Much to my own surprise, I loved the hell out of Dying Light when I got a chance to play an alpha version of the zombie survival game. Made by the same folks who brought you Dead Island, I was expecting it to be much of the same. It’s not though. It’s a tense, terrifying experience, with a crazy day/night cycle that ramps up the immediacy of it all.
A new video from Techland shows that cycle in action. This is actually the very mission I played – and as you’ll see, you’ll be avoiding the hordes of zombies rather than just killing them And that’s in the day. Once night falls, it gets even worse and the undead become increasingly formidable – and you’ll have to use your wits to survive. By the time I reached that final checkpoint, I was genuinely shaking. If the whole game’s that good, we’re going to be in for one heck of a thrill ride.
Here’s what Techland says of its zombies.
"Slow, apathetic, and easily visible, the infected are not much of a threat in daylight. But this relatively safe state of affairs is turned upside down as the sun sets. At night, it is you who is at a disadvantage. Without daylight, the senses of the infected become more acute while their thirst for human flesh skyrockets. They run, jump, and climb, so there is really no place where you are safe anymore."
The game is coming in what I’d imagine to be early 2015 (even though release dates are still officially 2014), and will hit old and new gen consoles, as well as PC. Maybe by then people will be over being over zombies.
Last Updated: December 18, 2013
Acornbread
December 18, 2013 at 11:09
This is looking really awesome, hope it turns out well. Didn’t enjoy Dead Island at all, despite wanting to.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 11:13
I pretty much hated Dead Island. Same boat though; I wanted to love it. From what I’ve played of Dying Light, it seems genuinely good.
Acornbread
December 18, 2013 at 11:41
Zombies for life I say, but we’re in dire need of something proper. Besides Telltale’s The Walking Dead, I haven’t played anything that got my attention. State of Decay was promising but got boring too quickly. Is DayZ worth checking out? I see it’s in alpha or something on Steam….
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 11:55
I’d stay away from the Alpha, to be honest.
Rock789
December 18, 2013 at 11:11
Thanks for the vid Geoff – been looking for some more Dying Light ever since I watched the first gameplay video about a month back on YouTube… And was totally blown away! This game seriously has my attention. Also watched a vid of someone actually playing the demo and it really looked slick so far – good looking, fluid and with an environment that encourages tense stand-offs.
From everything I’ve seen, I’m VERY interested in this game. It’s like a mesh of Mirrors Edge and Dead Island, but with seemingly better game mechanics. Can’t wait to find out more.
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 11:35
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
-Dylan Thomas
Umar Bravely Default
December 18, 2013 at 12:06
Never until the mankind making
Bird beast and flower
Fathering and all humbling darkness
Tells with silence the last light breaking
And the still hour Is come of the sea tumbling in harness
-Dylan Thomas
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 12:18
Jack and Jill went up a hill,
To smoke some Marijuana.
Jack got high unzipped his fly,
And Jill said “I don’t wanna.”
—————————————
Jack and Jill went up a hill,
To have a little fun.
Stupid Jill forgot her pill,
And now they have a son.
– Not Dylan Thomas
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 12:21
Darryn in all of his splendour
Has no luck with opposite gender
Though you’ll probably see
He’s a fan of “the D”
And it’s fitting that we call him Brenda
– Geoff
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 12:21
Hahaha
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 12:38
As a true knight in shining armor
I will try to defend Brenda’s honor
He might suck at the opposite gender
But will never do the same with a member
And even though he is fine
He will always decline
To cross swords with a man in full splendor
RinceGivesRspectsToMadiba
December 18, 2013 at 12:40
BOOM!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 12:43
I feel that you’re wasting your time
Your writing is almost a crime
Your structure’s all wrong
It reads more like a song
And so few of your sentences rhyme.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 12:50
I’m sorry to seem impolite
And you must think me rather uptight
But a limerick has form
And I’d be rather warm
If you just got the syllables right.
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 12:54
There once was a writer named Geoff
His face was just a slightly bit off
Now some say thats racist
Even more say its lacist
But Im happy to tell them to fuckoff
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 13:03
I’m sorry to say “What the eff?”
That’s really not how you say “Geoff”
You’ve fucked up my name
Which is really a shame
‘Cos you’ve made it sound pretty zef.
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 13:46
Sorry Geoff for messing your name
Game of Thrones really altered the same
Now talking about fucked up
Tell your mom I say whats up
And go back to playing your games
Her Highness the Hipster
December 18, 2013 at 13:09
Now Geoff was a pretty nice guy
Was never even prone to lie
Except when rhyming
Leading to crying
And Gavin telling him to die
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
December 18, 2013 at 12:52
Sniff, that was beautiful.
Her Highness the Hipster
December 18, 2013 at 13:04
hey, what about my honor? 😛
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 13:16
hey I tried
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 13:27
This may not work out as you planned,
While the words that you’ve used all sound grand
His honour is moot
There’s no real dispute
‘cos he’s only had sex with his hand
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 13:35
Now all of this I understand
As Darryn, like me, is quite bland
But how did you know?
