Brace yourselves, fans of gore and horror, because Techland is taking things to a whole new level. The developer has just released a new trailer for Dying Light: The Beast, and it’s a definitive red-band warning: “Blood & Guts” is not for the faint of heart.
The trailer is a non-stop montage of visceral violence, showcasing a game that aims to be the most brutal entry in the franchise yet. From exploding heads and ripped-off limbs to bone-shattering slashes and gruesome finishers, it’s clear that Techland is serious about its commitment to horror.
Ambition for the Most Brutal Dying Light Yet
According to Tymon Smektała, the Dying Light Franchise Director, the goal was to “dramatically increase the body horror” to immerse players in the feeling of fighting for pure survival and main character Kyle’s hunger for revenge.
The brutality isn’t just for shock value, however. It’s an integral part of the game’s storytelling and psychological horror. Smektała explains, “It’s one thing to see a health bar go down; it’s another entirely to see the flesh peel away from bone… that’s how nightmares are made!”
This increased level of gore is made possible by significant tech improvements to Techland’s in-house engine. As Game Director Nathan Lemaire explains, they’ve “overhauled the body damage system” by doubling the number of “Gore-Nodes” on enemies. This allows for more visible wounds and injuries, and the improved precision of melee attacks means the angle and trajectory of your strikes will directly impact how enemies react. This allows players to target and sever limbs with more accuracy than ever before.
With nearly triple the number of finishers, every combat encounter in Dying Light: The Beast is set to be a raw spectacle of blood and gore.
The Art of Gore
The team at Techland went to great lengths to ensure the gore in the game is as realistic as possible. Lead Character Artist Dominik Wasieńko revealed the extensive research that went into improving the visuals of wounds and injuries, jokingly adding, “I just hope no one ever looks up my browser history.”
The dedication to realism even extended to the physical world, with the art team recreating blood splatter in real life with an actor to get the perfect effect.
There are still seven weeks to go until launch, and Techland is continuing to fine-tune the details to make the experience as brutal as possible.
Dying Light: The Beast is set to release on September 19, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S.
You can watch the “Blood & Guts” trailer on YouTube, but be warned—it’s a truly visceral experience.