Rob reviews Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties DLC...
Across Dying Light 2's sprawling campaign, I was left with one burning question, "what do the people of Villedor do for fun?". While I can't imagine that there is much "fun" to be had during a zombie apocalypse, it's the downtime between foraging for supplies or battling rival factions that begs the question.
Thankfully, Techland has answered this question with their first piece of story DLC for Dying Light 2. Dubbed "Bloody Ties", this brand-new content takes Aiden out of the Villedor streets, and under the spotlights of Carnage Hall. It's here that a brutal gladiatorial arena has made a home for itself, and it's another mountain Aiden will have to climb in need of the "greater good" - and tackle its nefarious ruler "Skullface".
Despite being DLC, Bloody Ties doesn't take place after the end of the main narrative. In fact it doesn't have a time stamp and can be experienced straight from finishing the tutorial, or whenever else you choose. While those just starting the adventure can jump straight into the DLC's offerings, it is recommended to unlock a few skills beforehand. However, if you do want a challenge, the game doesn't stop you.
Transpiring over roughly 4-hours of gameplay, Aiden finds himself caught up in some old-fashioned family drama. Upon entering the arena, he finds himself partnered with fellow newbie fighter Ciro. Things soon come to a head as after their first fight, Aiden soon comes face-to-face with how things in Carnage Hall run, and the mystery of his patriarchy. Ultimately, while Bloody Ties does boil down into a story about revenge - it's good enough to keep you invested.
Taking place inside a vast arena, you'll do battle against the infected whilst the paying crowds scream and chant. They're certainly a challenge, and it's certainly best to come into them with a few levels under your belt. It's a very different look into Villedor life and is a welcomed break from its more serious side. However, the novelty does wear thin pretty quickly.
For those of you who've seen the end of Aiden's quest, Bloody Ties gives you a reason to come back to Villedor. It's not as expansive as the original Dying Light's The Following DLC, but it essentially works to the same premise. It's a companion to the main story, and is arguably best experienced before its conclusion. The reason for this is that upon its completion the Carnage Hall vendors then stay to peddle their wares. This then allows you to invest in these as you play through the main campaign. Granted this doesn't stop returning players from simply grinding, but it's less of a grind (so to speak).
Away from Villedor, Bloody Ties also comes with a sleuth of upgrades for Dying Light 2's inner mechanics. The biggest of these is the inclusion of New Game +, and an obligatory photographer mode. Delving further and this update also comes with a FOV slider, and the ability to preset the graphics to balanced, rather than favoring fidelity or framerate.
While Bloody Ties is a bit of a mixed bag, it's also worth remembering that this is the first DLC for Dying Light 2. Techland has already said that there is story DLC in the works, and as such it will certainly go down a different road. Considering that Villedor is a vast city with various cultures and ideas all vying for control, seeing something different isn't necessarily a bad thing.
When it's said and done, Bloody Ties is neither terrible nor good. For me, it sits firmly in the middle. It's not as strong as the base narrative, and neither does it necessarily add anything to Aiden's journey. However, it does give a different view of the sprawling walled city. For those like myself who are experiencing Dying Light 2 for the first time, Bloody Ties adds a few more hours to the experience. Yet if you're looking for a reason to come back to Villedor, I'd personally wait for the next DLC package.
Rating 7/10
A code for Dying Light 2 and the Bloody Ties DLC was provided for this review.
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