Dying Light: The Following

The story of Dying Light: The Following receives mixed but generally positive feedback, with several critics highlighting its engaging elements despite its flaws. Many praise the expansion’s narrative as a more compelling continuation of the Dying Light universe, noting improved character development in side quests and a focus on deeper intrigue. For instance, 3DJuegos applauds the DLC for offering satisfying character growth and a memorable ending, while IGN commends its mysterious, well-constructed plot with a surprising twist. Eurogamer Poland emphasizes that the story is more engaging than the original game, with a compelling narrative that unfolds as players gain trust with a cult-like group. Additionally, NZGamer and Push Square highlight the expansion’s standalone feel and intriguing exploration of religious themes, suggesting that while the main plot may be simplistic, it provides enough momentum to keep players invested through its atmospheric storytelling and unique setting. However, the main narrative faces consistent criticism for being underdeveloped, repetitive, or lacking depth. Multiple reviewers, including Games.cz and Metro GameCentral, criticize the story for inconsistencies, poorly written characters, and a lack of meaningful progression, with the protagonist Kyle Crane described as a “personality vacuum.” Game Debate and God is a Geek note that the plot relies on generic tropes like “The Faceless” and “The Mother,” while PC Gamer finds the narrative dull and repetitive, though quicker to get to the point than the original game. The Digital Fix and Game Rant also point out issues with unengaging dialogue, forced side quests, and a lack of cohesion, with some critics arguing that the story feels like a placeholder for gameplay mechanics rather than a standalone experience. The expansion’s reliance on fetch quests and repetitive tasks further undermines its narrative impact, as noted by Game Debate and GameSpot. Overall, the consensus among critics is that The Following is a decent but uneven continuation of Dying Light’s story. While it introduces intriguing elements like cult dynamics, religious themes, and atmospheric settings, these are often overshadowed by its narrative shortcomings. The expansion’s strengths lie in its side quests and world-building, which some reviewers, such as IGN and Eurogamer Poland, find more compelling than the main plot. However, the majority agree that the story lacks the depth, character development, and originality of the core game, with many calling it a functional but unremarkable addition to the franchise. Despite this, its ability to maintain engagement through gameplay and occasional narrative twists ensures it remains a worthwhile experience for fans, even if it falls short of excellence.

The gameplay of Dying Light: The Following received praise for its innovative introduction of the dune buggy as a central mechanic, which added new layers to exploration and combat. Critics like GameGrin highlighted the buggy’s standout features, such as nitro, flamethrowers, and off-road challenges, while PC Gamer noted that driving mechanics became more enjoyable as players adapted. The expansion also expanded on core elements like parkour, co-op play, and skill trees, with IGN and Game Rant appreciating the added depth through customizable vehicles, new weapons, and varied missions. Eurogamer Poland and JeuxActu praised the integration of vehicle customization and stealth mechanics, while Multiplayer.it and COGconnected emphasized how the buggy enhanced exploration in the open countryside. These positives underscored the DLC’s ambition to evolve the original game’s formula while retaining its core appeal. However, several critics pointed out significant flaws in the gameplay, particularly with the dune buggy’s handling and design. GameCritics and Game Over Online criticized the buggy’s "clumsy mechanics," "poor map design," and "frustratingly unreliable" driving, which disrupted the parkour-focused experience that defined Dying Light. Metro GameCentral and Games.cz noted that the shift toward vehicle-based traversal downplayed the game’s signature free-running mechanics, while Hardcore Gamer and We Got This Covered found the lack of parkour options in open-world areas tedious. Additionally, repetitive tasks like fuel management, repair systems, and fetch quests were frequently cited as drawbacks, with PCWorld and GameCrate pointing out that these elements detracted from the overall experience despite the buggy’s novelty. Overall, the critics’ opinions reflect a mixed reception, with many acknowledging the DLC’s creativity in expanding Dying Light’s gameplay while recognizing its shortcomings. While IGN, GameSpot, and COGconnected praised the balance of new mechanics and core elements, others like GameCritics and Eurogamer Poland emphasized that the reliance on vehicles overshadowed the game’s original strengths. The consensus leaned toward the DLC being a worthwhile addition for fans seeking variety but not a flawless evolution of the original formula. As PC Gamer noted, the buggy’s mechanics eventually became more enjoyable with time, yet persistent issues like repetitive tasks and uneven difficulty curves left some critics divided. Ultimately, The Following succeeded in adding depth but struggled to fully reconcile its new vehicle-centric approach with the parkour-driven identity that made Dying Light unique.

