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Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Dying Light 2 Stay Human Review – An Apocalyptic Renaissance
77%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, optimization
78% User Score Based on 151,826 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 88 reviews

Platforms

NSNintendo SwitchPCPCP4Playstation 4P5Playstation 5WinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SCloCloudPlaPlayStationXboxXboxXCGXbox Cloud Gaming

About

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.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
Dying Light 2 Stay Human screenshot
+8

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 151,914 reviews
story14.4k positive mentions
stability8.1k negative mentions

  • The parkour mechanics are fluid and polished, providing thrilling traversal across a beautifully decaying city.
  • The combat system is engaging and dynamic, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
  • The game offers meaningful choices that shape the world and characters, adding a level of replayability with branching storylines.
  • The story is often criticized for being lackluster, predictable, and poorly written, failing to match the depth of its predecessor.
  • Many players report clunky mechanics, performance issues, and a buggy experience that detracts from enjoyment.
  • The grinding aspect of the game is excessively tedious, leading to frustration and boredom during progression.
  • story
    62,136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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, leading to a sense of repetitiveness. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay mechanics, particularly the parkour and combat systems, are generally praised, suggesting that players may enjoy the game more for its action and exploration than for its story.

    • “The story is engaging, offering meaningful choices that shape the world and characters around you, while Aiden Caldwell's journey is compelling and emotional.”
    • “The game is a lot of fun and will keep you busy for hours exploring and doing missions and side missions.”
    • “The story is rich with lore and the gameplay is incredibly satisfying, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “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
    21,664 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 great, it feels like a Dying Light game.”
    • “The parkour mechanics are polished, providing thrilling traversal across rooftops and structures in a beautifully decaying city.”
    • “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 mostly little challenge arenas, and tedious quests around the area.”
  • graphics
    10,176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in *Dying Light 2* have received a mixed reception from players. Many praise the stunning visuals, improved lighting, and detailed environments, particularly when utilizing ray tracing, which enhances the overall aesthetic of the game. However, some players express disappointment with performance issues, graphical glitches, and a perceived lack of optimization, especially on lower-end hardware, leading to a less immersive experience compared to its predecessor. Overall, while the graphics are often highlighted as a strong point, they are accompanied by concerns regarding stability and consistency.

    • “The graphics look amazing!”
    • “The updated graphics, lighting, and textures bring the world of Villedor to life.”
    • “Dying Light 2 is visually stunning, with an art style that captures the decay and desperation of a post-apocalyptic world.”
    • “The graphics in this game are horrendous!”
    • “The graphics are worse than the first dying light.”
    • “The graphics are a downgrade for me, especially the textures.”
  • stability
    8,424 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "Dying Light 2" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as a "buggy mess." Users report frequent glitches, game-breaking bugs, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer mode, which can lead to frustrating experiences such as soft locks and unresponsive quests. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the consensus is that it requires further polishing and updates to reach a more stable state.

    • “Not buggy anymore as of May 13th, 2024. I've played through this game and already want to do it again. I find this game to be a lot of fun, and if you want a great zombie game to play either solo or with friends, I recommend it. Also, parkour is amazing.”
    • “The experience was so fun and bug-free, at least for the most part. 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
    5,044 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of *Dying Light 2* has received mixed reviews from players, with many citing significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly when using ray tracing. While some players report smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others struggle to achieve playable frame rates even on lower settings, leading to frustration and disappointment. Overall, the game is seen as needing further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the experience, especially for those with mid-range or older hardware.

    • “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 very well optimized; the combat and parkour feel smooth.”
    • “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 optimization of this game is non-existent.”
  • music
    2,962 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Dying Light 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its dynamic nature that adapts to gameplay, enhancing the parkour experience by intensifying during jumps and chases. While some find the soundtrack to be a significant improvement over the first game, others feel it lacks the memorable quality and atmospheric depth of "Dying Light 1." Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to create an engaging and immersive experience, though some players have expressed disappointment with certain tracks feeling repetitive or out of place.

    • “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 world is horribly designed, parkour is mediocre, the buildings are dumb and make the parkour even less interesting, the story is dull, the cutscenes are very bad and the damn intro when launching the game as well as that awful music on the main menu.”
    • “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 just doesn't suit the game.”
  • grinding
    2,588 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Dying Light 2" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. Players report that upgrading gear, crafting items, and leveling up skills require a significant amount of grinding, often leading to frustration and boredom. The game's mechanics, including the stamina system and the need to farm for resources, contribute to a gameplay experience that feels more like a chore than an enjoyable adventure, with many reviewers suggesting that it detracts from the overall fun and immersion of the game.

