Techland"s Dying Light sequel is back on the menu following a rather long hiatus, with the studio releasing a brand new gameplay showcase, seen above, aiming to rebuild the hype train. There is also a release date attached to the action game again, finally letting players parkour their way over zombies in Dying Light 2 – now with the tagline Stay Human – on December 7.
The trailer gives a good rundown of the setting, overall storyline, and the tools available for surviving the hostile, post-apocalyptic world. The story is set 20 years after the events of Dying Light, and the developer says playing the original is not a requirement for jumping into the sequel. Cooperative play also returns as a feature, with the upcoming title offering four-player co-op across the full campaign.
Three human factions fight for control over the massive city, which is simply named The City, during the daytime, while at night, the zombies take over the streets looking for a feast. As previously announced, choices will be a big part of the game, letting players dictate how these human settlements end up: thriving or wiped out.
Here"s how the developer describes the game:
You are a wanderer with the power to change the fate of The City. But your exceptional abilities come at a price. Haunted by memories you cannot decipher, you set out to learn the truth… and find yourself in a combat zone. Hone your skills, as to defeat your enemies and make allies, you’ll need both fists and wits. Unravel the dark secrets behind the wielders of power, choose sides and decide your destiny. But wherever your actions take you, there"s one thing you can never forget—stay human.
The title was originally announced during E3 2018, and a year later – also during E3 – it received a spring 2020 launch window. An indefinite delay hit the project in early 2020, throwing those plans out the window, with the developer saying it needed more time to complete the experience to a high standard.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is launching on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. As with most games, pre-order bonuses are attached to the release as well, offering the "Reload" outfit, as well as weapon and paraglider skins. Techland is planning to host more gameplay showcases focused on specific systems like parkour going forward.