Dying Light 2 Stay Human

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Dying Light 2 Stay Human is an open-world first-person survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players navigate a city plagued by zombies, using parkour movements and crafted weapons to survive. Decisions made throughout the game can have a significant impact on the story and world, providing a unique experience for each character's journey.

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Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 75,913 reviews

story7,202 positive mentions

stability4,060 negative mentions

story
31,068 mentions
23 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The story of *Dying Light 2* has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less engaging than its predecessor. While some appreciate the branching narrative and the impact of player choices, others criticize the plot for being predictable, poorly written, and filled with uninteresting characters. The pacing is often described as slow, with numerous fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay mechanics, parkour, and combat have been praised, suggesting that while the story may not shine, the game still offers enjoyable action and exploration.
- “The story is engaging, offering meaningful choices that shape the world and characters around you, while Aiden Caldwell's journey is compelling and emotional.”
- “Dying Light 2 offers a cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to team up and take on missions together.”
- “The branching storylines and multiple endings provide a level of replayability that is rare in the gaming world.”
- “The story pacing is abysmal, and while the gameplay and visuals may have improved in some aspects, the fact that I only have maybe 2 useful skills and one that only works 5% of the time so far sucks for 8 hours into the game.”
- “The dialogue is horrible, the quests are so generic they could be placed in any game.”
- “The story is weak and strains all willingness to suspend disbelief.”
gameplay
10,832 mentions
37 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Dying Light 2* has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the fluid parkour mechanics and engaging combat system, which enhance the overall experience of traversing the open world and battling zombies. However, criticisms often focus on the game's clunky mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and a lackluster story that fails to match the depth of its predecessor. While updates have improved some aspects, many players feel that the game still falls short of the high expectations set by the original *Dying Light*.
- “The gameplay is smooth, dynamic, and endlessly entertaining.”
- “The parkour and combat mechanics are excellent, making traversal fluid and thrilling.”
- “Dying Light 2 successfully combines engaging storytelling with exhilarating gameplay.”
- “The story pacing is abysmal, and while the gameplay and visuals may have improved in some aspects, the fact that I only have maybe 2 useful skills and one that only works 5% of the time so far sucks for 8 hours into the game.”
- “The mechanics are clunky and often just don't work or lag out. I honestly think the game ended up being a rush job towards the end of its creation.”
- “The gameplay is a huge downgrade from the first game, which is a shame.”
graphics
5,088 mentions
47 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics in *Dying Light 2* have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals, detailed environments, and impressive lighting effects, particularly with ray tracing enabled. Many players noted that the game runs well on high settings, although some experienced performance issues and graphical glitches, especially on lower-end hardware. Overall, while the graphics are a significant improvement over the first game, opinions vary on whether they meet the high expectations set by early trailers and promotional material.
- “The graphics look amazing!”
- “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, especially with ray tracing.”
- “The game boasts stunning visuals, with detailed character models, realistic lighting, and a richly textured world.”
- “The graphics in this game are horrendous!”
- “The graphics aren’t anything special either, which is disappointing for a game released in 2022.”
- “The graphics are worse, gameplay is worse, everything looks clunky, parkour isn't as smooth.”
stability
4,212 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of "Dying Light 2" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as a "buggy mess." Reviews frequently mention game-breaking glitches, particularly in co-op mode, where players experience issues like soft locks, disappearing NPCs, and unresponsive quests. While some players report that the game has improved since launch, with fewer bugs and better performance, the consensus is that it still requires substantial fixes to reach a satisfactory level of stability.
- “Very fun game and always runs great for me.”
- “Genuinely a fun and bug-free experience, the open world feels real and lived in - if not a bit repetitive.”
- “This is the cleanest release I've seen in a long time; it's not 100% glitch and bug free, and that's fine, but for the size and scope, it plays surprisingly well.”
- “Literally a shitfest of glitches.”
- “Buggy, zombies/humans spawning out of nowhere and for no reason while you're already fighting something, terrible map/tracking objectives, multiplayer is also terrible for being able to see/find your friends.”
- “Buggy as hell to the point where it's just unplayable and not fun at all.”
optimization
2,522 mentions
17 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
28 % negative mentions
The optimization of *Dying Light 2* has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly when using ray tracing. While some users with high-end hardware have experienced smooth gameplay, others with mid-range systems struggle to maintain playable frame rates even on lower settings. Overall, the game is seen as needing further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the experience, especially for those on less powerful setups.
