Do Factions Affect the Ending in Dying Light 2?
The short answer is: not directly. While the choices you make regarding which faction controls specific facilities in Villedor significantly impact gameplay, the actual main story and multiple endings of Dying Light 2 are not determined by these assignments. Let’s dive deeper into this nuanced aspect of the game.
The Illusion of Faction Influence on the Ending
Many players believe, understandably so, that siding with either the Peacekeepers or the Survivors will drastically alter the ending they receive. After all, the game heavily emphasizes the ideological differences between these two groups, the military might of the Peacekeepers versus the parkour-focused freedom of the Survivors. The game even presents choices where you must support one over the other, such as the Water Tower in Old Villedor. Giving this structure to the Survivors initiates a mission that requires you to undermine the Peacekeepers.
However, this is where the illusion of influence comes into play. While choosing one faction does unlock specific rewards, like unique traversal options with Survivors or combat bonuses with Peacekeepers, these advantages do not change the fundamental narrative. You will still face the same key decisions and be presented with the same ending options regardless of your faction loyalty.
Gameplay Impact vs. Story Impact
It’s crucial to distinguish between gameplay impact and story impact. Choosing a faction does have a major impact on gameplay, altering the city’s appearance and offering distinct perks. For instance, the Peacekeepers tend to reinforce the city with traps and combat utilities, making fights against infected more strategic. Survivors, in contrast, build ziplines, trampolines, and other traversal tools, enhancing the parkour experience.
However, these are solely gameplay enhancements and do not translate into different story paths or alterations to the core narrative. Think of it as customizing the way you interact with the game world, not reshaping the overarching plot.
Choices That Actually Determine the Ending
Instead of faction assignments, specific choices you make throughout the game directly affect the ending you get in Dying Light 2. Here are the major decisions that shape the conclusion:
- The Fate of Hakon: Whether you kill or spare Hakon during your first encounters with him in Old Villedor is a critical choice. This affects whether he’ll be present as an ally or an adversary in later parts of the game.
- The Radio Tower and Frank: Choosing who receives control of the VNC Tower – Frank, Jack Matt, or Juan – is another crucial decision. Giving the tower to Frank is generally seen as a vital step towards the “best” possible ending.
- Mia and Lawan’s Fates: The decision of whether to save Mia or allow Lawan to sacrifice herself is perhaps the most pivotal choice affecting the ending. While Mia’s death is unavoidable in many scenarios, letting Lawan carry out the sacrifice in order to save the city leads to a more optimistic outcome.
- Trusting Matt or The Colonel: The choice of who to trust, Matt or The Colonel, impacts the events leading to X13 and how you eventually get to it.
- Saving Aitor: Whether you save Aitor or not, and how you do so, also has minor implications, but mainly in terms of the immediate quest line and your relationships with certain characters.
These are the critical junctures where your decisions determine which of the five endings you’ll experience. Focusing on these moments, rather than on the faction you’ve aligned with for area control, is key to shaping your desired ending.
The So-Called “Best” Ending
Many players strive for what is considered the “best” ending in Dying Light 2. This typically involves:
- Sparing Hakon.
- Giving the VNC Tower to Frank.
- Allowing Lawan to sacrifice herself to save the city, despite the inevitability of Mia’s death.
Choosing these options often leads to the most hopeful outlook for Villedor, although it comes with significant emotional sacrifices.
Faction Choices: Personalization, Not Narrative
The crucial takeaway is this: faction choices are about personalization. They are there to allow you to make your mark on Villedor, either transforming it into a safe haven patrolled by a strong military force (Peacekeepers) or a vibrant, traversable urban playground focused on the freedom and movement of its survivors. These choices are about how you experience the game world, rather than dictating how the story concludes.
Ultimately, Dying Light 2’s narrative power comes from its complex characters and their difficult choices. Don’t fret too much over your faction choices. Instead, make choices that align with your moral compass and how you envision Villedor’s future. The end result is not about who you choose to ally with, but who you choose to be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional clarity and insights:
1. Does assigning a station to Peacekeepers or Survivors affect the ending?
No, assigning facilities to either faction affects gameplay and the city’s visual layout, not the main story or the endings.
2. How many endings are there in Dying Light 2?
There are five distinct endings in Dying Light 2, based on the major choices you make.
3. Is it better to side with the Peacekeepers or Survivors?
Neither faction is inherently “better.” It depends on your preference for combat or traversal mechanics in the game.
4. What is the best faction to assign towers to in Dying Light 2?
The “best” faction is subjective and comes down to whether you prefer combat advantages (Peacekeepers) or enhanced parkour options (Survivors). The assignments do not affect the ending.
5. Is it possible to romance Lawan in Dying Light 2?
No, there is no romance system in Dying Light 2. However, your choices affect your relationship with her.
6. Are the Peacekeepers evil in Dying Light 2?
While the Peacekeepers are not inherently evil, their authoritarian approach and harsh tactics raise questions about their methods.
7. Should I save Aitor if I sided with the Survivors?
Yes, saving Aitor is generally recommended, regardless of your faction choice. The right choice is to give him the small petals from the Recluse Herb.
8. Is it better to give water to the Peacekeepers or Survivors?
Giving the Water Tower to the Survivors in Old Villedor kicks off a main story mission and begins you officially siding with the survivors for that area, but it does not affect the ultimate ending of the game.
9. Should I leave Frank or stay with him?
Staying with Frank is vital for unlocking the “best” ending in Dying Light 2.
10. Do I trust The Colonel or Matt?
Choosing to believe The Colonel will lead to Matt’s hatred for you, but if Frank is alive, the Nightrunners will help you during an ambush.
11. Is Mia really Aiden’s sister?
No, Mia is revealed to be Waltz’s daughter, and not related to Aiden.
12. Which ending in Dying Light 2 is canon?
Techland, the game developer, has intentionally not declared a “true” canon ending, leaving it up to player interpretation.
13. Should I save Lawan or detonate the bombs?
Saving Lawan is generally considered the “bad” ending, while allowing her sacrifice usually leads to the “good” ending for the city.
14. Should you tell Aitor’s wife about the witch?
No, avoid telling her about the healer. She’ll misinterpret it. Go straight to the healer (Margaret).
15. Can you save Birdie in Dying Light 2?
No, Birdie will die from his injuries regardless of your actions.