Can You Save Buddy the Dog in Dying Light 2?
The heartbreaking scenario of a dying dog is a trope often used to evoke powerful emotions, and Dying Light 2 is no exception. The game presents players with a difficult choice, seemingly asking them to decide between two cruel outcomes for a canine companion. But is it truly a choice? Can you actually save Buddy the dog in Dying Light 2? The short and painful answer is: no, you cannot save Buddy.
The narrative of the dying dog is presented early in the game. Players are forced to confront a grim reality where regardless of their actions, the outcome for the dog is predetermined. You are given the illusion of choice with two options: “Leave the dog be” or “Put the dog out of its misery.” However, neither choice changes the dog’s fate. This is a key narrative element designed to highlight the harsh, often unforgiving world of Dying Light 2. The game aims to show players that not every situation has a happy resolution, even when you desperately want one.
This predetermined outcome emphasizes the game’s themes of loss, survival, and moral ambiguity. Instead of a simple save-the-day scenario, the player is forced to grapple with the harsh realities of this world. You are left with the knowledge that you are just a small part of a much larger, brutal world where even compassion is often met with the cold hand of fate. While the situation is emotionally gut-wrenching, it’s integral to the storytelling.
Why This Narrative Choice?
The inability to save the dog serves a crucial purpose in the narrative. It sets the tone for the game’s world, letting players know that Dying Light 2 is not about easy solutions. It creates a sense of unease and forces players to understand that their decisions might not always yield the results they hope for. It also highlights the struggle for survival and the constant loss that is part of the world’s fabric. The dog’s death isn’t just random cruelty; it’s a storytelling tool.
The absence of a positive resolution for the dog mirrors many of the difficult moral choices the player must make throughout the game. These difficult choices, such as whether to side with the Peacekeepers or the Survivors, whether to trust certain characters, and how to allocate vital resources, are the heart of Dying Light 2. The inability to save the dog is meant to evoke those emotions and to make the player think about their actions within this world.
Related FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to provide additional insights into Dying Light 2 and its mechanics:
1. What happens to Aiden after the main story?
Aiden’s fate after the main story depends on the choices you make during the game. There are multiple endings, with Aiden typically leaving the city, but whether he leaves alone, with Hakon, or with Lawan depends on those prior choices. One ending sees Aiden saving Lawan and leaving Villedor leveled by missiles. In another, Aiden allows Lawan to blow up the missiles before they launch, and then they both leave.
2. What do you do with the dog tags in Dying Light 2?
You can find dog tags throughout the game, and these are given to Cyra at the PK Floating Fortress, in the Wall of Valor room. This action completes the Wall of Valor – Bad Medicine side quests. You will receive rewards such as 3,000 Combat XP and 1,000 Agility XP. Dog tags such as Sierra, Little Ron and Kiddie can be given to her. You can also find the dog tag of an infected Leon which also completes this side quest.
3. Can you save Frank in Dying Light 2?
Yes, you can save Frank. Aiden needs to retrieve herbs from underwater and deliver them to Lawan, who can then heal Frank with them. This involves a specific mission sequence and successful completion of certain tasks, making saving Frank a rewarding experience.
4. What happens if you side with Juan in Dying Light 2?
Siding with Juan in Dying Light 2 unlocks a unique mission where you track down a contract and secure a bug, which allows you to spy on Matt later in the game. This decision changes your story path and the allies you align with.
5. How does the “True Friends” quest in Dying Light 2 work?
The “True Friends” quest involves making choices that affect relationships. Although there are dialogue options, many of the choices don’t drastically alter the story, but affect the immediate conversation and potential future interactions. Be mindful, however, some choices made may alter if you unlock the best ending or not.
6. Can you romance Thalia in Dying Light 2?
Yes, you can romance Thalia during the Book Club mission series. If you visit her apartment, you will have an intimate conversation and an option to sleep with her, which further develops this character. This adds a personal connection to the game beyond the main storyline.
7. Should you drink with Juan in Dying Light 2?
Whether you drink with Juan or refuse does not have a major impact on the game’s story or the quest’s outcome. Declining the drink will simply lead to a comment from Juan about not mixing business and romance. It’s a minor interaction with no significant repercussions.
8. Should you keep pressing Frank for the GRE key in Dying Light 2?
Pressing Frank for the GRE key does not change the story, the relationship with Frank, or affect the game’s ending. It is just a single conversation where your choice will have no consequence.
9. Why did Hakon betray Frank?
Hakon betrayed Frank because he was blackmailed by Waltz. Waltz threatened to kill Lawan if Hakon didn’t turn on Frank. This paints Hakon as a more conflicted character than just a typical villain, adding layers to his betrayal.
10. Should you trust the Colonel or Matt in Dying Light 2?
Choosing to trust the Colonel results in Matt vowing to kill you, and Peacekeepers will attempt to ambush you. If Frank has survived, the Nightrunners will come to your aid. Trusting the Colonel grants you access to Waltz’s quarters and transport to X13, this is part of main storyline progression.
11. Who actually killed Lucas in Dying Light 2?
Hakon was revealed to have killed Lucas. This betrayal, like his turn against Frank, is a critical plot point and is why some consider him as an antagonist. If you let Hakon live he will show up multiple times throughout the story and influence it greatly.
12. Is Mia actually Aiden’s sister in Dying Light 2?
No, Mia is not Aiden’s sister. She is Waltz’s daughter. Aiden learns this truth later in the game. This reveal dramatically shifts his understanding of their relationship and his own history and is a key part of the plot twist.
13. What should you not sell in Dying Light 2?
Avoid selling even weaker weapons. You might quickly go through multiple weapons in parts of the game, so having a backup arsenal is essential. Keeping weapons, even the lesser ones, can be beneficial in the long run and help you survive longer.
14. What does the evil duck do in Dying Light 2?
The five Black Ducks are used for unlocking the Doom Easter Egg located in the VNC Tower. These are hidden throughout the game and are part of a larger hidden side mission.
15. How do you get the best ending in Dying Light 2?
To achieve the best ending (the Lawan Ending) you need to: spare Hakon in Old Villedor, give the radio tower to Frank, save Frank in Breakthrough, spare Hakon and stop Lawan from killing him in No Mercy, and allow Lawan to detonate the bombs in X13. Following this combination of choices is crucial to unlocking the best possible resolution in the game.
In conclusion, while the inability to save Buddy the dog is heartbreaking, it serves as a potent reminder of the harsh realities of the world in Dying Light 2. It sets the tone for the game’s narrative and highlights the moral choices you’ll need to make. It’s a tragic event, but ultimately, it’s a critical part of the overall experience.