PS5 should ensure
less annoying
loading time between
important moments.The story is the
important part for
developer Techland.This could be where the sequel
will stretch its legs on PS5, and
embrace the tech of Sony’s next-
gen console to offer a smoother
experience. “There are the obvious
ones like loading times,” says
Harton as he considers theways in
which PS5’s SSD will improve the
performance of the game, “but we
still have time to explore theways
we want to use the power provided
by new generation.”CLIFF HANGER
For Techland, however, it feels as
if the platform the game is on is
less important than the ideas and
gameplay it’s aiming for. After all,
Dying Light 2 is still PS4-bound.
Particularly Harton shares howPS5 GAMES PREVIEW
creating a strong narrative within a
shifting open world is challenging.
He says: “When you think about
an emotional journey that you
want to see in a story, the
challenge will always be balancing
the attractive story elements and
open world gameplay. It’s much
easier when you take control of
the path a player takes.”
What’s helped immensely is
having a strong foundation in the
original game to build on, with the
sequel developing the factions we
already know of, and exploring
how they have evolved over the
years. Dying Light 2 is a world in
which the infection that turns
people into raging zombies has
been accepted as part of life.“The game is set in what we
call ‘the Modern Dark Ages’,
which can be seen in multiple
ways from what the buildings look
like, to how the weapons are
constructed, and the new world
order,” explains Harton.
Yet you still are a character that
has a background and a backstory
to lean on. Harton tells us, “we
try to be open about the road that
you can take,” he says, suggesting
the game has a distinct story to
tell even if you can choose to stray
at any point.
“In the end you are a crucial
element of changes to come in thisworld. You can also develop and
adjust your character. But! Don’t
forget The City is what you can
influence, change whole regions,
and build the world according to
your choices,” says the dev.
Looking beyond the game’s
release there are clues in how
Techland has supported DyingOUU L
S O
EE D.””
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