adding some interview and gameplay information following a recent deep dive.
Dying Light: The Beast release date
Techland has confirmed that Dying Light: The Beast is launching on August 22, 2025. Pre-orders are live now, too, with every purchase including the exclusive Hero of Harran pre-order bonus featuring an outfit cosmetic for Kyle, weapons, and a snazzy new vehicle to drive him around Castor Woods in.
Dying Light: The Beast platforms
Dying Light: The Beast will launch on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One platforms when it releases on August 22. If you fancy a refresher before the new game hits, check out our Dying Light 2 review!
Dying Light: The Beast gameplay
Techland lifted the lid on Dying Light: The Beast's gameplay, thanks to a brilliant new 30-minute deep dive demonstration shown above. The game retains the first-person action viewpoint you'll recall from Dying Light 1 and 2, only this time, the world is that much more alive. Dynamic weather and improved visuals make for sharper immersion, while the introduction of vehicles in the mainline series following their popularity in the first game's DLC sets a new precedent for the series going forward.
We also get a taste of what exactly makes Kyle Crane "The Beast". Much like The Hulk, Crane's mounting rage while taking or inflicting damage can cause him to lose control of his emotions and unleash his inner animal, ripping zombies apart with his bare hands in a fit of untamed anger. It's a far cry from the management sim-esque nature of Aiden's biomarker in Dying Light 2, turning emotion into a resource in itself, as players will no doubt need to balance Kyle's agitation to ensure he doesn't lose his cool at the wrong time. If he does? Well... I'm sure we'll find out come August 22.
Besides Kyle's anger management issues, Dying Light: The Beast retains all the key gameplay features we expect from the series. Think up close and personal melee combat, parkouring around zombie-infested streets, crafting all manner of survival tools... and this time, a greater focus being put on gunplay, too.
Is Dying Light: The Beast DLC or a standalone game?
Now, here’s an interesting situation. Speaking to GamesRadar+ at Gamescom 2024, Dying Light franchise director Tymon Smektala explained that The Beast actually started development as a DLC expansion for Dying Light 2 but eventually morphed into a fully standalone game. This partly coincided with an expanded scope but also a pretty severe leak in which multiple story details for The Beast were circulated online.
However, there is a tie to Dying Light 2. It turns out that anyone who purchased Dying Light 2’s Ultimate Edition can get The Beast entirely for free at no additional charge. Techland is basically doing this as a 'thank you' to its supporters. Still, the developer has also announced that the Ultimate Edition of the horror sequel will be delisted from digital storefronts in the near future, so act quickly.
How long is Dying Light: The Beast?
We actually already know the answer to this question: Dying Light: The Beast will be over 18 hours in total length, according to a tweet from developer Techland shortly after the reveal.
While we were developing Dying Light: The Beast it has outgrown its original scope. We're now delivering a full 18+ hours standalone adventure instead of just a DLC. We will be honoring our promise to our long-time supporters and deliver Dying Light: The Beast to current Ultimate…August 23, 2024
Given that developers and publishers typically like to tout game length at the maximum possible value, it seems highly likely that the 18-odd hours won’t just include the main story content but also optional side content as well.
Dying Light: The Beast trailer
It’s the trailer just above that announced Dying Light: The Beast to the world at Gamescom 2024. The trailer sets up the overarching storyline of the new game as returning protagonist Kyle Crane embarks on a mission of vengeance against the mysterious people who held him captive for over a decade.
It turns out Crane has been infected with zombie DNA, which grants him the supremely powerful abilities we’re seeing in the trailer just above. Additionally, The Beast’s trailer makes it abundantly clear that Crane did, in fact, survive the events of both the original Dying Light and its DLC expansion, The Following.
The Dying Light: The Beast release window announcement trailer above, titled "Meet the Baron," debuted at The Game Awards 2024. In it, audiences are introduced to the undoubtedly evil Baron, most likely the game's main antagonist, and have a glimpse into how Kyle Crane managed to escape captivity. Along with new first-person combat and vehicle gameplay, the trailer ends with a splash screen confirming its targeted Summer 2025 release window. Better start those knee stretches, because it's almost time to parkour through another zombie-infested dystopia.
For more brand new titles set to launch next year and beyond, you can read up on our upcoming PS5 games guide for a list of Sony’s exclusives and our upcoming Xbox Series X/S games guide for a look at Microsoft’s titles.
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