When I'm playing a game, whether I play it with headphones or the speakers on my desk really comes down to what I'm playing. If I'm looking to get truly immersed in a world, I'll play it with headphones, but if it's something I've played before, a game that doesn't rely on me hearing all the little details, or if I'm looking for a more theatrical experience, I'll just use my speakers. Plus, sometimes I just don't want something on my head while I'm playing, or I might wish to leave my ears open for sounds around the house. However, Dying Light: The Beast is one of those games that I played exclusively with headphones for a reason, and I think you should too.
Having reviewed Dying Light: The Beast for The Best War Games, I've already put nearly 40 hours into the game and finished it, with only a handful of activities left (like a few Dark Zones and some races) that I have yet to complete. I thoroughly enjoyed almost every minute I spent in Dying Light: The Beast, with its gorgeous open world, intense combat, and satisfying narrative being some highlights. But I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did, were it not for the fact that I played through it in its entirety with my headset on. It's one of those games that absolutely must be played with headphones for players to get the most out of the experience, so if you don't have a set, find a way to get some before you dive into Dying Light: The Beast. You won't regret it.
Why You Should Play Dying Light: The Beast With Headphones
I Learned Every Sound Meant Survival
Dying Light: The Beast can be a challenging game at times, even on its normal "Survival" difficulty, but it's even more challenging when you can't hear what's going on around you. Even playing with speakers, I'm certain it wouldn't be enough, as you would miss the fine details that your survival depends on. To test that theory, at one point during my playthrough, I turned the volume down on my gaming headset and attempted to play Dying Light: The Beast with the volume very low and then completely off. Needless to say, it wasn't long before I was overwhelmed by a horde of infected and found it very hard to escape.
This is because there is always something dangerous moving on the ground in Dying Light: The Beast, as there always has been in the series. I can't count how many times during my playthrough I was attacked from behind when I didn't know there was a zombie behind me, even with my headphones on. But playing with headphones is especially necessary for Dying Light: The Beast's nighttime experience, which is relentlessly difficult. Attempting to navigate the darkness requires both your eyes and ears to be on high alert, as Volatiles roam the streets and woods and will rip you to shreds if they catch you.
Headphones Made the World Impossible to Ignore
When hearing isn't about survival, though, playing Dying Light: The Beast with headphones immerses you in the world in a way that speakers just won't allow — and of all the Dying Light games, this is one world that is worth experiencing with all senses. The wind blowing through the trees, the infected growling in the distance, and the haunting soundtrack all make for one of the best gaming soundscapes in recent memory, and again, that message comes across loud and clear when the headphones are on.
If you truly want to make the most of your time with Dying Light: The Beast, find a way to play it with a good, or at least decent, headset. Not only will your chances of survival increase while you're wearing headphones, but you'll also feel like you're smack-dab, right in the middle of an authentic zombie apocalypse, which is what Techland wants you to feel anyway.
Dying Light: The Beast
