The upcoming action-survival horror game Dying Light: The Beast reintroduces the original game’s protagonist, Kyle Crane, who has been held in captivity for several years by a mysterious, enigmatic individual known as The Baron. As a prisoner, Kyle has undergone plenty of mental and physical changes, some decidedly more dramatic than others, and players must learn how to navigate these changes as Kyle makes his escape.
Game Rant recently spoke with franchise director Tymon Smektala about how Dying Light: The Beast may influence the franchise’s future. He was keen to underline just how important this entry is for the franchise, and how Kyle Crane’s return was always on the cards. He also explained how future Dying Light entries have already been considered.
Kyle Crane Was Always Planned to Return to the World of Dying Light
Kyle Crane was absent from Dying Light 2, barring a few Easter eggs, and fans have clamored for the truth of The Following DLC for years. The franchise may have turned away from him for a short time, which was evidently torture for Kyle, but he was always set to return. Smektala explained that it was also Techland’s intention to bring him back, although perhaps not quite this soon, but it became clear that Dying Light: The Beast was his story in its earliest days. Overall, Smektala said,
“We knew that he’d return at some point, so we just hurried our plans a little. Yet, in the end, it all made sense. Is there a better way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dying Light than to have the original Hero of Harran returning?”
Dying Light: The Beast Will Form a Solid Base For Future Entries in the Series
Even before Dying Light: The Beast is officially released, Techland already has one eye on the franchise’s future. Smektala recognizes the significance of the game’s release in the same year as Dying Light‘s 10th anniversary, believing it can form a solid foundation for future entries. Of course, all attention and efforts are currently on The Beast, but the franchise has plenty of room to grow and that’s promising for its future.
When asked how the team feels about the game’s launch, Smektala revealed:
“It’s always a mix of hope and anxiety, but to be honest, we feel rather good and confident about Dying Light: The Beast. The feeling is very similar to what we had right before the release of the first Dying Light. There’s something special about this project, and we’re just keeping our fingers crossed for players to see it. And for the franchise, I hope Dying Light: The Beast will be a good, strong exclamation mark, making a statement for the 10th anniversary of the series. We already have ideas for future Dying Light games and projects, so we hope that Dying Light: The Beast—along with both previous games—will form a very strong foundation for these upcoming initiatives.”
Fans of the franchise will certainly be encouraged by Smektala’s words. The world of Dying Light continues to grow bigger with each installment, and it shows no signs of fatigue even after a decade. Techland knows its franchise inside out and takes fan feedback seriously, which will only benefit the Dying Light universe in current and future endeavors.
Dying Light: The Beast
- Released
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September 19, 2025
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Use of Drugs
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op
- Franchise
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Dying Light
- PC Release Date
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September 19, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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September 19, 2025
