Techland has just confirmed that Dying Light 2 Stay Human will launch on Switch next year, but it will not run natively on the platform and will only be available via the cloud. This surprising announcement comes from the latest Nintendo Direct that aired just a few hours.
The Switch is not as powerful as other platforms and hardware requirements will only increase as more developers start focusing on next-generation consoles. However, it seems like cloud technology will prove essential in masking that gulf in power. The cloud version of Hitman 3 was released on Switch earlier this year, and joined Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Control, and Resident Evil 7 Biohazard as big-budget cloud games on the platform. It is now confirmed that Dying Light 2 will be added to that list.
As expected, the cloud version of Dying Light 2 Stay Human will require a connection to high-speed internet at all times. It will be a fully featured edition of the game and will include 4-player online co-op. As of now, there is no information on how Dying Light 2 will run on the Switch, and if it will offer a 60 FPS performance mode like Hitman 3. Unfortunately, these cloud versions are only available in a very few select number of regions. Dying Light 2 was recently delayed to 2022, and that the Switch version will release alongside the official worldwide launch.
Techland also took the opportunity to confirm that Dying Light: Platinum Edition will be coming to Nintendo Switch on October 19. This version includes the original game and all of its DLC. Unlike Dying Light 2, the prequel will run natively on the Switch so players do not have to worry about losing connection to the internet.
While games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Doom have also released on the platform, albeit with compromises, a Switch version of Control was just not possible without the cloud. In addition to the graphics, all of the open-world systems that make up the unique selling point of Dying Light 2 probably require a lot of processing power.
It is great news that Switcher owners will be able to play the game in some way. Cloud technology is probably going to be utilized in demanding games until a more powerful successor to the Nintendo Switch releases. Contrary to rumors, the upcoming Nitendo Switch OLED Model does not offer any upgrades in raw power.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human is set to release on February 4, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
