Dying Light: The Beastbrings a brand-new chapter of the franchise to life. Following the 2022 sequelDying Light 2,Dying Light: The Beastfeatures something that many fans of the zombie series have been asking for; the return of Kyle Crane. As the original protagonist inDying Light, Kyle Crane’s fate was up in the air, as there are several possible endings.
Thankfully,Dying Light: The Beastreveals thatKyle Crane is alive and well, at least for the most part. After fighting to save the people of Harran from the Infected, Kyle has been locked away as a test subject. 13 years of experimentation has put Kyle through hell, and his DNA and the zombie infection are now intertwined, giving him beast-like powers. While his captivity is a shocking revelation, this story arc continues a long-running protagonist trope of putting main characters through the wringer to make them even more compelling.
Kyle Crane’s Continuous Struggles Help Make Him a Fascinating Protagonist
Kyle Crane Has Spent Over a Decade in Captivity
There are likely to be plenty of surprises inDying Light: The Beast, but there are already several confirmed features that teaseanother harrowing journey for Kyle. Over a decade of being experimented on has likely changed him in a variety of ways, and this trauma combined with his beast-like powers are setting him up to be an even more complex and sympathetic character. Kyle’s selflessness and determination to help the people of Harran was admirable, but this time around, he also has revenge on the brain. Details on the game’s official Steam page state, “After 13 years of enduring experiments, you escape and hunt down your captors to seek retribution, only to discover there’s far more at stake.”
Set in the once-thriving tourist destination of Castor Woods, Kyle will be sent on a quest for survival that has him hunting the people responsible for his powers while also trying to help the surviving citizens of the location. The remaining factions and civilians in Castor Woods hold both friend and foe, and all of this combined with a mission of retribution and surviving the horrifying Infected brings Kyle his biggest challenge yet.Dying Light: The Beasthas teased a compelling story, and Kyle’s struggle in the narrative brings even more trauma to the beloved character.
After 13 years of enduring experiments, you escape and hunt down your captors to seek retribution, only to discover there’s far more at stake.
How Much More Trauma Will Kyle Have to Endure?
All of these ingredients combined add up to an incredibly hard time for Kyle Crane. While the ending of this upcoming story is unclear, it raises the question of whether he will ever get a happy ending or not.The story ofDying Light: The Beastexpands on his determination to help survivors from the Infected, but it will also be hard to see such a great protagonist have to suffer even more.
Dying Light: The Beastwill also feature a four-player co-op mode.
The Wait for More Dying Light: The Beast News Continues
A new trailerrevealed at The Game Awards 2024offered compelling hints at whom the game’s main antagonist is likely to be. Titled “Meet the Baron”, the teaser trailer gives a glimpse into what kinds of experimentation Kyle has been put through. While it may be hard to watch Kyle go through more trials and pain, the trope of a protagonist who puts themselves in harms way to ensure the protection of others has always been a strong road to go down when trying to draw audiences into a narrative.
As of now,Kyle Crane’s return inDying Light: The Beastis slated to arrive sometime in 2025. While there has yet to be an official release date locked in, the highly-anticipated return of this character promises a story filled with noble pursuits, but also plenty of hardships.
Dying Light: The Beast
WHERE TO PLAY
Dying Light: The Beast is a thrilling standalone zombie adventure set in the post-apocalyptic Castor Woods, a once-popular tourist destination. After 13 years of enduring experiments, you escape and hunt down your captors to seek retribution, only to discover there’s far more at stake. While the region is not as populated as it once was, there are still people and factions here, as well as plenty of horrors. Some will ask for your help, others will want to kill you. And that’s not to mention the mysterious creature that’s turned the woods into its personal hunting grounds.BECOME THE LEGENDARY HEROYou are Kyle Crane, the man whose selflessness during the initial virus outbreak saved many from a fate worse than death. After more than a decade in captivity, you find yourself in a world that’s changed, and not for the better. Now, you’ll need to use the survival skills that kept you alive all those years ago to save even more innocent lives.EXPLORE A TIGHTLY-CRAFTED OPEN WORLDWelcome to Castor Woods! This once-bustling tourist destination is home to a diminishing number of survivors and an increasing population of zombies. Featuring natural landmarks, small villages and industrial complexes, the setting offers diverse traversal options, whether it’s using your parkour skills to gain the upper hand on your enemies or hopping into an abandoned 4x4 to outrun the horrors of the night.UNLEASH THE BEAST TO SURVIVEThey caged you like an animal. Years of brutal experimentation took its toll, but the zombie DNA and yours are now intertwined so that you are able to unleash a beast-like power. It flows through your veins. No one can take it from you. Use it. And you’ll discover it’s not just a curse.SAVOR THE DAY, OUTLAST THE NIGHTThe day brings many possibilities to explore the region and make the most of your time while the sun is still out. But after sundown, the laws of nature take their course. Darkness tends to bring out the worst in the horde, leaving you with no other choice but to run, hide, or fight.SURVIVING IS EASIER IN 4-PLAYER CO-OPSometimes it’s best to stick to a group. You never know what you might come across on your adventure. Team up in up to 4-player co-op, or ride solo if you have the guts to take it all on your own.
