Techland's Dying Light 2: Stay Human hides a secret challenge room Easter egg that pays homage to the genre-defining first-person shooter, DOOM, and its original developers from the 90s. Despite suffering from a troubled development cycle for almost a decade and being delayed twice, Dying Light 2 officially released on February 4 across consoles and PC. While being praised for its gameplay, its story elements have been criticized and many of its numerous technical issues have deemed it unplayable by many.
Easter Eggs have become a major staple in video games and the developers at Techland have taken the tradition to whole new levels over the years. While most games have a numbered amount of Easter eggs, Techland has added more than a handful in each title, ranging from references, hidden codes, weapons, and even entire levels, and Dying Light 2 is no different. Despite being out for only a week, players have already discovered numerous secrets and callbacks to other major franchises. Most recently, a pair of unique sneakers that allow players to triple jump has been uncovered in Dying Light 2 and are a cut-clear Super Mario reference, proving that the open-world of Villedor is full of more secrets and Easter eggs waiting to be discovered by those who are inquisitive.
Youtuber The Easter Egg Hunter showcased their discovery of what appears to be a well-hidden and complex Easter Egg that replicates DOOM's classic E1M1 level as a homage challenge room in Dying Light 2. Demonstrated in the 7-minute tutorial video, to unlock the secret DOOM level, players need to collect five demonic rubber ducks scattered and hidden around the title's map. Once collected players need to return to the building where the mission "broadcast" takes place and the previously closed off door will be unlocked, opening up a chamber below where the rubber ducks needs to be used and certain cables need to be connected. Once complete, players will be able to play through a homage remake of DOOM's classic E1M1 with pixelated graphics, 90s midi music, and the Ka Doom Shotgun.
Though the Easter egg appears to be nothing more than a challenge room dedicated to DOOM, another Youtuber has discovered that the secret level has an additional Easter egg. Found on the second floor of the secret level using a ladder, players can discover a note from Techland dedicated to the original developers of DOOM and id Software. The note thanks the team for inspiring them to create video games and ultimately signs off with Techland showing respect and gratitude.
id Software is credited with pioneering the first-person shooter genre with DOOM and continues to be an inspiration for many aspiring developers after almost three decades. The secret level is a perfect nostalgic throwback to the popular series, and it's likely, there are even more Easter eggs to be discovered in Dying Light 2's vast world.
Dying Light 2 is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Source: The Easter Egg Hunter/Youtube