Dying Light: The Beast Release Date, Platforms, Editions, Gameplay, and All You Need to Know

Kyle Crane Returns in a Brutal Standalone Zombie Adventure Dying Light: The Beast (Image Credit: Techland).

Dying Light: The Beast, the next chapter in Techland’s popular zombie franchise, is officially launching on September 18 across PC, PlayStation 5 (including the PS5 Pro), and Xbox Series X|S.

Unlike its predecessor, this isn’t a DLC—it’s a fully standalone game that expands upon the lore of Dying Light with a darker, more focused storyline featuring the return of franchise protagonist Kyle Crane.

The game picks up years after the events of Dying Light 2, placing players in the haunting landscape of Castor Woods, a once-thriving tourist hotspot turned nightmarish wasteland.

The setting offers a fresh, handcrafted open-world space inspired by the Swiss Alps, complete with dense forests, industrial zones, and eerie swamp regions.

Dying Light: The Beast All Details

Crane’s Story Continues

Fans of the original game will be pleased to know that The Beast centers around Kyle Crane, voiced once again by Roger Craig Smith. After being held captive for 13 years by a rogue scientist known as the Baron—who’s been using virus experiments to force his twisted vision of order—Crane finally escapes.

But there’s a catch: he’s no longer fully human. Altered by the virus, he’s now caught between man and monster, giving players access to an entirely new gameplay mechanic—Beast Mode.

In this mode, Crane can unleash superhuman strength, speed, and reflexes to devastate enemies. He can throw environmental objects, break through barricades, and tear apart zombies with bare hands.

The game features a dedicated Beast Mode skill tree, giving players the chance to fully lean into the character's mutated potential.

Release Date and Times

Dying Light: The Beast was initially set to launch on August 22 but is now delayed to September 18. Here’s a look at key launch times:

• Los Angeles, USA (PDT) – Sept 18, 9:00 AM

• Denver, USA (MDT) – Sept 18, 10:00 AM

• Chicago, USA (CDT) – Sept 18, 11:00 AM

• New York, USA (EDT) – Sept 18, 12:00 PM (Noon)

• Mexico City, Mexico (CDT) – Sept 18, 11:00 AM

• São Paulo, Brazil (BRT) – Sept 18, 1:00 PM

• London, UK (BST) – Sept 18, 5:00 PM

• Paris, France / Berlin, Germany (CEST) – Sept 18, 6:00 PM

• Cape Town, South Africa (SAST) – Sept 18, 6:00 PM

• Moscow, Russia (MSK) – Sept 18, 7:00 PM

• Dubai, UAE (GST) – Sept 18, 9:00 PM

• New Delhi, India (IST) – Sept 18, 9:30 PM

• Bangkok, Thailand (ICT) – Sept 18, 11:00 PM

• Beijing, China / Singapore (CST/SGT) – Sept 19, 12:00 AM (Midnight)

• Tokyo, Japan (JST) – Sept 19, 1:00 AM

• Sydney, Australia (AEST) – Sept 19, 2:00 AM

• Auckland, New Zealand (NZST) – Sept 19, 4:00 AM

Platforms and Performance

At launch, the game will be available on:

• PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store)

• PlayStation 5 / PS5 Pro

• Xbox Series X|S

As per Techland, PS4 and Xbox One versions are still in development and are expected to release before the end of 2025. There’s no confirmation yet about a Nintendo Switch version or a release on its successor.

PC specs haven't been shared officially, but players can expect requirements similar to or slightly higher than Dying Light 2: Stay Human, especially with the next-gen visuals and environmental complexity.

Editions, Bonuses, and Pricing

Dying Light: The Beast will come in two digital editions:

• Standard Edition ($59.99 / £49.99)

  • Base game

  • Pre-order Bonus: Hero of Harran Bundle, containing:

    • Ultimate Survivor Outfit

    • Harran Combat Knife (+ Upgradable Blueprint)

    • In Jade’s Memory Pistol (+ Upgradable Blueprint)

    • The Follower Crossbow (+ Upgradable Blueprint)

    • Castor Woods Patrol (vehicle skin)

• Deluxe Edition ($69.99)

  • Everything from Standard edition 

  • Official Soundtrack

  • Wallpaper Pack

  • Castor Woods Prepper Bundle (Prepper Outfit, Survivalist SMG + Upgradable Blueprint).

  • Castor Woods Tourist Map (marks notable loot locations with notes)

  • Roadhog

Dying Light: The Beast Standard Edition  (Image Credit: Techland)

Dying Light: The Beast Deluxe Edition  (Image Credit: Techland)

An interesting perk: owners of the Ultimate Edition of Dying Light 2 (purchased before September 30, 2024) will receive The Beast for free, along with the Hero of Harran Bundle. This is due to the game's original status as planned DLC before it evolved into a standalone project. Techland confirmed that these players will find the game automatically added to their libraries.

At the time of writing, no Collector’s Edition has been announced, which marks a notable departure from previous franchise entries.

Gameplay: Brutality Meets Freedom

The game sticks to its roots with visceral first-person parkour and melee combat, but with several notable enhancements:

• Open World: Castor Woods is richly detailed with dynamic weather, tight interiors, and large outdoor areas perfect for traversal and combat.

• Day-Night Cycle: Zombies are manageable by day, but once night falls, survival becomes a much harder game.

• Crafting: Scavenge, craft, and upgrade a wide array of weapons and tools.

• Vehicle Combat: Drive a 4x4 vehicle through hordes of undead or use it for fast travel.

• Co-op Multiplayer: Up to four players can play together with shared progression, making exploration and combat a team effort.

• New Enemies: Expect evolved zombie types including Virals trained for combat by the Baron’s forces.

Game length is estimated to be around 18–20 hours for the main story, with additional side missions and secrets extending the experience.

Trailers and Additional Content

A full 30-minute gameplay demo is already available on YouTube, showing off new mechanics, stunning environments, and ferocious combat. Additional trailers were shown during Gamescom 2024 and Summer Game Fest 2025, giving players a deeper look at the game’s tone and mechanics.

Dying Light: The Beast Gameplay walkthrough (via YouTube)

FAQs at a Glance

• Is it on Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus? No confirmation yet.

• Multiplayer? Yes, supports up to 4-player co-op. Crossplay status remains unconfirmed.

• Standalone or DLC? Fully standalone. Originally conceived as DLC for Dying Light 2, expanded into a separate game.

• Do I need to play previous games? No, it’s newcomer-friendly, though longtime fans will find added depth.

• Expected File Size? Not official, but likely 50–80 GB. An SSD is recommended for optimal performance.

Final Thoughts

Dying Light: The Beast looks to be a strong evolution of Techland’s zombie formula. With its blend of high-octane action, a compelling return for Kyle Crane, and a rich open-world setting, it’s shaping up to be a highlight in this year’s survival horror lineup. For those who’ve stuck with the series since the beginning—or even those just jumping in—it promises a brutal, emotional ride through a world teetering between humanity and the monstrous.

Stay tuned for more updates as Techland shares final PC requirements, file sizes, and potential platform deals in the weeks leading up to launch.