Dying Light Gets a Major Visual and Audio Overhaul with the Retouched Update
Revitalizing a Classic: Dying Light’s Free Retouched Update Launches This Week
Techland has announced an exciting new update for the beloved 2015 zombie parkour game, Dying Light. Titled the “Retouched” update, this free content drop aims to enhance the game’s visuals and audio, giving players a fresh experience while preserving the core gameplay that fans have cherished for over a decade.
What’s Included in the Retouched Update?
Launching on June 26, 2025, the Retouched update brings a variety of improvements designed to elevate the game across all supported platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S. Among the key upgrades are enhanced graphics, a remastered soundtrack, and refined sound effects, all crafted to deliver a more immersive experience.
Clarifying the Scope: Not a Full Remaster
While some players may have hoped for a complete remaster, Techland emphasizes that this update is not about overhauling the entire game. Franchise director Tymon Smektała clarified that the Retouched update focuses on polishing the original game without changing its fundamental system requirements or gameplay mechanics.
“When I saw online reactions right after the announcement, many thought we were releasing a full remaster,” Smektała explained. “Let me clarify: this is about squeezing more quality out of the Dying Light experience you already love. It’s not a complete overhaul — just improvements.”
Visual and Audio Enhancements
Visual Improvements
- Refined textures for a sharper, more detailed environment
- Enhanced lighting and shadow effects for greater realism
- Improved reflections on metal surfaces and more detailed wooden fences
- Upgraded surfaces like stone paths and cement walls, adding depth and texture
Audio Upgrades
The original game’s soundtrack has been remastered by Paweł Blaszczak, who returned to re-record the music using tape to give it a richer, more nostalgic feel. Additionally, ambient sounds and hit reactions have been fine-tuned to provide a more immersive auditory experience.
Development Challenges and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Creating the Retouched update was no small feat. Techland faced the challenge of working with over ten-year-old technology while applying modern improvements. Smektała shared that the process involved significant technical hurdles, but the team was committed to maintaining stability and performance across all platforms.
Player Engagement and the Future of Dying Light
Despite a modest peak of around 45,000 players on SteamDB, the original Dying Light continues to maintain a loyal fanbase, averaging approximately 12,000 players daily over the past year. This is impressive for a game that primarily relies on single-player content, especially considering that Dying Light 2: Stay Human, released just three years ago, often struggles to reach 10,000 players simultaneously.
Upcoming Sequel and Continued Adventures
The story of Dying Light is set to expand with Dying Light: The Beast, scheduled for release on August 22, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. This new installment will follow original protagonist Kyle Crane in a fresh narrative. Fans can look forward to more updates and previews, with our team providing insights into how the game is shaping up so far.
Additional Resources and Community Updates
If you’re interested in the original game, you can revisit our detailed review, where we awarded Dying Light an 8.5 out of 10 for its innovative parkour mechanics and engaging zombie survival gameplay. Stay tuned for more news and updates as Techland continues to support and evolve this enduring franchise.
Alex "Pixel" Petrov
Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.