Since its release last February, Dying Light 2 followed its merry way. Galvanized by very good sales, Techland continues to work on the game to enrich it. We remind you that the studio has promised to follow the game for at least 5 years by regularly providing content. Today we return to the first paid DLC for the zombie game with bloody ties in order to give you an opinion on this content dedicated to arena fights.
Dying Light 2 improvements since release
Let’s first look at the changes made to the game since its release. Despite obvious flaws, our test was generally positive on this sequel, thanks in particular to a well-built open world that drastically improves parkour sensations. AAA zombie games are not rushing and we are still waiting to see what we have in store Dead Island 2 (the first was also developed by Techland), so we appreciate finding this classic post-apocalyptic atmosphere but always appreciable. He also benefits from enormous sympathy capital thanks to Dying Light first of the name which remains today a very good experience. The latter has also benefited enormously from the follow-up over the years before ending in apotheosis with the latest DLC “The Following”.
We therefore expect a lot from Polish developers so that Dying Light 2 also become unavoidable in a few years. Although we still see a few bugs (especially in co-op), we can’t take away from Techland some notable improvements over the months thanks to community feedback. First of all, note that it is technically much more stable on PS5 even if there are still some problems (a loading time when changing zones in a paraglider, for example). We also note the addition of a new graphics mode, “balanced”.
Bugs have obviously been fixed but here a non-exhaustive list of the best additions since the release of Dying Light 2 :
- Chapters featuring Agents: currently two in number, these Agents allow you to try your hand at new challenges (with new special infected to face) and collect rare weapons, outfits and consumables
- A photo mode
- UI improvements
- Better sensations with weapons (animations and impacts)
- More gore and bloodier (better animations for dismemberments, blood spatter, ragdolls…)
- X-ray vision when hitting enemies
- The possibility of running in the base of the Peacekeepers (the abandoned boat)
- Darker nights visually
- A graphics mode to have a rendering similar to the game shown at E3 2019
Bloody Ties: it starts slowly
Bloddy Ties is a DLC that offers you a brand new adventure in the Carnage Hall, an old opera house recycled into a huge arena where games as bloody as violent as in the time of ancient Rome with its gladiators take place. We will thus meet Ciro, a new companion eager to climb the ladder of competition to make a name for himself and prove his worth to his father, a renowned former champion. Good news, it is not necessary to have finished the title to enjoy it, so you can start the related quest quite early in the adventure (you still have to advance a minimum in the main quest).
The advantage is that the DLC fits quite well into the progression as a player, but the disadvantage is that it is not closely or remotely linked to the main story. This really feels like an addition that lacks consistency with the rest of the game. Suffice to say that we quickly overlook the characters or the adventures revolving around the “Skull”, the current champion of Carnage Hall. To reach this end boss clearly identified as such from the first steps, you will have to go through several types of trials that will allow you to gain ranks until you challenge for the ultimate title.
All the salt of Bloody Ties therefore revolves around these many new challenges that will quench your thirst for challenges. The content may seem light, but let’s say that for 10€ it remains honest. Knowing that the most difficult stages are unlocked after the scripted part and that it is possible to redo each event by completing them before a given time, like the parkour or combat challenges of the base game with the medals of gold, silver and bronze. In addition to gaining fame, you get a new currency that will allow you to unlock new equipment and cosmetics in the arena shop.
With imposed equipment (to avoid any imbalance for big players with overpowered equipment), we therefore meet different challenges divided into four categories: fight against human enemies, parkour, fight against zombies and shows. The latter are events that stand out thanks to a more elaborate staging that uses the opera setting to create performances with cardboard sets and disguised zombies for the occasion. The first is also a nice nod to the first opus while the others are a little more classic and known to popular culture (Robin Hood or the Tower of Babel). In terms of gameplay, there is a melting pot of what the game already offers with combat, parkour and moving objects.
However, we regret that the game’s new flagship weapon, the Massacre Manica, is not highlighted at all.. We would have liked to have arena challenges that require us to use this new tool. This is a new toy that can be customized and used in the main adventure or in future content.
In short, Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties is an easily dispensable DLC that adds just a little something extra to your zombie epic. Challenge enthusiasts will get their money’s worth, but others are advised to delay while waiting for the rest. Fortunately, the price is quite honest in view of experience. Techland is starting slowly in terms of DLC and we hope that the next ones will be a little more filled.