- “Performance-wise, the reloaded edition feels optimized, with smoother frame rates and better stability, even in the most intense moments.”
- “This game now runs absolutely fine on any configuration; they have optimized this game over the years pretty well.”
- “The game is more optimized with newer hardware than the old game, so it doesn't peg my GPU fans as hard as Dying Light 1.”
- “I love this game, but the stutter and lag have made it completely unplayable, so I only recommend buying it if it's on sale for dirt cheap or the performance issues have been fixed.”
- “This game has been plagued with stuttering and lag issues in co-op mode since its release, and here we are in 2024, and it still hasn’t been fixed.”
- “The performance is absolutely dreadful and the visuals don't warrant that performance.”
music
1,481 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in "Dying Light 2" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its dynamic nature that adapts to gameplay, enhancing the parkour experience by intensifying during jumps and combat. While some players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create an immersive atmosphere, others feel it lacks the memorable quality of the first game's music, describing it as less impactful and sometimes repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for its integration with gameplay, though opinions vary on its overall effectiveness compared to its predecessor.
- “The choices you make truly matter, and the soundtrack perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is beautiful and mixes so well with the parkour; you do a huge jump off a skyscraper and the music will draw back, and the second you get back to land, the music will kick back in. It's extremely immersive.”
- “The music, especially the combat music, is the kind that gets repetitive long-term, but otherwise it contributes well to the atmosphere of Dying Light 2.”
- “The soundtrack is a complete downgrade from the very spooky and tense, but simple techno soundtrack that they featured in the first game.”
- “The music lacks that John Carpenter-esque sound.”
- “The music is bland in my opinion, but it doesn’t hinder the game experience.”
grinding
1,294 mentions
0 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
82 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Dying Light 2" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who describe it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. Many reviewers express frustration with the need to grind for upgrades, crafting materials, and achievements, often feeling that the game forces them into repetitive tasks rather than allowing for enjoyable gameplay. While some players appreciate the depth of content available, the consensus is that the grinding mechanics detract significantly from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding adventure.
- “Play time, 40-50 hours ++++ for sure even if you are not the grinding man.”
- “It's not too grindy and the city is nice.”
- “This game was great, progression is smooth and not too grindy.”
- “For somebody going for all achievements, this game can be pretty grindy.”
- “The best gear is all locked behind a strangely grindy live service style online bounty system.”
- “Incredibly grindy system that requires at least 9 incremental upgrades to every single thing you have - medkits, throwing knives, grenades, firecrackers if I remember correctly too - the list goes on and requires infected trophies from killing rare zombies as the level increases so it isn't a consistent rate of upgrading.”
humor
905 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Dying Light 2" is a mixed bag, with many players finding the game's bugs and glitches to be a source of unintentional comedy, often leading to hilarious moments during gameplay. The dialogue and character interactions are frequently described as cringeworthy or overly cheesy, yet some players appreciate the absurdity, likening it to a "so bad it's good" experience. Overall, while the humor may not always land as intended, it contributes to a fun and chaotic atmosphere, especially in co-op play.
- “The only reason I can recommend this is because of the hilarious Borderlands-bandits-esque dialogue of the renegades.”
- “Dying Light 2 is the ultimate zombie-parkour extravaganza, and it's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and laughing all the way to the apocalypse!”
- “Dropkicking zombies is hilariously amazing and will get you the most run for your money.”
- “Then there is the quests... just as an aside, having an entire side-quest being about a guy talking about his fish is not funny because the 'joke' landed a minute into the quest and he's blabbing for what felt like an eternity.”
- “His jokes are not funny, and you kind of feel a bit disconnected from all the people in the story - you meet a lot of NPCs, but you never really get connected to them.”
- “Your character says cringe 'badass' remarks that are not funny and just fall flat.”
atmosphere
904 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Dying Light 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it lacks the intense, gritty feel of its predecessor, "Dying Light 1." While some appreciate the vibrant visuals and immersive sound design, others feel that the game is too colorful and lacks the horror elements that made the first game so compelling, particularly during nighttime. Overall, while "Dying Light 2" offers a visually stunning world and engaging gameplay, it struggles to replicate the same atmospheric tension and sense of dread that defined the original.
- “The game’s world is a true standout, with a beautifully detailed and atmospheric city that feels alive.”
- “The atmosphere is really immersive, and just by looking at the view and the beautiful details that you're able to catch in the game really immerses you into the game.”
