Dying Light: The Beast has two very surprising inspirations. Namely, Twin Peaks and Stranger Things. I admit that neo-noir mystery and '80s sci-fi vibes don't instantly spring to mind the first time I enter Castor Woods, the remote national park where hero Kyle Crane has ended up (joined by hundreds of undead happy campers) after years of human experimentation. Think Atomfall, minus the robots.
But when I emerge from a hard-won safehouse at sunset and let the rain wash over me, my body, bullets, and bandage stockpiles exhausted, a crackling voice keeps me company. I listen to an audio collectible, an episode of Pepper Sparks' Hidden Truths podcast, as it recounts legends of a local cryptid. Flickering UV lights standing in for a campfire to warm the chill going down my spine; the shadows around Castor Woods are suddenly teeming with more than just leaves and zombies, though those are two great places to start.
