Before Dying Light The Beast, grab its prequel at over 60% off

Dying Light: The Beast comes out next month, and we're all waiting patiently for its release. In the meantime, you can prepare for its release by playing Dying Light 2: Stay Human, which is currently 67% off over at Fanatical. The Beast is the third part in the series, so this'll help make sure you're all caught up on lore, while also giving you something to scratch that same infectious itch while you wait.

Dying Light 2 combines post-apocalyptic shenanigans with Mirror's Edge-style parkour mechanics and a game-altering night and day system. What's more is that the creator Techland promises it won't abandon Dying Light 2, pledging five years of post-launch content. Since the game was released in 2022, we've a couple of years left, so it'll make a lot of sense to play it alongside The Beast once they're both available - I wouldn't be surprised if there are cross-promotions between the two

On the surface, Dying Light 2 might not seem that different from anything else on our best zombie games guide, and on some level, it's quite similar. The plot is simple: a virus has zombified humanity, civilization has crumbled, and you, Aiden Caldwell, are looking for your sister, Mia, in the last city standing on Earth. It's an action role-playing survival horror featuring an expansive open world, like many before it, but Dying Light does a service to the genre, offering decent story missions, varied encounters, engaging side content, whilst scaring the crap out of you.

Dying Light 2's strengths are the parkour and melee combat mechanics. In our Dying Light 2 review, Dustin Bailey says, "When the parkour clicks, it's an absolute delight. The rooftops all seem to be spaced so that every leap leaves you just fingertips away from your destination before your hand shoots out, grabs the ledge, and pulls you into the next leg of your sprint. It's satisfying." He goes on to say, "The feel of melee combat is robust and gratifying, too". For instance, you can smash a guy's head into the pavement, parkour about the place, and surprise dropkick a dude if you want to.

You might think it's dangerous in the dark and safe in the light, but daylight is not without its hazards. There are different factions of people: survivors, peacekeepers, murderous bandits, and renegades… most of which are hostile, so you're going to need to utilize combat. Mostly, you'll run around doing open-worldy things like complete missions, unlocking new safe zones, and crafting items to make lock picks and healing items. You'll get to explore a virus-torn world with wicked sick parkour skills.

Though to be fair, you might prefer to face them than the nastier beasties of the night. Going out at night has its benefits; you get better loot and more XP, and, to be honest, this is where most of the fun happens. Monsters pop out from under cars, crawl up from sewer pipes, and relentlessly chase you. I love the thrill that comes with a good jump scare, and if I'm playing a horror game and not screaming, it's not doing its job. Suffice to say, I screamed a lot playing Dying Light 2. My neighbors called the police because they thought I was being murdered. Okay, they didn't, but I was loud.

We aren't sure when this deal will die, so head over to Fanatical and get it for the delightfully devilish price of $19.79/ £18.14 before it's too late.

If you love Dying Light 2 and are looking for similar games, check out our lists on the best open-world games and the best action-adventure games.

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