The graphics and visual design of Dying Light: The Following received widespread praise for their expanded environments and atmospheric depth. Critics highlighted the shift from the original game’s urban sprawl to a more varied rural landscape, with IGN noting the "scenic variety" of farmlands, coastal cliffs, and open fields that suit high-speed traversal. PlayStation Universe lauded the "Mediterranean-styled landscape" with rolling hills, caves, and dynamic weather effects like rainstorms, while The Digital Fix praised the "luscious lighting" and expansive new environments. The countryside setting was frequently described as visually striking, with GameGrin noting "lush meadows" and swaying grass, and CGMagazine highlighting improved NPC animations and facial expressions that enhanced immersion. Many reviewers, including Eurogamer Poland and NZGamer, appreciated the fresh aesthetic contrast to Harran’s cityscapes, emphasizing the beauty of open fields, mountain vistas, and rural villages. The expansion also introduced diverse architectural styles, as noted by 3DJuegos, though this shift sometimes reduced parkour opportunities. Despite these positives, several critics pointed out persistent technical flaws and design inconsistencies. GamingTrend and We Got This Covered criticized graphical issues like "missing assets," "screen tearing," and "monotonous open spaces," while Metro GameCentral and TheSixthAxis noted performance hiccups and awkward map divisions, such as a mountain range splitting the environment. Game Revolution and God is a Geek mentioned specific annoyances like the unremovable Chromatic Aberration effect and visual glitches that detracted from immersion. Some reviewers, including Hardcore Gamer and SpazioGames, pointed out repetitive textures and reused models from the original game, leading to a sense of familiarity rather than innovation. Additionally, while the open-world design was praised for its scale, GameWatcher and JeuxActu noted practical issues like poor visibility at night and a lack of verticality that diminished parkour mechanics. These technical shortcomings, though often minor, were frequently cited as detractors from the overall visual experience. Overall, critics generally agreed that The Following represents a visually ambitious expansion with notable improvements in environmental variety and atmospheric storytelling, but it struggles to fully overcome the technical limitations of its engine. The shift to rural settings was celebrated for offering a fresh aesthetic and more open exploration opportunities, as highlighted by IGN, PlayStation Universe, and GameGrin. However, persistent issues like graphical glitches, performance inconsistencies, and repetitive assets—mentioned by GamingTrend, We Got This Covered, and Hardcore Gamer—underscored the game’s technical shortcomings. While many reviewers acknowledged that the visual upgrades enhanced the experience (as noted by Game Revolution and USgamer), others felt they were overshadowed by flaws. The consensus leaned toward appreciation for the expansion’s creative direction but with a clear acknowledgment that its graphical execution remained imperfect, leaving room for future improvements.

