Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties DLC Release Date, Trailer, And Gameplay - What We Know So Far
Released in February 2022, "Dying Light 2: Stay Human" has had ample time to settle in amongst gamers. Developed and self-published by Techland as the follow-up to 2015's highly successful "Dying Light," the zombie apocalypse title was met by mostly positive reviews due to its gameplay elements, though critics felt its story leaves much to be desired. Despite these shortcomings, the game — like its predecessor — has found its place within the current gaming ecosystem. Now Techland has announced the first of many story expansions "Dying Light 2" will receive in the coming years: "Bloody Ties."
Much like the developer did with the original entry, Techland plans to support "Dying Light 2: Stay Human" with a constant influx of new content. This is evident by the company releasing a 5-year road map detailing the staggered launch of fresh features and paid DLC. "Bloody Ties" will debut as the first of that paid content, designed for hungry "Dying Light 2" fans who have likely already experienced a hefty amount of its base offerings. What kind of spin will "Bloody Ties" present on zombie-killing fare and when can players expect to get their hands on it?
What is the release date for Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties?
The first story expansion for "Dying Light 2: Stay Human" originally targeted a summer 2022 release; however, Techland pushed the launch back to September on May 12, 2022. Finally, on August 23, 2022 during the Gamescom event, the company announced that this new expansion — "Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties" — would debut on October 13, 2022. A little bit beyond Techland's September target, but not egregiously late either.
The "Bloody Ties" expansion will release across all available platforms concurrently: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. An additional pre-order bonus pack called the "Aristocrat Pack" — which contains an outfit and a weapon — will be available to any player that either pre-orders the expansion or purchases the "Ultimate Edition" of the base game. On its own, the "Bloody Ties" DLC will cost players $9.99.
Is there a trailer for Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties?
The announcement trailer for "Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties" features about as much of the melee zombie killing a fan of the post-apocalyptic series might reasonably expect. But it's the slight twist on proceedings where the meat of the trailer gets its point across. "Bloody Ties" will introduce a ton of new features, tweaks, and content, with story serving as its main selling point.
"Bloody Ties" brings a new gladiator-themed narrative to "Dying Light 2." According to the trailer's description on YouTube, "In 'Bloody Ties,' players will embark on a new story adventure, you will reach the epicentre of death, wealth and absolute splendour in a stunning location; The Carnage Hall." The trailer celebrates humanity's history of conquest, violence, and perseverance, listing off the many species that humans have either killed off or outlasted. This brutal monologue is accompanied by footage of gameplay featuring Aiden Caldwell — the main character in "Dying Light 2" — fighting off a litany of zombie and human opponents in an arena setting.
What is the gameplay like in Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties?
Judging by the promotional materials released by Techland, "Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties" will usher in a new story, new location, and new challenges. The key aspect is the narrative, in which Aiden Caldwell becomes embroiled in a Roman gladiator-style fight for his life. "Quickly realizing that the quest for fame is just the beginning, he finds himself involved in a plot for power and revenge," the synopsis for "Bloody Ties" states on the official "Dying Light" website. This isn't a sequel to the base game's main campaign, however. According to lead game designer Tymon Smektała, "Bloody Ties" takes place at the same time as "Stay Human" (per Game Informer).
The violent new expansion will unfold in Carnage Hall, a former opera hall converted into a blood sport arena for the purpose of entertainment. Based on the Steam listing, players will be able to participate in Spectacles featuring several objectives and story narration. There will also be arena challenges to take on with never-before-seen enemies. The lineup of fresh weapons includes the Shield Glove and a device called the Manica.