The Zombie survival game Dying Light is getting a battle royale mode. The standalone expansion is called “Bad Blood” and is set to release in September 2018. Our author Leya was able to play “Brutal Royale” at Gamescom 2018 and experienced heart racing like never before in a battle royale.
Dying Light: Bad Blood has successfully created an exciting mix of PvE zombie apocalypse and PvP battle royale. This sets it apart from the classic battle royale and gave me a real thrill of excitement more than once.
That’s how it felt when I played it at Gamescom.
Collecting blood samples is risky, but it makes me stronger
After my last encounter with a zombie, my life was hanging by a thread. I couldn’t see a medkit anywhere. I had no choice but to plunge into one of the zombie hordes to get a blood sample. I only had a grenade and a wooden stick with me. My life was low, the risk high.
Collected blood samples increase life: But if the zombies didn’t get me, surely one of my fellow players would take me out easily. I had to become stronger! I knew that blood samples would increase my life, even beyond the initial maximum.
Zombies guard the blood samples: I found one of those small, disgusting, organic lumps sprouting from the ground. A so-called “Hive”. Right in such a lump, I had to jab my syringe to draw a blood sample. This immediately attracts a smacking horde of zombies that rushes towards me.
I took my club and rushed in recklessly. Those who want to win and survive have to take some risks. I smashed the heads of the disgusting undead that burst in a flow of blood. Just as a skull exploded in front of me, another zombie attacked me from behind.
Parkour abilities are practical for bombastic tricks
I realized I wouldn’t survive long among the zombies. Suddenly, I had a bright idea! I was told earlier that the characters here are equipped with special athletic abilities.
The athletic jump was my salvation: I skirmished my way out of the group of zombies and looked up. My character could easily get onto the sloped roof above me. Salvation!
On the roof, I had some peace from the zombies and casually threw my grenade right into the horde. A loud bang echoed, most of the zombies were dead, and I could take care of the rest with my club.
With the collected blood sample from the “Hive”, I felt better again and could search for new weapons. Among them were a bow, more bats, a shield, and another grenade.
Why weaken the opponents when the zombies can do it?
I set out in search of more loot. Besides the bow, there aren’t really any ranged weapons in Bad Blood. I hoped I would at least find something like an axe or a machete as an upgrade to my clubs.
When zombies become loyal helpers: As I walked along, I saw one of my fellow players confronting a gigantic zombie. The extra-large zombies guard more valuable “Hives” from which better blood samples can also be drawn. I decided to cautiously observe the situation.
The player eventually ran away from the giant zombie. From this, I learned that he was probably weakened and that I should leave the big zombie alone for now. I crept up on my human opponent and struck him directly on the back of the head. Before he even knew what was happening, his life was already mine along with his collected blood samples.
The helicopter arrives, the race begins!
Once enough blood samples have been collected, a helicopter eventually arrives. However, it only has room for one player and offers salvation from the zombie hell. There must be a sadistic research team behind this project.
The helicopter is displayed on the map: Now I have only one focus point. The landing zone. I see exactly where the helicopter is located. I feel well-equipped, even though my life is not at full capacity. I run towards the landing zone like a horse with blinders on, using my parkour skills to jump over any obstacles.
Just before salvation, I get hit: Only one other survivor and I stand in front of the helicopter. Should I just run straight ahead and try to be faster, or should I attack? I decide to attack him and rush towards him like a fury, bat in hand.
Unfortunately, my opponent pulls out a thick shield and deflects my attack, turning me into mush. Second place, he escapes. Maybe I should have just run.
A dev killed me: After I frustratedly threw my hands in the air and exclaimed, “Oh no!”, a head flashed next to the monitor right in front of me. The young man across from me asked if that was me he just slaughtered and robbed of victory. The other developers around us laughed and explained that he was also one of the devs who simply filled the test round.
He looked visibly guilty, but that was okay. The round was incredibly exciting, and I could have played another one right away.
Exciting mix of PvE zombie apocalypse and PvP battle royale
To stand out from the battle royale crowd, the developers have given their game the title “Brutal Royale”. It actually feels much more brutal than other representatives of the genre.
Close combat pushes you into the fight: For me, a big difference here is the focus on close combat. You are always up close and personal with zombies and other players. Sitting in a corner and “sniping” opponents simply doesn’t work here.
The environment can be used tactically: Particularly interesting are the possibilities that arise from the fight over the “Hives” and the zombies. Right here, I can imagine savvy players finding enough opportunities to exploit this for themselves. It could also be an option for a player to be struggling with zombies at a “Hive” while I sneak in and grab the blood sample from the “Hive” itself.
The zombie sounds can drive you crazy: The fight for survival is already exciting. But when that typical atmosphere of grunting and smacking zombies comes in, it sends my heart rate through the roof.
The map doesn’t shrink: In total, only 12 players compete against each other, but the map remains the same size throughout. At some point, the helicopter will come, and those who want to win must reach that point. This adds a lot of tension to the final minutes of the match, as there is that one point that is so crucial for victory.
This is how Bad Blood differs from the typical battle royale
A quick overview of how Bad Blood stands out:
- Only 12 players compete against each other
- The map remains the same size until the end and does not shrink
- PvE is integrated through zombies
- Blood samples from the “Hives” of zombies must be collected. Hordes of zombies protect the samples
- The blood samples grant more life and can also be taken from dead fellow players
- Players are extraordinarily athletic and can move in parkour style
- The focus is on melee weapons
- If enough samples are collected, a rescue helicopter arrives that only one player can board
When is Bad Blood coming? Dying Light: Bad Blood will enter Early Access on Steam in September 2018. A release for PS4 and Xbox One is also planned for an undetermined time.
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