The majority of critics praised the sound design and music of Dying Light: The Following as a standout element that enhances immersion and atmosphere. Gamers’ Temple highlighted the “fantastic” soundtrack, noting that new compositions effectively amplify the mysterious tone of the expanded map. Impulsegamer lauded the synth-heavy score, drawing comparisons to John Carpenter’s iconic style, while also emphasizing how environmental sounds like zombie moans and ambient noise build tension. LaPS4 and DarkStation both stressed the importance of audio in survival mechanics, with LaPS4 noting that sound “complements the survival horror atmosphere” and DarkStation pointing out its critical role in detecting threats, especially at night. Additionally, IGN Spain and Multiplayer.it praised the high-quality voice acting, particularly the Spanish and Italian dubs, which added depth to the game’s narrative and world-building. However, several critics raised concerns about accessibility and technical shortcomings. GameCritics pointed out that environmental sound cues, while essential for gameplay, posed challenges for deaf or hard-of-hearing players due to a lack of visual alternatives. We Got This Covered criticized the “tin can” quality of dialogue recording, which made key story moments difficult to follow despite stable frame rates. While some reviews, like InsideGamer.nl’s mention of a retro 1980s audio style, were more general, others noted that specific details about the soundtrack or sound effects were sparse, leaving room for improvement in terms of technical polish and inclusivity. Overall, the consensus among critics leans positive, with most acknowledging the game’s strong audio design as a key contributor to its immersive survival horror experience. While there are valid criticisms regarding accessibility and dialogue clarity, these issues do not overshadow the widespread praise for the soundtrack’s atmospheric depth and environmental soundscapes. The blend of synth-driven music, effective ambient noise, and voice acting in multiple languages demonstrates a cohesive approach to audio that aligns with the game’s retro-inspired aesthetic. Despite minor flaws, the majority of reviewers agree that Dying Light: The Following succeeds in using sound as both a narrative tool and a core gameplay mechanic.

The voice acting in Dying Light: The Following receives a mixed reception, with several critics highlighting moments of quality and technical improvement. Impulsegamer praises Kyle Crane’s consistent vocal performance and notes that the soundtrack and environmental sounds help offset shortcomings in peripheral characters’ delivery. Similarly, CGMagazine commends the improved voice work for human NPCs, emphasizing realistic animations and engaging cutscenes. Multiplayer.it lauds the Italian dubbing as “ottimo” (excellent) with minimal flaws, while IGN Spain acknowledges Spanish voice acting as up to standard, contributing positively to the experience. These positives suggest that certain regional dubs and specific character performances elevate the overall audio quality, particularly in storytelling moments. However, several critics point to significant issues, particularly with localization and technical execution. Eurogamer Poland criticizes the Polish dubbing for being uneven, with stiff or overly scripted lines, while Gameblog.fr describes the French voice acting as poor and detracting from immersion. We Got This Covered highlights poor audio quality, noting hollow and inaudible dialogue during key narrative moments. InsideGamer.nl further critiques the voice acting for featuring exaggerated, fake accents and repetitive, forced dialogue that feels unengaging. LaPS4’s mention of “voces en castellano” (Spanish voice acting) without elaboration underscores a lack of depth in some regional adaptations, suggesting inconsistency across languages. These criticisms reveal a broader pattern of uneven quality, particularly in non-English dubs and peripheral character work. The overall consensus among critics is that Dying Light: The Following’s voice acting is inconsistent, with standout performances in specific regions (e.g., Italian and Spanish) but notable flaws in others (e.g., Polish and French). While some praise technical improvements and memorable moments—such as Kyle Crane’s performance or CGMagazine’s realistic animations—the majority of reviews highlight shortcomings in localization, audio quality, and character delivery. The mixed reception suggests that while the voice acting is not a major weakness, it also fails to be a strong suit, leaving players with a fragmented experience that varies depending on language and regional adaptation. This inconsistency reflects broader challenges in balancing quality across multiple dubs while maintaining narrative cohesion.

