It's been some time since we have heard anything from masterminds over at Techland and what is in store for the Dying Light franchise. During Opening Night Live at Gamescom, Techland announced Dying Light: The Beast. This thrilling 18+ hour standalone zombie adventure is set in the post-apocalyptic Castor Woods, a once-popular tourist destination. After 13 years of enduring experiments, you escape and hunt down your captors to seek retribution, only to discover there’s far more at stake.

Dying Light: The Beast is an exhilarating standalone zombie adventure set in the meticulously crafted rural region of Castor Woods. 

While the region is not as populated as it once was, there are still people and factions here, as well as plenty of horrors. Some will ask for your help, others will want to kill you. And that’s not to mention the mysterious creature that’s turned the woods into its personal hunting grounds.

You are Kyle Crane, the man whose selflessness during the initial virus outbreak saved many from a fate worse than death. After more than a decade in captivity, you find yourself in a world that’s changed, and not for the better. Now, you’ll need to use the survival skills that kept you alive all those years ago to save even more innocent lives.

Nearly ten years after the launch of the original Dying Light, Techland also announced the return of voice actor Roger Craig Smith to his iconic role of Kyle Crane. “Stepping back into Kyle Crane’s shoes feels like a reunion with an old friend,” Smith said. "And even though he’s gone through a terrible time, there’s still plenty of legendary hero left in him.”

Welcome to Castor Woods! This once-bustling tourist destination is home to a diminishing number of survivors and an increasing population of zombies. Featuring natural landmarks, small villages, and industrial complexes, the setting offers diverse traversal options, whether it’s using your parkour skills to gain the upper hand on your enemies or hopping into an abandoned 4x4 to outrun the horrors of the night.

They caged you like an animal. Years of brutal experimentation took its toll, but the zombie DNA and yours are now intertwined so that you are able to unleash a beast-like power. It flows through your veins. No one can take it from you. Use it. And you’ll discover it’s not just a curse.

The day brings many possibilities to explore the region and make the most of your time while the sun is still out. But after sundown, the laws of nature take their course. Darkness tends to bring out the worst in the horde, leaving you with no other choice but to run, hide, or fight.

Sometimes it’s best to stick to a group. You never know what you might come across on your adventure. Team up in up to 4-player co-op, or ride solo if you have the guts to take it all on your own.

Development of Dying Light: The Beast originally started as a story DLC for Dying Light 2 Stay Human. But after two years of work, its size and scope have changed so much that it evolved into a standalone, self-contained experience.

To show appreciation for the community who patiently waited for the DLC, Techland will be offering Dying Light: The Beast at no extra cost to all owners of the Dying Light 2 Stay Human Ultimate Edition, delivering a full standalone adventure instead of just a DLC.

Dying Light: The Beast will be available on both PC and current-gen and last-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Techland will reveal more details including the release date later this year. To always stay up to date you can wishlist Dying Light: The Beast now on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation.

Check out the reveal trailer.