Dying Light 2 length: How long to beat Dying Light 2 explained
How long it'll take you to complete Dying Light 2's story.
The length of Dying Light 2 has been a point of discussion in the weeks leading up to the game's launch, with developer Techland boasting hundreds of hours of content available.
Though they later clarified what they meant if you didn't see and do everything, we wanted to provide our experience of how long it takes to beat Dying Light 2, if you were interested in what the critical path has in store.
Further to that, our Dying Light 2 review can help if you're still undecided about the game, with our assessment that it's a "vast blockbuster [that] buckles under its own ambition and lacks in innovation, but makes up for it with outstanding parkour and combat".
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Dying Light 2 length: How long does it take to beat Dying Light 2?
Developer Techland has said in the run up to launch that it will take 500 hours to "complete" the game - which means to "maxing out the game" by finishing all quests, endings and "exploring every part of the world".
It later clarified it would take around 80 hours to complete the main story and side-quests, and for those looking to just do the main story, that will be closer to the 20 hour mark - figures much more manageable than the initial 500 claim.
So having played the game ourselves, how accurate are those estimates? One person spent 25 hours mainlining the story, and another around 30 to 35 hours with some side content thrown in. In terms of branching paths - which the above hour count was suggested to contribute to - we found it does appear to funnel you towards the end, so whichever choices you make shouldn't affect the story's length.
Know that if you are done with everything Dying Light 2 has to offer at launch, Techland has said it is planning at least five years of post-launch DLC to come.
Looking for more help? We have system explainers for crossplay and how to play co-op as well as how long it takes to beat Dying Light 2. For upgrades, there are factions to consider, our recommendations for the best skills and how to get XP fast. As for things to find, there are Inhibitor locations, Windmill locations and our explainer on how to unlock fast travel. Finally, we also explain how to complete the early meet the people of the Bazaar objective and the various Dying Light 2 endings.
When does Dying Light 2 open-world begin?
Dying Light 2 has a lengthy prologue section before you reach the game's open-world city.
During this introduction you'll be introduced to our hero Aiden, his backstory, and features such as parkour exploration, first-person combat and how the day-night cycle affects enemies.
In total, the prologue is around two hours in length, and you can see up until you arrive at the City in the above hour-long video of the game's opening. Beyond where that ends, there will be two additional missions (Getting Stronger and Markers of the Plague) where you will - light spoilers ahead - search the city for a Biomarker to help integrate yourself into post-apocalyptic society.
Once that's done, you can then freely explore the early areas of the city, start side-quests and unlock Windmill locations.
If you were then hoping to make use of fast travel, expect to put some more time into the story first.
Ultimately, if you aren't up for making it to 500 hours, as mentioned above, there's still plenty to see and do - so best of luck with whatever you choose to see and do first!