Reluctantly Giving Zombies A Try - Dying Light
I will be right up front, by and large, I hate zombie games. They usually turn out to be a excuse for a company to cheap out on the nonplayer character's (NPC) artificial intelligence (AI). That is why I was surprised how much I enjoy Dying Light.
Dying Light did the - over done - zombie thing right. First there is the parkour system, simply superb. It adds a level of action to the game that keeps the excitement high, even if you are just traveling.
The game keeps the challenge level growing with your level of skill. Zombies attack with varying speeds, strength, intelligence and reach. Some even use weapons. They are surprisingly good at catching you in a pincer movement. You learn to always watch your back, always. Use your mini-map, keep moving or gain a superior position. Getting on top of cars, trucks and buildings helps to thin out the most aggressive zombies from the herd. Then you can do clean up, but still keep moving. Circling is a good tactic with herds of slower zombies, but watch their reach. The slower ones compensate with a lunge and longer reach on attack. Learn to use the dodge. With the really big guys, either hit on the run or use a ranged weapon.
To me, the best ranged weapon is the bow. It is quiet and effective if used well. Watch the drop, it is significant. Aim for the head or often above the head. I mean you really need to head hunt in this game whether it is at range or in melee. The bow has a variety of modifications to it's ammo you can make. Other weapons or defensive items do also. There are regular arrows, fire, electric and exploding arrows. Mod's to throwing stars are similar. You will see exploding throwing stars used a lot in this video. There are also pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Realize though - noise kills. It draws fast zombies and slow making it easy for the unwary to get overwhelmed.
Lots and lots of fights in this game. As many fights as you want to have or more. It isn't just zombies either, there are criminal gangs competing for the air supply drops. Gang members block, dodge and attack very well. With both zombies and gang members if you stun one, expect the other to immediately attack. As in real life, sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
It is a whole different game at night. During the day you are moving at speed, rushing into the attack, wading through zombie's left and right. At night, stealth is key as is using the 'survivor sense' to map out the Volatiles. They are ugly, naked, fast and deadly. In fact, they are faster than you. They absorb bullets like candy, but a shotgun is sure medicine for what ails them. Stay out of their cone of vision. Crouch, move carefully using your mini-map and survivor sense to avoid them. Even then it is easy to get trapped. In the video a group of zombies forces me into a run. I clip the edge of a Volatile's vision cone and he almost locks on. It was a close one. It helps at night to know where all the safe zones are and move from one to the next. XP is doubled at night and rewards are better.
The video is 1080p/60fps so feel free to go full screen. There is a ton of action and quick looks behind that you will miss otherwise. WARNING - gore is set to max so it may not be a video for everyone. It is a zombie game after all. Clips are in internal sequence but cuts have been made to remove most of the scrounging which is pretty constant in this game. The most action packed video I have ever made.
Dying Light did the - over done - zombie thing right. First there is the parkour system, simply superb. It adds a level of action to the game that keeps the excitement high, even if you are just traveling.
The game keeps the challenge level growing with your level of skill. Zombies attack with varying speeds, strength, intelligence and reach. Some even use weapons. They are surprisingly good at catching you in a pincer movement. You learn to always watch your back, always. Use your mini-map, keep moving or gain a superior position. Getting on top of cars, trucks and buildings helps to thin out the most aggressive zombies from the herd. Then you can do clean up, but still keep moving. Circling is a good tactic with herds of slower zombies, but watch their reach. The slower ones compensate with a lunge and longer reach on attack. Learn to use the dodge. With the really big guys, either hit on the run or use a ranged weapon.
To me, the best ranged weapon is the bow. It is quiet and effective if used well. Watch the drop, it is significant. Aim for the head or often above the head. I mean you really need to head hunt in this game whether it is at range or in melee. The bow has a variety of modifications to it's ammo you can make. Other weapons or defensive items do also. There are regular arrows, fire, electric and exploding arrows. Mod's to throwing stars are similar. You will see exploding throwing stars used a lot in this video. There are also pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Realize though - noise kills. It draws fast zombies and slow making it easy for the unwary to get overwhelmed.
Lots and lots of fights in this game. As many fights as you want to have or more. It isn't just zombies either, there are criminal gangs competing for the air supply drops. Gang members block, dodge and attack very well. With both zombies and gang members if you stun one, expect the other to immediately attack. As in real life, sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
It is a whole different game at night. During the day you are moving at speed, rushing into the attack, wading through zombie's left and right. At night, stealth is key as is using the 'survivor sense' to map out the Volatiles. They are ugly, naked, fast and deadly. In fact, they are faster than you. They absorb bullets like candy, but a shotgun is sure medicine for what ails them. Stay out of their cone of vision. Crouch, move carefully using your mini-map and survivor sense to avoid them. Even then it is easy to get trapped. In the video a group of zombies forces me into a run. I clip the edge of a Volatile's vision cone and he almost locks on. It was a close one. It helps at night to know where all the safe zones are and move from one to the next. XP is doubled at night and rewards are better.
The video is 1080p/60fps so feel free to go full screen. There is a ton of action and quick looks behind that you will miss otherwise. WARNING - gore is set to max so it may not be a video for everyone. It is a zombie game after all. Clips are in internal sequence but cuts have been made to remove most of the scrounging which is pretty constant in this game. The most action packed video I have ever made.
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