The technical performance of Dying Light: The Following varies across platforms, with notable positives highlighted by critics. On PS4, reviewers like COGconnected and Gamers’ Temple praised Techland’s proactive bug fixes and enhanced features in the Enhanced Edition, such as improved character models and reduced immersion-breaking glitches. For PC, PC Gamer and SpazioGames noted smooth performance at 60fps with minimal technical hiccups, while Multiplayer.it emphasized stable frame rates even under demanding conditions. On Xbox One, AusGamers highlighted quick load times and no crashes, suggesting a generally polished experience despite minor visual glitches. These positives reflect the developers’ efforts to refine the game’s core systems across platforms. However, technical shortcomings were frequently cited. On PS4, GameCritics and JeuxActu criticized persistent bugs like character sticking in geometry and "very buggy" gameplay, while GamingTrend and Hardcore Gamer pointed to design flaws such as erratic enemy behavior and disrupted traversal mechanics. For PC, Games.cz and Metro GameCentral highlighted unstable mechanics, including unreliable vehicle systems and inconsistent balancing between arcade and survival elements. On Xbox One, Official Xbox Magazine UK and We Got This Covered noted frame rate drops during intense scenes and collision detection issues, with the latter mentioning a boss fight that “hit the player from another room.” These negatives underscore recurring challenges in optimization and polish across platforms. Overall, critics acknowledged that while Dying Light: The Following faced technical hurdles, the game’s core mechanics and improvements were largely well-received. On PS4, the Enhanced Edition’s fixes and iterative updates (as noted by Gamers’ Temple) mitigated many issues, though bugs like AI glitches remained a concern. For PC, while some critics like PC Gamer praised stability, others like Games.cz pointed to unresolved design flaws. On Xbox One, the technical performance was more consistent but not flawless, with frame rate and collision issues affecting immersion. Despite platform-specific challenges, the consensus leaned toward the game being technically sound enough to deliver an engaging experience, with Techland’s responsiveness to feedback (as highlighted by COGconnected) playing a key role in addressing many of the initial criticisms.

The critical reception of Dying Light: The Following highlights its strong replayability driven by substantial content additions and engaging mechanics. Multiple reviewers emphasize the expansion’s vast open world, side quests, and new systems that encourage repeated playthroughs. For instance, Game Rant praises the bounty system, co-op play, and Nightmare difficulty as key factors in extending gameplay, while GameSpot notes 10+ hours of missions, exploration, and skill-based challenges. The DLC’s emphasis on freedom and "making your own fun" (as highlighted by GameCrate) resonates with fans, alongside the inclusion of new maps, vehicles, and multiplayer modes. IGN and The Digital Fix both commend the variety of activities, from dynamic events to co-op play, which prevent repetition and offer diverse experiences. Additionally, the Enhanced Edition’s ability to combine main game and DLC progress (as noted by Gamers’ Temple) appeals to completionists, further bolstering its longevity. However, several critics point out limitations that may hinder replayability for some players. The narrative is frequently criticized as underwhelming or lacking depth, with COGconnected noting the "lackluster story" could deter repeated playthroughs. Others highlight repetitive mechanics and design flaws, such as Metro GameCentral’s critique of monotonous mission types and frustrating driving systems, while games(TM) mentions an "empty" open world without urban density. GamingTrend and Hardcore Gamer acknowledge that some areas feel tedious or unengaging, despite the expansion’s overall depth. Additionally, The Digital Fix and PC Gamer note that clichéd gameplay elements and filler content may reduce long-term appeal, even if the sheer volume of activities keeps players occupied. These issues suggest that while the DLC offers ample content, its quality and structure are not universally praised. Overall, the consensus among critics leans toward a positive assessment of The Following’s replayability, with most agreeing it provides substantial value for fans of the series. While some critiques about narrative shortcomings and repetitive elements persist, the majority view the expansion as a worthwhile addition that encourages multiple playthroughs through its variety of challenges, co-op modes, and open-world exploration. IGN, GameGrin, and TheSixthAxis all emphasize how new mechanics, difficulty tiers, and post-story content create opportunities for revisiting the game, even if not every aspect is flawless. The mixed feedback reflects a balance between the DLC’s ambitious scope and its execution, but the general sentiment favors its ability to keep players engaged beyond the main story, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy exploration and customization.