Should You Fight Hakon or Give Him the Key in Dying Light 2?

The pivotal moment in Dying Light 2 when you must decide whether to fight Hakon or give him the GRE key is a significant turning point with lasting consequences. This decision isn’t just a simple moral choice; it fundamentally alters the trajectory of your game, impacting relationships, story progression, and ultimately, the ending you achieve. So, should you fight Hakon, or give him the key?

The short, but crucial answer is: You should give Hakon the key.

While both options lead to an initial fight with the Renegades, choosing to fight Hakon himself closes off crucial story pathways. Saving Hakon is essential for accessing the “best” ending and unlocking other significant content. Let’s delve into the specifics of why this seemingly counterintuitive choice is the correct one.

The Immediate Consequences

Regardless of your choice, the immediate result is the same: you’ll face a wave of Renegades. This is a challenging combat encounter, but ultimately, it’s a hurdle that must be overcome. The critical difference lies in what happens after this fight.

Choosing to Fight Hakon

Selecting this option has profound repercussions. If you choose to fight Hakon, you will permanently lose the opportunity to save him later in the game. This is crucial because:

• You lose access to the sniper mission: This important side quest relies on Hakon’s survival, preventing you from experiencing this part of the game.
• You can’t achieve the best ending: The “best” ending in Dying Light 2 is intricately tied to Hakon’s survival and subsequent actions.
• You lose a key ally: Hakon, despite his morally grey actions, is a significant character who can provide aid and context to the story.

In essence, fighting Hakon prematurely seals off a large portion of the game’s depth and potential rewards.

Choosing to Give Hakon the Key

Giving Hakon the key initially might feel like you’re giving in, but it’s the strategic choice for long-term gain. Even though the Renegades will come after you no matter what, making this choice preserves the possibility to build a relationship with Hakon. This is critical for:

• Accessing the sniper mission: You’ll be able to play this side quest later on, which provides important context and rewards.
• Achieving the best ending: This requires keeping Hakon alive, which is only possible if you don’t fight him during this initial encounter.
• Potential allies and a more complex story: You maintain the possibility of interacting with Hakon throughout the rest of the story, giving you further narrative layers.

While it might seem beneficial to dispose of him early, the long-term benefits of sparing him far outweigh the short-term satisfaction of engaging him in battle.

The Bigger Picture: Why Saving Hakon Matters

Hakon’s character is complex and, frankly, difficult to trust at times. He’s a character often associated with betrayal and morally questionable actions. However, keeping him alive provides narrative depth and gives you a chance to see his arc unfold. The consequences of killing him are more far-reaching than they might seem at first glance.

Relationships and Story Arcs

Dying Light 2 is not just about surviving; it’s about relationships. Developing relationships with key characters, like Hakon, is central to the story’s complexities. If you’re aiming for a fulfilling game experience with the potential to achieve the “best” ending, saving Hakon is non-negotiable.

The Best Ending

The “best” ending in Dying Light 2 is dependent on several choices throughout the game, but sparing Hakon is consistently a crucial factor. By keeping him alive, you open up opportunities to:

• Save Lawan: This is arguably a key aspect of the “best” ending.
• Ensure the safety of Villedor (or its best possible outcome): The consequences of your choices ripple through the city’s fate.

FAQs: Further Clarity on Hakon’s Fate

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Hakon choice, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

1. Is Hakon a good guy?

Hakon is a morally ambiguous character. He’s not outright evil, but he’s not a hero either. He is a survivor, driven by his own goals. He’s certainly not the “good guy” but he is complex, and his actions provide a lot to the plot.

2. What happens if I let Hakon die?

If Hakon dies, you lose access to his associated side quests, including the sniper mission. You will also be unable to achieve the “best” ending and will be locked out of certain story content.

3. Does Hakon betray you?

Hakon does reveal that he killed Lucas, which may feel like a betrayal. However, there is further nuance to the story that becomes clearer if Hakon lives and you learn more about his motivations.

4. Is it possible to save Hakon later?

Yes, if you choose to give him the key during this initial encounter, you will have further opportunities to save him later in the game.

5. Why is Hakon’s survival essential for the best ending?

Hakon’s survival is a crucial part of the chain of events that leads to the best ending. The story hinges on multiple choices, but keeping Hakon alive is a consistent requirement.

6. What is the sniper mission that is unlocked by saving Hakon?

The sniper mission is a side quest that becomes available later if you keep Hakon alive, allowing the player to develop the story and earn some additional in-game rewards.

7. Can I get the “Hakon ending” if I kill him early?

No, the “Hakon ending,” where you leave with him, is impossible if Hakon dies. Both the “best” and “Hakon” endings rely on him being alive.

8. Does the choice affect my relationship with Lawan?

Yes, Lawan’s reaction to Hakon’s fate is central to her story arc. Killing Hakon will cause her to not feel satisfied and may lead to her sacrifice at the end of the game. Keeping him alive is a factor in her own survival.

9. What if I tell Hakon that I don’t want to fight?

If you choose not to fight Hakon, he’ll sit down, but Lawan will enter and target him. At this point, you will have another pivotal choice to make.

10. Is Hakon’s death tied to the “bad” ending?

Yes, Hakon’s death is one of the factors leading to the “bad” ending, alongside other crucial decisions in the game.

11. Can I avoid fighting Hakon in the church?

You can avoid the fight in the church by ignoring this side quest and meeting Hakon later with Lawan. However, this does not change the necessity to spare him at some point to have him survive and get the best ending.

12. How do I get the “best” ending?

To get the “best 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 let Lawan detonate the bombs in X13.

13. Is Mia actually Aiden’s sister?

No. It’s revealed that Mia is actually Waltz’ daughter and that she is not related to Aiden.

14. Should I side with Peacekeepers or Survivors?

This is primarily a gameplay style choice. Survivors are better for players who want to explore rooftops and prefer to avoid fights, while Peacekeepers are for those who prefer combat.

15. Is leaving with Hakon a good ending?

The “Hakon ending” is a morally grey ending. While you leave the city with him, Villedor is destroyed and almost everyone you know has died. It’s considered a controversial ending for this reason.

Conclusion

The choice between fighting Hakon or giving him the key might seem straightforward initially, but the repercussions ripple throughout the entire game. Choosing to give Hakon the key is undeniably the better option, opening paths to side quests, a more detailed story, and, crucially, the “best” ending of Dying Light 2. While he might be morally ambiguous, his continued existence is fundamental to the full Dying Light 2 experience. Choosing to keep him alive is the best way to experience all that the story has to offer.