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Dying Light: The Following - The Beast Buggy Retrospective

Last Updated: October 27, 2025

The Beast buggy tearing through a field of zombies in Dying Light: The Following.

When Techland launched its ambitious expansion for the parkour-zombie hit Dying Light on February 9, 2016, it delivered far more than just a new story. The expansion, titled The Following, fundamentally transformed the game’s core loop by introducing a centerpiece mechanic: a fully customizable and weaponized dirt buggy that became the player's key to survival.

This vehicle, affectionately codenamed 'The Beast' during development, didn't just change how players moved; it redefined how they fought and survived in the game's perilous, undead-infested world.

Introducing a New Gameplay Pillar

The introduction of the buggy was Techland's direct and brilliant solution to the challenge posed by The Following's new setting. The expansion moved players out of the dense urban cityscape of Harran and into a sprawling, rural landscape that was reportedly twice the size of all the maps from the original game combined. This vast, open countryside made the base game's signature parkour less effective for long-distance travel. 'The Beast' was designed to be the player's indispensable companion in this new territory, providing both speed and a formidable rolling fortress.

In developer diaries released prior to launch, Producer Tymon Smektała and the Techland team detailed their vision for vehicular mayhem. The buggy wasn't just a feature; it was the expansion's core. Responding to community desires for new ways to explore and fight, the team created a robust vehicle system that went far beyond simple transportation.

More Than Just a Ride

Techland’s promise that the buggy would be more than a taxi service was fully realized in the final game. It served as a mobile weapon platform and a critical survival tool, complete with its own dedicated "Driver" skill tree that mirrored the game's character progression. This allowed players to upgrade and customize their ride extensively, tailoring it to their preferred style of zombie-slaying.

The deep and rewarding customization system allowed players to craft a personalized instrument of destruction. Key upgrades and modifications included:

  • Flamethrowers: Mountable modules to incinerate hordes of the infected.
  • UV Headlights: A crucial defensive tool for driving at night, stunning and repelling the lethal Volatiles.
  • Reinforced Ramming Bars: Upgraded bumpers designed to plow through zombies and barricades without sustaining significant damage.
  • Electric Cages: A defensive perimeter that zapped any infected that managed to cling to the vehicle.
  • Mine Dispensers, Enhanced Engines, and Suspension: A host of other upgrades let players focus on speed, durability, or offensive power, ensuring the buggy evolved alongside them.

Engineered for Fun and Carnage

The developers successfully aimed for an arcade-like feel rather than a realistic driving simulation. The physics and handling were tuned to empower the player, making it immensely fun to drift around corners, catch huge air off jumps, and, most importantly, mow down legions of zombies. The driving became another layer of visceral, satisfying combat that perfectly complemented the game's established melee and parkour systems.

This design philosophy was critical, ensuring the vehicle felt like a natural extension of Dying Light's established power fantasy. It wasn't about navigating tricky roads; it was about using the environment and the buggy's momentum as a weapon. Tearing through fields, smashing through fences, and sending the undead flying became a thrilling and essential part of the gameplay loop in The Following.

A Celebrated New Chapter for Dying Light

By introducing a core mechanic as significant as the buggy, Techland demonstrated a masterful understanding of how to evolve the Dying Light experience. The Following wasn't just more of the same; it was a fundamental shift that opened up new strategic possibilities for both traversal and combat. The buggy was not merely an addition but the heart of the expansion, and its successful implementation is a major reason why The Following is remembered as one of the best DLCs of its time. 'The Beast' provided players with a massive, carnage-filled adventure that remains a high point for the entire franchise.