Dying Light is free for the weekend, so give it a shot before The Beast arrives

Dying Light is one of the most compelling takes on the zombie videogame to date. Although it doesn't feature the deep simulation systems of Project Zomboid or State of Decay 2, its concentration on Dead Rising-style weapon crafting and Mirror's Edge-reminiscent parkour makes its action-heavy focus remarkable. Before Dying Light: The Beast, the latest instalment in the series, comes out next month, now's the perfect time to play the first game, especially as it's currently available with a steep discount and as a free trial this weekend on Steam.

Dying Light already provided plenty of atmosphere in its original form, especially when night fell and the zombie game ratcheted up its tension with desperate chase sequences. It recently received the Retouched Update, though, which overhauls the original's visuals, making its world even more detailed with higher resolution textures, improved shadows, and more.

The first game also stars Kyle Crane, a character who's set to return as the upcoming Dying Light: The Beast's protagonist. Considering that the fundamentals of the entire series, like free-running across rooftops, slapping together weapons, and scaling giant structures, are also all present in the first Dying Light, it's worth checking the game out, either for free or at a greatly reduced cost.

Dying Light is free to play on Steam from now until Monday August 25. It's also currently available with an 80% discount that brings its price down to $4.99 USD / £3.99. Download the game or buy a copy right here.

Or, if you'd prefer to play something else in Dying Light's wheelhouse, take a look at our picks for the best FPS games and best open-world games.

You can also find other zombie fans to chat with by heading on over to our community Discord server.