Zombie games often catch a lot of heat because of their similar settings and tones. Back when it was first announced, the originalDying Lightwas often described as “Dead Island, but with parkour.” While the two series certainly have some things in common, their sequels,Dead Island 2andDying Light 2: Stay Human, look like they’re going to be putting further distance between themselves. Although the two series seem similar on first glance sinceTechland createdDead Islandand then went on to make theDying Lightseries, they couldn’t be any more different based on their settings and the game mechanics they’ll use.
Dead Island 2has had a rough history of development since it was initially revealed in 2014. Although plenty of time has passed since the first game came out in 2011, it’s amassed a large fanbase with its small handful of spinoff games. Based on the limited pre-release gameplay videos that have been shown off, it appears to be a faithful sequel to the originalDead Island. AsDying Light 2’s release is just around the corner, Techland has shown off a lot of what the game has to offer and it seems like, although they share a similar premise, the games will end up being pretty different from one another come release.
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Dying Light 2’s Parkour System
Perhaps the biggest thing setting the two apart isDying Light 2’s parkour system. While the original game definitely included parkour elements, Techland has promised thatDying Light 2will double the number of parkour moves available to players. From the numerous previews of the game, it looks like parkour is going to be an integral part of the gameplay, not just something that players can engage with on the side.
Dead Island 2, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have parkour of any kind and, based on the limited gameplay footage that’s been released, looks like it’s going to have more of a focus on guns thanDying Light 2.Dying Light’s parkour is going to inform so much of the experience, and though there were firearms in the original game, they haven’t made much of an appearance in any ofthe marketing forDying Light 2so far.
In addition to having gameplay differences,Dead Island2andDying Light 2have drastically different settings.Dying Light 2is set in the fictional European city Villedor, whileDead Island 2is dropping the island setting of previous entries and is going to be set in California.Dead Island 2’s Californian setting seems to have a similar feel to the fictional Pacific island of Banoi that was featured in the first game. Because of this,Dead Island 2has a much different visual style to the bleak and every changing European metropolis feel ofDying Light 2.
Dead Island 2’s setting andDying Light 2’s parkour seem to be at odds with each other. IfDying Light-style parkour were to be added toDead Island 2, it doesn’t seem like it would work very well because of the less vertical nature of the game world.Dead Island 2’s tropical settingdoesn’t feature enough structures for the player to climb on and make use of the new freerunning mechanics that have been added toDying Light 2.
Although both titles have similar origins, the two franchises have gone off in completely different directions. It’ll be interesting to see justhow differentDying Light 2is fromDead Island 2if and when the game finally launches.
Dead Island 2is in development.Dying Light 2releases on July 17, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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