Dying Light: Hellrunners was a bold new project by Techland that sought to reinvent the popular zombie survival franchise. According to insider reports, Hellrunners was designed to be a faster-paced, more brutal action game, stripping away many RPG elements to focus on intense combat, parkour, and survival horror.
A Return to Horror Roots
Techland wanted Hellrunners to bring back the raw horror tone from the original Dying Light, emphasizing a more chilling nighttime experience where zombies lurk in the shadows and attacks can come from anywhere. The combat was beefed up with a focus on brutal melee moves and adrenaline-pumping gunplay.
The game planned a more tactical approach to the zombie hordes with evolved AI, making the infected less predictable and more terrifying. Players would navigate environments using parkour, but also set traps and utilize stealth to survive.
Why Hellrunners Was Canceled
Despite its ambitious vision, Hellrunners was ultimately shelved as Techland decided to focus on other projects, including expansions for the existing Dying Light 2 and entirely new IPs like Horizon Steel Frontiers. Sources suggest the studio wanted to avoid fragmenting their player base and preferred to build on the success of ongoing titles.
Although canceled, many design elements and lessons from Hellrunners are believed to have influenced Dying Light 2’s ongoing development and upcoming content updates.
Legacy and Future
While players won’t get to experience Hellrunners, the game remains a fascinating ‘what if’ in Techland’s portfolio. The studio’s dedication to refined parkour mechanics, dynamic combat, and immersive horror survive in current releases and future projects.
Additionally, Techland continues to support their community with updates, and the success of Dying Light and its expansions underscore the franchise’s strong fanbase.
FAQs
What was Dying Light: Hellrunners?
An unreleased Techland project intended to be a hardcore, fast-paced zombie survival game focusing on brutal combat and horror atmosphere.
Why was it canceled?
Techland chose to prioritize existing projects and new IPs, avoiding splitting their resources and player base.
Did any ideas from Hellrunners make it into other games?
Yes, elements influenced Dying Light 2 and its expansions.
Is there any official footage or game material available?
Very little was publicly shown before cancellation, mostly insider leaks and rumors.
Will Techland revisit Hellrunners in the future?
No official word yet, but the franchise remains popular with fans eager for fresh content.
Conclusion
Dying Light: Hellrunners represents a fascinating chapter in Techland’s history, a glimpse at what might have been a darker, more intense addition to the beloved zombie series. Though it never launched, its legacy lives on through the continuing evolution of the franchise. Fans of zombie survival games can look forward to Techland’s future projects, which build on the solid foundation Hellrunners helped inspire.