Bring on the nightmare.

• Author: Kesten, Lou
• Position: Living

Byline: Lou Kesten

'Dying Light'

1/2

Warner Bros., for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

$59.99

The undead in "Dying Light'' are a relatively laid-back bunch. During the daytime, they're mostly content to idly stumble about the city of Harran, catching some rays while they search for their next helping of human flesh.

But when the sun goes down, they become "volatile'' and will relentlessly chase down any warm-blooded human who crosses their path. Sure, you can stay indoors until dawn breaks -- but you haven't experienced "Dying Light'' until you're desperately fleeing through pitch-black alleys with a pack of tireless man-eaters on your tail.

"Dying Light'' is the latest adventure from the Polish studio Techland, best known for the 2011 thriller "Dead Island.'' The new game shares much of its predecessor's DNA: Once again, you're stuck in a hellhole teeming with infected former humans, with little to defend yourself other than flimsy sticks and broken pipes.

Still, there has been some evolution. The new protagonist, one Kyle Crane, has some radical parkour-inspired skills, which make running and jumping across the rooftops of Harran a smooth, at times exhilarating, experience. And when you get a chance to slow down, you can appreciate all the well-drawn details Techland has used to create a convincing, once-lived-in city.

The developers have also cleaned up their chaotic inventory and crafting systems, making it easier to build more effective weapons from the objects scattered around the slums. On the other hand, weapons still wear down awfully quickly; having your carefully assembled electrified cricket bat collapse in the middle of a melee remains frustrating.

The...