Navigating the Underworld: Top 5 Alternative Games to Dying Light 2

Are you seeking thrilling alternatives to your favorite post-apocalyptic zombie game, Dying Light 2? Here are five selections featuring survivor narratives, monster combats, post-apocalypse societies, and of course, the ongoing battle against time and death. These alternatives bring a different flavor to the survival horror genre while not separating too far from the invigorating essence that Dying Light 2 delivers.

The Last of Us Part II

Gameplay

Just as gruesome and exhilarating as Dying Light, The Last of Us Part II requires players to make the most out of limited resources in an unforgiving environment. The gameplay includes aspects of stealth and strategy. Unique to this game is the incorporation of various human fractions that you need to either collaborate with or battle against, adding a complex layer to player interactions.

Story

This captivating tale of survival begins five years after the original Last of Us. Players are drawn into the emotionally charged life of Ellie, who embarks on a vengeful quest after her peace-filled community faces a devastating tragedy. The narrative explores heavy themes such as loss, love, revenge, and redemption.

Setting

This game's post-apocalyptic setting is visually appealing yet hauntingly dangerous. The dilapidated buildings, abandoned towns, and overgrown flora present not only an aesthetically pleasing world but also a constant reminder of the human lives lost in the calamity.

Metro Exodus

Gameplay

Metro Exodus is a first-person shooter game with decisions and moral consequences just like Dying Light 2. The gameplay involves fighting against mutated creatures and hostile humans, using a range of weaponry that can be modified and crafted.

Story

Departing from the tunnels of post-nuclear Moscow, Metro Exodus takes you on a year-long journey through the seasons and across Russia's expansive terrain. You journey across with Spartan Rangers, seeking a place to call home.

Setting

Embellished with dynamic weather and a day-night cycle, the settings in Metro Exodus are changing and unforgiving. From scorching deserts to icy wastelands, each setting poses unique challenges and adventures for players.

Dead Island 2

Gameplay

Unlike the grim nature of Dying Light 2, Dead Island 2 adds a slightly humorous spin to its zombie apocalypse. It offers a mix of melee and firearm combat, as well as cooperative multiplayer gameplay. The fun element lies in the skill trees customized for various characters and the entertaining ways to annihilate zombies.

Story

The sequel to Dead Island takes place in California, where the entire state is under full quarantine due to a zombie outbreak. Your mission is to survive and have as much fun as possible while at it!

Setting

The open-world environment features famous sunny locations from San Fransisco to Los Angeles. The juxtaposition of cheerful settings and brutal combat adds a unique charm to this game.

Days Gone

Gameplay

Days Gone pits you as a drifting bounty hunter on a bike trying to survive in a world overrun by “freaks” (zombies). With a stronger emphasis on open-world exploration, the title offers plenty of sandbox fun, resource management, and vehicular gameplay that makes it stand out from Dying Light 2.

Story

Days Gone follows the tormented journey of Deacon St. John, a former outlaw biker in a battle-ravaged world, as he tries to find a reason to live after a personal loss.

Setting

The game paints a picture of a beautiful yet devastating Oregon wilderness, replete with abandoned vehicles, empty towns, and nature reclaiming what once was.

State of Decay 2

Gameplay

State of Decay 2 requires you to manage and maintain a whole community of survivors, not merely survive like in Dying Light 2. It emphasizes base-building, resource management, and making decisions that could impact your group's survival.

Story

The game offers no direct narrative but a dynamic open-world experience where every survivor, resource, or zombie could influence your survival odds.

Setting

The game takes place in an open-world environment filled with zombies. The setting constantly evolves based on your actions producing a unique end-world simulation in each play-through. These games offer different perspectives on how survival, in the face of a post-apocalyptic situation, is more than just fighting off zombies and scavenging for resources. They bring forth diverse narratives, settings, and gameplay elements - exploring the depth of humanity, courage, and sacrifice.