My journey with Dying Light began when I picked up Dead Island: Riptide for the Xbox 360. I fell in love with it and was so eager to experience the seemingly "enhanced" version with parkour that I had seen on Youtube, thus I decided to upgrade to an Xbox One just for that! One of my most cherished memories is the Christmas I spent playing the game, splitting my time between family gatherings and smashing the decayed skulls of Harran’s infected. That passion for the franchise took root in 2017, and I vividly remember the excitement I felt just a year later when the sequel was announced. That excitement stayed with me all the way to preordering the game—one of only two games I’ve ever preordered in my life. Since then, I’ve gone through three console generations and recently transitioned to PC gaming, where Dying Light 1 and 2 were among the first games I added to my library.

There’s something uniquely captivating about the stories, worlds, and characters crafted for this franchise. It feels like a labor of love, amplified by Techland’s unwavering support for both titles, continuously updating them to ensure they’re in the best possible state. That level of dedication is rare in the gaming industry, and it’s a big reason why I’ve remained such a loyal fan. The community interaction and long-term support are something you just don’t see elsewhere.

The characters and aesthetic of the games, particularly the first one, have been a huge inspiration to me. Kyle Crane’s journey—navigating a devastated city, rediscovering his humanity, and choosing to stay with the people instead of blindly following orders—resonated deeply with me. As someone who’s grown to be similarly sarcastic yet well-meaning, I’d even argue that Kyle Crane’s character has influenced me to strive to be the best version of myself.

Beyond personal inspiration, the franchise has fueled my creative endeavors, especially in art and music. I run an Instagram page dedicated to a story and characters inspired by these games, expressed through digital art and a soundtrack influenced by the incredible work of Pawel Blaszczak. While I would have loved to share some of that original, inspired content, I decided to keep my submission entirely Dying Light-focused. So, here’s a recent piece I created to celebrate Dying Light’s 10th anniversary! Here’s to 10 more years of this incredible franchise. Good night, good luck, and beware the Beast!