    • “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
    1,810 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 poorly written, 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.”
    • “Dropkicking zombies is hilariously amazing and will get you the most run for your money.”
    • “The game has a good plot, funny characters, and great Russian voice acting.”
    • “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 add nothing to the experience.”
  • atmosphere
    1,808 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Dying Light 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant downgrade compared to its predecessor, "Dying Light 1." While some appreciate the vibrant visuals and immersive sound design, others feel that the game lacks the intense, gritty atmosphere and horror elements that made the first game memorable. The night-time experience, in particular, is often described as less threatening and engaging, leading to a perception that the overall atmosphere is more generic and less impactful.

    • “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 setting is beautifully designed, and the contrast between the decaying city and its surviving factions is both striking and atmospheric.”
    • “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 is completely lost; the game wants you to grind all the time, parkour feels kinda flimsy and physics of enemies are just so much worse compared to dl1.”
  • monetization
    1,286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 aggressive and predatory microtransactions. Players express frustration over the introduction of in-game purchases, including a new currency system, which they feel detracts from the overall experience of a full-priced game. The presence of ads and the perception of the game as a cash grab have further alienated the community, with many reviewers urging potential buyers to avoid the game due to its monetization practices.

    • “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.”
    • “Techland adding microtransactions into their game, adding boring mediocre repeating events every several months, and not providing what they said they would in their 5-year game plan, to then ask their dying player base to vote to nominate their game for Steam's Labor of Love award is crazy.”
    • “And finally the worst part of the game is that the company was bought out by Chinese multibillion-dollar entertainment conglomerate Tencent, known for predatory over-monetization, which was immediately implemented in the form of new 'Dying Light bucks'. Don't worry, it's definitely not intentional that all of the store prices are priced in a way that it's impossible to actually spend all your fake d-bucks, so you will never actually be able to get your money's worth.”
    • “Adding predatory microtransactions to a single-player/co-op game over a year after its release is gross.”
  • emotional
    882 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Dying Light 2" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the story and character arcs deeply engaging and capable of evoking strong feelings, while others criticize it for being shallow and lacking emotional depth. Many noted that certain side quests and character interactions provided heartfelt moments, but overall, the main narrative often felt forced or unimpactful, leading to a disconnect with the characters. The game's attempts at emotional storytelling were seen as inconsistent, with some players experiencing genuine emotional highs and lows, while others felt the story fell flat and failed to create meaningful connections.

    • “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 loved the sidequest 'The Rose Garden', because it's emotional and unexpected, coming from a simple, completely optional quest.”
    • “The narrative is filled with engaging characters, unexpected twists, and emotional moments, drawing players into its dark and atmospheric setting.”
    • “Incredibly boring story, bland protagonist, obnoxious characters, lazy stereotypes and the worst boss fight in gaming history.”
    • “A disappointing sequel with an incredibly boring story and uninteresting characters.”
    • “This game loves to waste your time, and it desperately wants you to focus on the incredibly boring story and side missions.”
  • replayability
    778 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its branching storylines, multiple endings, and engaging gameplay that encourages exploration and different choices. However, many others feel that it lacks the depth and replay value of its predecessor, citing repetitive gameplay and limited content after the main story. Overall, while there are elements that enhance replayability, such as new game plus and side missions, the experience can feel less rewarding compared to the original game.

    • “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.”
    • “The replayability just wasn't there for me, and this game introduced so much more in the endgame and is still giving us stuff to do in the endgame with the tower raids etc. that I keep coming back for more.”
  • character development
    264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment compared to its predecessor. While some characters exhibit strong development and engaging interactions, the overall narrative is often criticized for being shallow, predictable, and lacking meaningful choices that impact character growth. Many reviewers noted that the dialogue and character arcs feel forced or poorly executed, leading to a disconnect between players and the story.

    • “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.”
    • “Great story, great gameplay, amazing character development, awesome parkour.”
    • “They had no real character development.”
    • “Character development must've been low on the totem pole for this game.”
    • “The character development system is so boring, hopelessly designed, and meaningless there, that it amazes me that it passed.”

Buy Dying Light 2 Stay Human

26h Median play time
64h Average play time
24h Main story
96h Completionist
8-65h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1,410 analyzed playthroughs

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