Do you like to watch bro?
And how long till you offer a hand
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 13:42
I’m going to be pretty blunt.
I’m perturbed that you shelter this runt
Why be on his side
When he’s rather quite snide
And he’s actually really a…terrible person.
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 13:56
When you put it that way it really does bring the point across.
RinceGivesRspectsToMadiba
December 18, 2013 at 12:38
HAHAHAHAH!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
December 18, 2013 at 12:36
There once was a lady named Zoe,
Whose pallor was ashen and snowy
but despite pigmentation
abhorred segregation
And would often give a black dudes a blowie
– also Geoff
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 12:58
Wow… I’m reading this like it’s an epic rap battle!!
RinceGivesRspectsToMadiba
December 18, 2013 at 13:38
It is awesome 🙂 And as for the PS2… I got excited, then realized the chances of meeting you and getting it were about as likely as Tim competing with @OddSockZA:disqus or @codenametailgunner:disqus at rapping 😉
CodeName Tailgunner
December 18, 2013 at 13:16
Geoff finds himself in quite a mess
As Zoe has made him distressed
For once you go black
You never go back
And Geoff knows she wont settle for less
Stanley Watson
December 19, 2013 at 08:43
This thread of comments is indicative of part of Lazygamer’s awesomeness.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 11:36
I liked Dead Island and its sequel. They’re both underrated co-op games – with a super cool crafting system, but I wouldn’t put them in my top 20 games list. They’re far too flawed for that. But, I’m keen to play Dying lights. It’s almost as if they’re finally making the game they wanted to from the beginning.
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 11:42
Dead Island co-op was great. The sequel was a bit too much of a copy and paste deal for me, but the game itself was good fun. Spent many hours playing that game co-op. I’m a bit tired of zombie games though, feels like the industry is way too lazy (or just not creative enough) to come up with something fresh.
Umar Bravely Default
December 18, 2013 at 11:44
I think it was a bad game as much as people were more disappointed with it as they were expecting a serious zombie game with a heavy tale
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 11:46
I didn’t know a single thing about the game until I got. Probably why I liked it. That’s the problem with games being over hyped these days.
Umar Bravely Default
December 18, 2013 at 11:47
Yup, the initial Trailer really overHyped the game
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 11:54
Absolutely agree! Some of my most favourite games have been ones that I just stumbled upon – Saints Row, Tearaway, Dragon Dogma, Spec Ops the Line, Infamous, Killzone… etc.
These are games that I knew nothing about, played them and thought :”HOLY MEATBALLS OF AWESOME”
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 11:56
Completely. I just stumbled upon Skryim. Imagine that. Then went back and tried Oblivion.
I see now the Admiral is on Steam playing Fallout NV. Lucky bastard.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 11:52
Don’t forget that incredible trailer. That trailer put the game on the map, but it also left people frustrated because the game and the trailer were so different in tone and scope. Dead Island isn’t an emotional game, it’s a skop-skiet-en-donder game with zombies. That trailer made it seem that it would be what Last of Us eventually became.
Umar Bravely Default
December 18, 2013 at 11:59
EXACTLY. I was of that people…When I first saw that trailer, I was like, this is the apocalypse game I was waiting for my entire life…..just didn’t turn out that way
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 12:00
At least we got Last of us! 😀
Umar Bravely Default
December 18, 2013 at 12:01
Which by far has the best tale of them all. If I want Zombie Survival I can play State of Decay too 🙂
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 16:20
Yep, I enjoyed State of Decay. I’m especially keen to see what they can do with a bigger budget. State of Decay 2 should be something.
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 12:01
That’s the only PS game that I have on my wishlist.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 11:57
I agree, I think Zombies, Space Marines and Modern Warfare are three tropes that have been overplayed this last gen. Hopefully, ninjas will get some love again. I miss ninja games… 😀
But I think after Asscreed 4, we might get inundanted with pirate games, which would be fine with me. Man I love sailing in games….
lol one of the reasons why I loved Two Worlds 2 and Zelda Windwker… Just give me a boat and areas to explore…. = Happy banana!
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 11:59
I just want Dinosaurs. But a proper game with a story.
Ninjas can work too though.
I must be honest. I’m a big Warhammer 40k fan, so those are the only Space Marines for me and I’m not tired of them yet.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 18, 2013 at 12:07
Dude… I;ve been wanting Dinosaur-anything for decades now. I’m even thinking of getting the Walking with Dinosaur wonderbook (PS3). There was even a dinosaur paleobiology course on coursera….
Sniff.. it makes me feel like a little kid again!
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 18, 2013 at 12:10
Mmm. Yes. Turok didn’t quite do it justice and most of the other games these days with dinosaurs in are all MP.
Acornbread
December 18, 2013 at 12:58
Turn-based strategy along the lines of Civilization with a Terra Nova-esque backdrop, build your colony and defend it from others, plus DINOSAURS. 😛
Tidycpc
December 19, 2013 at 10:00
Looks good