Having previously worked on the Far Cry series, Nathan Lemaire now boldly claims that his new open world is far more liberating than Ubisoft’s titles. The director of Dying Light: The Beast compared his own work to that of the French giant.

Techland finally delivered: after a one-month delay, Dying Light: The Beast launched at the end of September, bringing back Kyle Crane as the protagonist in a polished, entertaining open-world experience that expands the saga’s narrative. Hundreds of fans have jumped in and praised the game — including its own “father,” Nathan Lemaire. The director not only lauded the project but also compared its open-world philosophy with Ubisoft’s approach, emphasizing how players enjoy far more freedom and creative opportunities.

Speaking with GamesRadar, Lemaire — who previously worked at Ubisoft on Far Cry 5 and New Dawn — explained that Techland aimed to create an experience centered on creativity and improvisation, something he feels the French company’s titles often fail to deliver. In this regard, he noted that players in Dying Light: The Beast can overcome challenges in a variety of ways, using both combat and the protagonist’s agility to their advantage.

According to Lemaire, this breadth of options puts the game in a unique position within the genre, especially compared to Ubisoft franchises like Far Cry or Assassin’s Creed, where the line between freedom and linearity can blur. “The UV lights are connected to a generator. So basically, you could arrive at night, turn off the generator, throw a device to attract enemies, hide in a bush, and then collect the loot [from the dead soldiers],” he explained.

Secrets and Easter Eggs Drive Exploration

Another key highlight of the project is Techland’s emphasis on hidden secrets and Easter eggs, which Lemaire described as a vital component of the game’s design. The director even admitted that he doesn’t know all of them himself, ensuring that players will continue discovering surprises long after finishing the main story.

Additionally, Lemaire revealed that the team regularly holds creative brainstorming sessions to encourage the inclusion of such secrets, allowing developers to experiment freely within the game world. This design philosophy, he said, is what sets Dying Light: The Beast apart from other action-survival titles, creating a more dynamic and personalized experience where interacting with the world and enemies feels richer and more meaningful.

Source: 3djuegos