Dying Light 2 is the sequel to Techland's Dying Light, and with any sequel, players may be wondering if they'll need to have played the first game to understand the second. Both Dying LightandDying Light 2have the same fundamental aspects of the series, with its trademark parkour movement and survival gameplay. Additionally, both Dying LightandDying Light 2take place in the same timeline, with the events of the first game happening before the second - but does that mean Dying Light needs to be played first?

There is no shortage ofDying Light 2 gameplay changes or improvement that players will find from the first to the second, and long-time fans of the first will undoubtedly notice the differences. In the firstDying Light, players may recall that Night Hunters were the absolute biggest threats at night, but much has changed in the timeline of the series that makesDying Light 2even more terrifying.Dying Light 2takes place nearly two decades after the first, which has given all zombies plenty of time to mutate and adapt - making each encounter with the undead feel like a do-or-die situation.

Aside from the zombie enhancements, there are other changes made inDying Light 2that don't require players to have experienced the first. For example,Dying Light 2 has multiple endings that are determined by the player's choices, and which of the factions they choose to join.Dying Lightsets up the backstory for the series' world at large, butDying Light 2adds a depth to the universe that can only be told through new characters and locations. As long as fans have a general understanding of the zombie-survival-RPG genre, newcomers are perfectly fine beginning withDying Light 2.

Why Dying Light 2 Can Be Played First

Dying Light 2 combines parkour and combat

Dying Light 2can be played before playing the first game because everything that madeDying Lighta success has been drastically changed inDying Light 2. In addition to the new gear system ofDying Light 2, there are a plethora of changes and additions such as a new skill tree mechanic, weapons, tools, and even attacks.Dying Light 2also features a whole new location for the story to unfold, as well as an entirely new protagonist to follow.Dying Light 2 is really its own game, but that doesn't mean there aren't connections between the first and second that fans will miss out on.

The story of Dying Lighttakes place in Harran, which is far from the European setting ofDying Light 2. References to Harran are made inDying Light 2, but they aren't going to be details that are detrimental to the events unfolding in the highly anticipated sequel. Of course, players who miss out on playing the firstDying Lightwill miss out on some of the earlier influences of the virus, especially because the game takes place fifteen years before the Dying Light 2 story. Nonetheless, players can quickly catch up on the details ofDying Lightbefore beginningDying Light 2through a short YouTube video recap, should they desire to. Since the details can be caught up, and there is a myriad of gameplay enhancements, players do not need to experienceDying Lightbefore starting Dying Light 2 unless they want to.

Next: Does Dying Light 2 Have Crossplay