Dying Light: The Beastwill feature no player choices and will instead follow a linear story, unlike the previous installments. Predictably, the controversial move will eliminate alternative endings, but it might turn out to be one ofDying Light: The Beast’s strengths.
SinceDying Light: The Beast’s announcement, fans have been speculating about bold moves from developer Techland. The new installment looks and feels like a step in a fresh direction, one that will transform the franchise, hopefully without betraying its roots. However, few expected it to drop one of the series' signature storytelling elements along the way.
In aninterview with GamesRadar+, game director Tymon Smektala revealed thatDying Light: The Beastwill feature no choices. “I think moving forward, we would like to be a little bit more canonical,” he said. Explaining the reasoning behind this decision, Smektala claimed that linear storytelling better suits the developer’s plans for the franchise. “We kind of want to be able to be sure that [the story] drives where we want it to drive,” he explained.
Dying Light: The Beast Will End the ‘Canon, Non-Canon’ Debates for Good
Smektala believes that giving players choices comes with a big responsibility, as it often falls on the developer to decide which events are canon and which are not. He points to theGears 5ending as an example of the dilemma that can arise from alternative plot conclusions. “By continuing with a sequel that only canonizes one of [the] endings, you’re somewhat disregarding the decision that half the playerbase made,” he says. It’s worth noting thatDying Light’s own ending has sparked ongoing debates, with fans still arguing over which plot points are truly canon.
Based on Smektala’s recent claims, it appears thatDying Lightis aiming to unify its timeline, establish one true storyline, and move forward with linear, single-player campaigns. For some, that’s a bold move that could make or break future installments. After all, it introduces a new version of protagonists like Kyle Crane—one that’s no longer malleable and has to stick to his path. But it could also be just what the franchise needs, helping it appeal to a broader audience as a linear,story-driven FPS.
While moving away fromDying Light’s signature decision-makingmay seem risky, it could benefit the franchise’s longevity. It may help avoid turning the story into a multiverse-like web of interwoven events, making future expansions more manageable. Of course, only time will tell whether removing player decisions will save or sink theDying Lightfranchise. But one thing is clear: developer Techland is committed to letting the series grow and evolve, even if it means sacrificing some of its core selling points along the way. Players curious about how this change will impact gameplay should mark September 19 on their calendars, as that’s whenThe Beastis set to launch.
