Zombie games have continued to be some of the most popular horror experiences out there. Legendaryfranchises likeResident EvilandCall of Duty Zombiesare still putting out new entries consistently. Mostly dormant franchises likeLeft 4 DeadandDead Risingare still being played today. And all-new entries to the zombie genre are appearing every day. Over the last decade, Techland’sDying Lighthas grown from being one of these newcomers to a genre staple.
Making its debut in 2015,Dying Lightfound success through its unique merging of parkour mechanics and zombie-slaying action. That success quickly spawned a DLC expansion for the original game and eventually a sequel in 2022. And now, a brand-new spinoff is in the works.Dying Lighthas a busy few months ahead of it, but it may have already kicked off a sort of ‘Hot Zombie Summer’ for the gaming industry.
Dying Light Has Just Ushered in a ‘Hot Zombie Summer’
Dying Light’s Retouched Update Is Out Now
Set to release later today (July 19, 2025), theoriginalDying Lightis getting a major new update designed to push the most out of the game’s now decade-old framework. Essentially, Techland has taken the improvements made to its in-house engine over the years, and retroactively applied them to the firstDying Light, improving the game’s technical performance across the board.
Some of the biggest changes coming withDying Light’s Retouched update include:
Techland has been very clear thatDying Light’s Retouched updateis not a full remaster of the game, but its improvements are noticeable, and it seems like the studio has put a great deal of time and effort into producing the free update.
Dying Light 2is still being updated fairly regularly. It received a new Tower Raid mode earlier this year.
Dying Light: The Beast Is Launching Later This Summer
ButDying Light’s Retouched update is just the first step in Techland’s self-proclaimed “Summer ofDying Light.” On Jun 17, 2025, Techland will releaseDying Light: The Beast, a fully-fledged spinoff that puts players back in the bloody boots ofDying Light 1protagonist Kyle Crane. Crane has been experimented on for the last 13 years by a sadistic man known as the Baron, and with his new beast-like powers, he sets off to earn his revenge.
Dying Light: The Beastwill take players toCastor Woods, a new rural settingfor the series that features a popular tourist town that’s surrounded by dense forests. Along with Kyle’s beast-like powers, players will use the series' trademark parkour mechanics, melee and ranged combat, and some new vehicles to complete the protagonist’s vengeful mission.
August 2025 has some big games releasing, such asMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake EaterandGears of War: Reloaded, butDying Light: The Beastshould be able to stand out from the crowd nicely.
Dying Light Isn’t The Only Zombie Franchise Getting in on ‘Hot Zombie Summer’
Dying Lightisn’t the only franchise getting in on the action this summer.Killing Floor 3is set to launch on July 24, beatingDying Light: The Beastto the punch by a whole month. But whileDying Light: The Beastwill focus on narrative-driven zombie-slaying action,Killing Floor 3dives head-first into undead co-op chaos.
Killing Floor’s enemies are technically bioengineered monsters called “Specimens,” but for all intents and purposes, it’s a zombie game by any metric.
