Dying Light

Released in 2015 by the Wrocław-based studio Techland, Dying Light became one of the most acclaimed international achievements in the history of Polish game development and a defining milestone in the studio’s evolution. Seamlessly blending elements of action, survival, and horror, it reimagined the open-world zombie genre for a new generation of players.

Set in the fictional city of Harran, devastated by a mysterious viral outbreak, the game follows Kyle Crane – an undercover operative sent into quarantine who must navigate rival factions while struggling to survive. Its groundbreaking parkour system allowed players to move fluidly across rooftops and streets, while the dynamic day-and-night cycle fundamentally transformed gameplay: by day, players hunt the infected; by night, they become the hunted.

Dying Light impressed both critics and players with its fluid animation, responsive combat, and vast, intricately designed world. Built on Techland’s proprietary Chrome Engine 6, it delivered realistic lighting, dynamic shadows, and advanced physics, making it one of the most technically accomplished games of its era.

The game achieved remarkable commercial and critical success, praised for its open world, intensity, and inventive blend of horror and fast-paced action. It became a symbol of Techland’s transformation into a world-class studio capable of creating blockbusters on par with the biggest American and Japanese productions.

In the years that followed, Dying Light continued to grow through major expansions – including The Following (2016), the standalone multiplayer spin-off Dying Light: Bad Blood (2018), and the story-driven add-on Hellraid (2020). In 2022, Techland released Dying Light 2 Stay Human, powered by a new iteration of the studio’s proprietary engine, further expanding both parkour freedom and narrative depth.

The latest entry, Dying Light: The Beast (2025), is a standalone title set within the same universe. It explores the confrontation between humanity and monstrosity – both physical and moral – in a world on the brink of collapse. Built on an enhanced version of Techland’s technology, it pushes the series’ visual and narrative boundaries even further.

Reaching tens of millions of players worldwide, the Dying Light series has become one of the most recognizable Polish action franchises ever created. It tells a story of relentless innovation, technical mastery, and the rise of a studio that transformed a local vision into a global phenomenon.