Dying Light: The Beast Prioritizes Immersive Open-World Density

Dying Light: The Beast strives to deliver one of the most immersive open-world experiences available. Discover the vision behind this ambitious project from franchise director Tymon Smektala.

Dying Light: The Beast Crafts a Highly Immersive Open World

Blending the Best of Both Dying Light Games

In open-world gaming, vastness doesn't guarantee quality, and Tymon Smektala, director of Dying Light: The Beast, believes scale is secondary to experience. In a recent GamesRadar+ interview, Smektala emphasized that Techland’s newest parkour-infused zombie adventure doesn’t aim to compete with sprawling titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Grand Theft Auto in map size. Instead, it focuses on creating one of the most engaging and densely packed open worlds available.

“Open worlds thrive on immersion, not just size,” Smektala told GamesRadar+. This stance challenges the trend of icon-cluttered maps dominating modern games. Reflecting on Dying Light 2 in a separate GamesRadar+ interview, he acknowledged that its ambition to appeal to a broader AAA audience may have diluted the raw charm of the original Dying Light.

“We may have stumbled in some areas,” Smektala admitted, noting Dying Light 2’s strong sales of five million copies in its debut month of February 2022. However, feedback from dedicated fans highlighted a shift toward accessibility that sometimes overshadowed the franchise’s core strengths.

Dying Light: The Beast seeks to rectify this. Players will navigate the infected expanse of Castor Woods, a tightly designed map brimming with interactivity. While it may not match the vast 80 square kilometers of Elden Ring’s world—Dying Light 2’s map was under 10% of that—Techland prioritizes depth over breadth.

“Many open-world games have active hubs with empty spaces between,” Smektala explained to GamesRadar+. “Our goal is a Dying Light experience where players are constantly engaged, always interacting with the environment and controls.”

This approach shapes The Beast’s setting. The “Explore Castor Woods” Behind the Beast video showcases a decayed urban landscape, from abandoned hotels and crumbling streets to overgrown national park forests. Every corner teems with parkour opportunities and lurking dangers, true to the Dying Light legacy.

Zombies naturally amplify the world’s threats, but Smektala stresses that immersion drives density. “You’re always alert, fully in the moment, absorbed in the experience,” he said.

With The Beast, Smektala aims to balance the strengths of both prior titles. “We’re targeting AAA polish while preserving the essence of Dying Light,” he said. “If players feel the raw energy of the first game alongside stunning visuals and refined gameplay, we’ll consider that a success.”

As the August 22 release approaches, it remains to be seen how The Beast will resonate with players. Smektala’s focus suggests Techland is honing in on what truly matters. Stay updated with the latest on Dying Light: The Beast in our article below!