Announced during Gamescom in August, Dying Light: The Beast is set to be the next entry in the almost decade-old zombie/parkour franchise, and it's already making some bold decisions. According to interviews with Techland just following the game's announcement, Dying Light: The Beast originally began life as the second story DLC for Dying Light 2, but its scope continued to expand during development. Dying Light: The Beast will now release as a full 10-hour standalone adventure.
But while its promise of 10 hours of content is exciting, it's the game's confirmed protagonist that really has fans excited. After years of mystery, Kyle Crane is finally returning as a Dying Light protagonist. But if Crane's back, it poses some intriguing questions about the future of the Dying Light franchise.
Dying Light: The Beast Poses Some Interesting Protagonist-Related Questions
Dying Light: The Beast Is Bringing Back Kyle Crane
The very first protagonist of the Dying Light franchise, fans followed Kyle Crane throughout his adventures in the infected walled city of Harran. Through Crane's eyes, fans first experienced the intense, fast-paced zombie-slashing, wall-running gameplay of Dying Light, and that strong first impression forged a strong bond between many fans and Kyle Crane.
In Dying Light's The Following expansion, players take control of Kyle Crane again as he searches for a cure for the virus in the countryside surrounding Harran. Crane encounters a cult who claims they've cured the virus and are willing to share its secrets with him if he assists them with a few chores. One of the DLC's endings sees Crane being forced to drink an elixir that will turn him into a sentient Volatile, remaining human by day, but turning into a feral zombie at night. The other ending sees him siding with the cult and nuking Harran.
Set 22 years after the first game and its DLC, Dying Light 2 makes a few references to Kyle Crane, but his fate is never directly confirmed. While some NPCs mention that Crane met a tragic end, they never say what that end was. It seems as though Dying Light: The Beast will finally answer those questions, with the game being set 13 years after The Following.
Who Will Dying Light 3's Protagonist Be?
Fans have waited eight years to find out what happened to Kyle Crane, and the anticipation to see the character again in Dying Light: The Beast is immense. But with such a beloved character now back in the spotlight, it raises questions about a potential Dying Light 3, and who the sequel's protagonist could be.
Dying Light: The Beast could close the book on Crane's story for good, concluding with the protagonist meeting the tragic end that Dying Light 2's NPCs talk about. This would pave the way for another brand new protagonist to take center stage in a hypothetical Dying Light 3. But Kyle Crane is incredibly popular among fans, and Techland knows it.
If Dying Light: The Beast doesn't give Kyle Crane's story a definitive end, then it could result in a pretty sharp double-edged sword. On one hand, keeping Kyle Crane alive would let Techland use the beloved character again to spice up future Dying Light entries. But on the other hand, keeping Crane alive could also lead to some fans being disappointed if he doesn't return.
Dying Light: The Beast
- Released
- September 19, 2025
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Techland
- Publisher(s)
- Techland
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Dying Light
- PC Release Date
- September 19, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- September 19, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- September 19, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
