Dying Light: The Beast team calls it the best game in the series: “For us, this really is Dying Light 3”

Dying Light: The Beast, the next chapter in Techland’s zombie franchise, will launch on August 22. Originally planned as DLC for Dying Light 2: Stay Human, the project grew into a standalone game. Franchise director Tymon Smektala says the studio sees The Beast not just as a full sequel but as the best entry in the series to date.

Smektala noted that The Beast introduces players to a completely new setting, with a campaign lasting several dozen hours. The only reason they didn’t label it Dying Light 3 is the lack of a “breakthrough new feature” that usually comes with a sequel.

The developer also admitted that the second game lost some of the series’ charm and alienated many players but hopes The Beast will bring the audience back.

Dying Light: The Beast continues the story of the first game’s protagonist. Playing as Kyle Crane, players seek revenge on a former tormentor who injected viral DNA into their genetic code — while battling their own inner beast. Owners of the deluxe edition of Dying Light 2 will get the game for free.