- “The post-apocalyptic city is detailed and vibrant, with light and shadow effects adding depth to the atmosphere.”
- “Dying Light 2 feels incredibly generic and bland visually; the atmosphere is missing and the story I have no interest in so far.”
- “The atmosphere is not immersive, and I did not feel any connection with the NPCs.”
- “The atmosphere didn't come across as well as in the first part.”
monetization
643 mentions
4 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in "Dying Light 2" has drawn significant criticism, particularly following Techland's acquisition by Tencent, which many players believe has led to a shift towards aggressive microtransactions. Players express frustration over the introduction of in-game purchases, including a premium currency system and cosmetic bundles, in a full-priced game, which they feel detracts from the overall experience and feels like a cash grab. Despite some updates improving gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the monetization practices are predatory and unwelcome in a primarily single-player game.
- “Although the game includes microtransactions, I only found out about them after completing the game, and they didn't affect my enjoyment during my playthrough.”
- “While the game has been marred by microtransactions, the developers have not abandoned it, and the latest update has made playing much more enjoyable, especially in cooperative mode with a friend if you have one.”
- “I could care less about the in-game purchases as the parkour and replayability makes up for it.”
- “Adding insult to injury, Tencent acquired them, and instead of addressing their broken promises and disappointments, the focus shifted to prioritizing microtransactions.”
- “The worst thing they have done recently is add microtransactions for cosmetics for a game that is mainly single-player.”
- “This game is a soulless console cash grab, and nothing more.”
emotional
441 mentions
79 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Dying Light 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in the narrative's ability to evoke genuine feelings. While some found moments of emotional depth and impactful side quests, others criticized the main story for being shallow, predictable, and lacking character development, leading to a disconnect with the characters and their struggles. Overall, the game attempts to deliver emotional experiences but often falls short, leaving players feeling uninvested in the story and its outcomes.
- “The story is engaging, offering meaningful choices that shape the world and characters around you, while Aiden Caldwell's journey is compelling and emotional.”
- “I cried when Waltz said: 'We are in dying light, not even Crane can save us.'”
- “The narrative is rich, immersive, and emotionally engaging.”
- “A massive downgrade from the first game, buggy gameplay even after updates and a really boring story with forgettable characters.”
- “Incredibly boring story, bland protagonist, obnoxious characters, lazy stereotypes and the worst boss fight in gaming history.”
- “This game loves to waste your time, and it desperately wants you to focus on the incredibly boring story and side missions.”
replayability
389 mentions
33 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its branching storylines, multiple endings, and the addition of new content that enhances replay value, while others criticize it for lacking depth and meaningful choices compared to its predecessor. Many reviews highlight the fun mechanics and engaging gameplay, but some express disappointment in the overall replay potential, suggesting that it may not hold the same allure for players after completing the main story. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replaying, the experience varies significantly among players.
- “The reloaded edition adds more content, including new side missions, challenges, and gameplay tweaks, offering increased replayability for those who have already played the original.”
- “These choices lead to multiple story branches, adding a high level of replayability and encouraging players to experience different outcomes.”
- “The branching storylines and multiple endings provide a level of replayability that is rare in the gaming world.”
- “There's not much replay value to it other than making minor decision changes that don't really change the outcome of the game other than 'this NPC survives and you never encounter it again', so I can't really say it has any replay value.”
- “The replay value is there… but not enough to draw you into doing it all over again.”
- “Overall, I think it should be corrected or the next title should be better designed... one thing that would extend replayability is to have randomly generated quarantine zones with similar rules they have in the Division 1.”
character development
132 mentions
25 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players expressing disappointment over its lack of depth and meaningful progression. While some characters exhibit potential for growth, the overall writing is criticized for being shallow, predictable, and often failing to engage players emotionally. Comparisons to the first game highlight a significant decline in character development quality, leaving many feeling disconnected from the story and its characters.
- “The character development was amazing and I was getting heavily invested in the story.”
- “The choice crossroads are very difficult but add a sense of realism into the fray, and the character development is outstanding as you grow to learn more about each and every character you meet in this epic story.”
- “There’s a lot of strong character development here and great chemistry between all characters.”
- “They had no real character development.”
- “Character development must've been low on the totem pole for this game.”
- “The story was very generic 'find your sister', with practically no character development or interesting quests at all.”