In many ways, Dying Light 2 is the gift that keeps on giving as developer Techland continues to drop more community-focused content for its player base. Dying Light 2's recent Winter Tales event update couldn't showcase this development approach more, something that has always been in the DNA of Techland. After all, Dying Light 1 got updates for years.
In an interview with The Best War Games, Dying Light Franchise Director Tymon Smektala spoke about its recently launched Dying Light 2's Winter Tales Event and explained how it is both a "gift" and a "love letter" to its community. Smektala also revealed more about Dying Light 2's plans regarding Community Maps, giving fans more insight into what to expect next from the franchise looking ahead to Dying Light 2's 2024 roadmap.
Dying Light's 2 Community-Focused Winter Tales Update
When asked about the Winter Tales' update, Smektala described it as a thank you to its community "like a little love letter from us to them." For those who have already jumped into the new content, it's clear how much this Winter Tales event builds on last year's Dying Light 2 Nutcracker Christmas event.
"...it's actually our thank you gift for the community, so they can enjoy some new Dying Light stuff by the end of the year."
Winter Tales does seem to have pulled out all the stops to appeal to its fanbase from new weapons like Polearms and enemy variants like Gas Tanks with freeze abilities to Elfish outfit rewards and of course snow. Although not the first time Dying Light 2 has resurrected techniques from Dying Light 1, Winter Tales also adds Santa drops as "some good loot to the citizens of Villedor" and a playful twist on the airdrop packages from the first game, something many fans are likely to appreciate as part of the festive season.
Dying Light 2's Plans For Community Maps And Content
Speaking about some of his favorite or proudest additions to Dying Light 2 in 2023, Smektala specified Community Update 3 as something that introduced several community-requested features to the game, which Smektala said was warmly received. Smektala added this was especially important as something that also reinforces Techland's standpoint as developers that really listen to their community and involve them in the design process. Dying Light 2's introduction of Community Maps and Community Ideas also showcases this approach, with Smektala also citing community-created maps like Heavy Rail and Return to the Slums as some of his personal favorites from this year. Reflecting on Community Maps, Smektala added,
We also feel this is a growing part of what Dying Light is, so we are constantly giving map creators new assets to play with.
Smektala also revealed Techland plans to support Community Maps even more in the future, plus other content and increased accessibility of community creations. As Smektala explained,
It's definitely something that we plan to support even more, giving more kind of options, more power to our dev tools, increasing the visibility of those maps in the game, and using our communication channels, social media, etc. We also have some plans that I would not like to spoil at this moment, but actually to increase the support to also some other type of content.
These plans could give players and content creators even more to look forward to in 2024, and something that could also help further set Dying Light 2 apart from Dead Island 2.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 68%
WHERE TO PLAY
It’s been 20 years since the events of the original game. The virus won, and humanity is slowly dying. You play as Aiden Caldwell, a wandering Pilgrim who delivers goods, brings news, and connects the few remaining survivor settlements in barren lands devastated by the zombie virus. However, your true goal is to find your little sister Mia, who you left behind as a kid to escape Dr. Waltz's torturous experiments. Haunted by the past, you eventually make the decision to confront it when you learn that Mia may still be alive in Villedor — the last city standing on Earth.
You quickly find yourself in a settlement torn by conflict. You’ll need to engage in creative and gory combat, so hone your skills to defeat hordes of zombies and make allies. Roam the city, free run across Villedor’s buildings and rooftops in search of loot in remote areas, and be wary of the night. With every sunset, monsters take control of the streets.
- Franchise
- Dying Light
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5
