Kyle Crane’s Ghost in the City: Unraveling the Mentions in Dying Light 2
Yes, Kyle Crane is indeed mentioned in Dying Light 2, despite not making a physical appearance. While the protagonist of the first Dying Light is absent from the sequel, his legacy and fate are woven into the narrative through subtle references, character dialogue, and environmental storytelling. These nods to Crane serve to connect the two games, acknowledging the events of Harran and hinting at the tragic consequences of his actions.
Kyle Crane’s Lingering Presence: How He’s Remembered
Although Kyle Crane doesn’t directly feature in Dying Light 2, his name and deeds are brought up by various characters throughout the game. These mentions range from brief acknowledgments to more substantial hints about his demise and his role in the downfall of the world.
Spike’s Remembrance
One of the most prominent mentions comes from Spike, who is Aiden’s traveling companion and was also a supporting character in the first Dying Light. During the opening moments of Dying Light 2, Spike directly refers to Crane, his tone suggesting that he believes Crane is dead. While not outright stating it, the context strongly implies that Crane met a tragic end. This immediately establishes a connection to the past and highlights the gravity of the situation, as one of Crane’s closest allies now believes him to be lost.
Whispers of a Tragic Fate
Beyond Spike, several other NPCs make passing references to Crane, often shrouded in mystery. They speak of a hero from the past, who may have been responsible for both saving and damning the world. These casual conversations paint a picture of Crane as a figure of myth and legend, someone who was once a beacon of hope but ultimately contributed to the spread of the virus. These mentions highlight the ambiguous nature of Crane’s actions and their lasting impact on the world of Dying Light.
Environmental Storytelling and Easter Eggs
The developers at Techland have also embedded subtle environmental easter eggs and references to Kyle Crane throughout Dying Light 2. These are often hidden in locations that require exploration and keen observation. The most notable is a memorial dedicated to the hero of the first game. This act of remembrance further cements the notion that Crane is no longer among the living, and that his actions in Harran continue to impact the present-day world.
The Implication of Crane’s Infection
Interestingly, it’s indirectly implied that Kyle Crane became an infected individual, and potentially even a highly mutated form of infected, similar to the character ‘The Mother’ from Dying Light. This theory adds a sinister dimension to Crane’s legacy, suggesting that his attempt to escape Harran may have ultimately led to the virus’s expansion beyond the city. Further, it’s been suggested that he mutated into the Night Hunter, a unique and powerful kind of infected. The confirmation by Dying Light 2 lead level designer Piotr Pawlaczyk on a developer stream that Crane did become infected and spread the Harran Virus to the rest of the world is a significant revelation, further cementing the tragic consequences of Crane’s actions in the original game.
Why Isn’t Kyle Crane a Main Character?
The decision not to include Kyle Crane as a major character in Dying Light 2 is deliberate. The developers emphasized that Dying Light 2 is Aiden’s story, and bringing Crane back would likely undermine Aiden’s journey and character development. Allowing the focus to remain on Aiden enables the sequel to establish its own identity and not be overshadowed by the events and characters of the original Dying Light.
In essence, Kyle Crane’s legacy acts as a backdrop for the events of Dying Light 2. His actions and their consequences have shaped the world Aiden now inhabits, providing context and motivation for the new story. He’s not present, but his ghost haunts every infected street and every conversation, reminding players of the heavy cost of survival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Kyle Crane a zombie in Dying Light 2?
While not explicitly stated, it’s heavily implied that Kyle Crane transformed into a unique type of infected, potentially a powerful, sentient being akin to “The Mother”. This suggests his infection was more than typical.
2. Is Kyle Crane Aiden?
No, Kyle Crane is not Aiden. Despite their shared love for baseball caps and similar abilities, they are distinct characters. Aiden is the protagonist of Dying Light 2, with his own unique backstory and motivations.
3. Did Kyle Crane spread the virus?
Yes, it has been confirmed by the developers that Kyle Crane, now an infected, was the one responsible for spreading the Harran Virus beyond the city. This revelation changes how we view the ending of Dying Light and paints Crane’s actions in a more tragic light.
4. Did Kyle Crane become the Night Hunter?
It is strongly implied that Kyle Crane did become the Night Hunter, a unique type of apex predator. This is not the standard volatile, but a more sentient and dangerous mutation.
5. Is Kyle Crane in Dying Light 1?
Yes, Kyle Crane is the main protagonist of Dying Light 1 and its expansion The Following. He is a government agent sent to Harran, who ultimately becomes deeply involved in the fight for survival.
6. Why did Kyle Crane turn into a zombie?
Crane was bitten by a zombie early in the game, becoming infected. However, with the help of an Antizin shot, he was able to delay the transformation but eventually succumbed as implied by the storyline in Dying Light 2.
7. Is Kyle Crane alive or dead?
The most probable outcome is that Kyle Crane is dead as it is heavily implied in the events of Dying Light 2 and implied with the ‘Nuclear Ending’ of the first game. His fate is left somewhat ambiguous, allowing for speculation, but the overall picture is of his tragic end.
8. Where can I find a Crane reference in Dying Light 2?
A memorial can be found in Dying Light 2 as an Easter egg for the character Kyle Crane, on the upper left side of the map, on the ride side of the crane structure, you can see a suspended crate.
9. What is Kyle Crane’s real name?
Kyle Crane’s voice actor is Roger Craig Smith. This is his real-life name, while Kyle is the name of the character.
10. Why did Kyle Crane turn into a volatile?
Kyle Crane did not become a regular volatile. It is suggested that he transformed into a sentient form, the Night Hunter, after possibly interacting with a modified cure.
11. What nationality is Kyle Crane?
In the game, Kyle Crane is portrayed as an American.
12. Was Harran nuked in Dying Light 2?
While the fate of Harran is not explicitly shown in Dying Light 2, the implication is that it was not nuked in the canon ending. The spread of the virus, heavily implied to have been caused by Kyle Crane, would have been impossible if it was the ‘Nuclear Ending’ of the first Dying Light that was canon.
13. Will Crane return in Dying Light 2?
No, Kyle Crane does not make a physical return in Dying Light 2 as a playable character. His story has been concluded, and the focus has shifted to a new protagonist, Aiden.
14. Does Spike know Crane?
Yes, Spike is one of Kyle Crane’s closest allies in Dying Light 1, and he remembers him fondly 20 years later in the events of Dying Light 2.
15. What ending is canon for Dying Light?
The canon ending is heavily implied to be the Infected Ending, as the virus has spread and is central to the plot of Dying Light 2. The ‘Nuclear Ending’ would have prevented the widespread outbreak.