Techland has made a decision that has generated a lot of buzz in the gaming community: to include firearms in its upcoming title, Dying Light: The Beast. This move comes after criticism received for the low presence of these in Dying Light 2, an option that, while consistent with the game’s narrative, disappointed many fans who felt that the experience was limited. During the Summer Game Fest 2025, the team behind the game shared details about this new direction, which aims to integrate firearms without sacrificing the brutality and physics of the melee combat that characterizes the series.
To Arms
Tymon Smektala, project director, mentioned in an interview that, although the post-apocalyptic world of Dying Light 2 justified the use of improvised weapons, many players were clamoring for the inclusion of firearms: The first thing we heard after the launch was ‘where are the guns?’. This led Techland to reconsider its design, seeking to find a balance between player preferences and their creative vision for the game.
In Dying Light: The Beast, weapons will not dominate the game, but will serve as an additional tool within a combat system that continues to focus on immediacy and physical brutality. Smektala emphasized that the design of each weapon has been made with the goal of maintaining the essence of the saga, replicating the feeling of vulnerability that the player experiences when facing hordes of zombies. We wanted the weapons not to break the game, he stated, reflecting the constant challenge of balancing gameplay with narrative.
As development progresses, Techland seems determined to provide players with an experience that honors the legacy of the series, aligning with the community’s expectations while maintaining the essence that made it stand out in a saturated market of similar titles.