On day 2 of E3 2021, Dying Light 2 Stay Human‘s story and world-building aspects such as its alignment system were revealed.

The PC Gaming Show live stream brought aboard Piotr Szymanek, the narrative director of Techland (studio behind Dying Light 2) to explain more about the game’s story. You can watch the story overview video here:

Szymanek revealed that the game is set in the year 2036. The Harran virus was supposedly eradicated after the events of the original Dying Light game, where chemicals were dropped on the city of Harran. However, the chemicals mixed with water seeped into the soil, killing plants and turning people into bloodthirsty monsters. However Szymanek added that these zombies are not exactly zombies—these infected people are half-alive and still suffering.

In the sequel, players play as Aiden. Aiden was one of many children who were experimented on. Aiden is bent on looking for his missing sister, Mia, who was also experimented alongside with him.

As for the game’s world-building, Techland’s narrative director, animation director, Dawid Lubryka revealed during the Future Games Show live stream how side quests can affect the state of the city through the game’s alignment system. Furthermore, this also applies to co-op mode, where if your partner makes different choices and decisions, the fate of the city will turn out very differently.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human releases on December 7, 2021 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and S.