Discover all 18 main story missions and 20 side quests in Dying Light: The Beast. Complete quest list with tips for efficient progression through Castor Woods.
Kyle Crane’s return to the zombie-infested world brings a focused yet content-rich experience in Dying Light: The Beast. Set in the atmospheric Castor Woods, this standalone expansion packs an impressive amount of content into its compact design, featuring a substantial main campaign alongside plenty of optional activities to keep you engaged.
If you’re planning your playthrough or wondering just how much content awaits in this infected wilderness, you’ve come to the right place. The Beast offers a perfect balance of story-driven missions and optional exploration that rewards curious players with deeper lore and valuable rewards.
What to Expect from The Beast’s Mission Structure
Unlike the massive open-world approach of previous Dying Light entries, The Beast takes a more curated approach to content delivery. The 18 main story missions create a tight narrative arc that explores Kyle Crane’s transformation, while 20 side quests flesh out the world and provide additional context to the overarching story.
Mission Design Philosophy:
- Story missions focus on character development and major plot advancement
- Side quests reveal backstory and world-building details
- Optional activities reward exploration and mastery of game mechanics
- Racing challenges add variety to traditional zombie-slaying gameplay
This structure means you can mainline the story in a focused session or take your time exploring every corner of Castor Woods – both approaches offer satisfying experiences.
Complete Main Story Mission List
The main campaign follows Kyle Crane’s journey through Castor Woods, building toward revelations about his Beast transformation. Each mission introduces new gameplay elements while advancing the central narrative.
All 18 Main Story Quests:
Early Game Missions (Tutorial & Setup)
- Rise and Shine – Your awakening in Castor Woods
- Safe Haven – Establishing a base of operations
- Life After Life – Learning about your current situation
- The Beast Within – Introduction to Beast Mode mechanics
Mid-Game Development
- First Blood – First major combat encounters
- Power Gambit – Resource management and base building
- A New Strain – Discovering new infected types
- Vengeance Is Mine – Character motivation establishment
- Some Like It Dark – Nighttime survival introduction
- Secrets In The Air – Vertical exploration and parkour focus
Late Game Intensity
- Toxic Relationships – Environmental hazards and puzzles
- School’s Out – Large-scale combat encounters
- Requiem For A Scream – Emotional story beats
- One Flew Over The Volatiles’ Nest – High-stakes stealth mission
- Buried Truths – Major story revelations
- Cries Trapped In The Walls – Claustrophobic horror elements
Climax Missions
- The Bait And The Beast – Penultimate confrontation setup
- The Last Supper – Final story mission and resolution
The progression feels natural, with each mission building on previously learned mechanics while introducing new challenges. Early missions focus on survival basics, while later content tests your mastery of Beast Mode and advanced combat techniques.
Complete Side Quest Breakdown
The 20 side quests in The Beast serve multiple purposes – they provide additional XP for character progression, reveal fascinating backstory elements, and offer some of the game’s most creative scenarios.
All 20 Secondary Missions:
Character-Driven Stories
- What Lurks Beyond The Pines – Mystery investigation quest
- The Cable Guy – Technical problem-solving mission
- Dead Beats – Music-themed survival challenge
- Good Vibrations – Community relationship building
- Trouble In Paradise – Moral choice scenario
- Last Wish – Emotional character story
- Don’t Look Back In Anger – Revenge storyline
- Stay Human – Humanity preservation theme
- A Sign Of Hope – Optimistic community mission
Combat Challenge Series
- Killing Streak – Progressive combat challenges
- Killing Streak: Volume Two – Escalated difficulty
- Killing Streak: Volume Three – Advanced tactics required
- Killing Streak: Volume Four – Master-level encounters
- Killing Streak: Final Chapter – Ultimate combat test
Specialized Missions
- Hydro-Puzzle – Environmental puzzle solving
- Precious Cargo – Escort and protection mission
- Hunting Yaga – Boss encounter quest
- Chain Reaction – Cause-and-effect storyline
- For Your Mind Only – Stealth and infiltration focus
- The Fast And Fortunate – Racing and parkour challenge
The Killing Streak series deserves special mention – these five connected missions create a progressive difficulty curve that serves as an excellent skill check for players wanting to test their combat mastery.
Mission Progression Strategy
Optimal Completion Order: While side quests can be tackled in any order, some strategic considerations can enhance your experience:
- Complete side quests between main story missions for steady XP gains
- Tackle Killing Streak missions gradually as your skills improve
- Use character-driven side quests as palate cleansers between intense main missions
- Save challenging side content for when you need skill practice
Resource and Skill Synergy: Many side quests offer valuable rewards that complement main story progression. The XP and loot from secondary missions can make challenging main story segments significantly more manageable.
Beyond Traditional Missions
The Beast extends its content offering through additional activities that complement the core mission structure:
Additional Content Types:
- Collectible Hunts – Lore items scattered throughout Castor Woods
- Legendary Weapon Discoveries – Unique gear hidden in dangerous locations
- Racing Challenges – High-speed parkour courses through infected territory
- Environmental Puzzles – Logic challenges integrated into world exploration
These activities aren’t just filler content – they’re carefully designed to encourage exploration and mastery of the game’s movement systems.
Planning Your Playthrough
For Story-Focused Players: If you want to experience Kyle Crane’s narrative without distractions, the 18 main missions provide a complete, satisfying arc. Expect 8-12 hours of focused gameplay depending on difficulty and exploration habits.
For Completionist Players:
Tackling all main and side content extends the experience to 15-20 hours, with racing challenges and collectible hunting adding even more time for dedicated players.
Strategic Considerations:
- Side quest rewards often provide advantages for upcoming main missions
- Some secondary missions unlock after specific story progress
- Racing challenges offer unique rewards not available elsewhere
- Collectibles provide world-building context that enhances story appreciation
Integration with Progression Systems
The mission structure works hand-in-hand with the game’s progression mechanics. For optimal character development, consider these complementary guides:
- Essential Skills Guide – Unlock order for mission success
- XP Farming Methods – Accelerate progression between missions
- Resource Management – Fund your mission equipment needs
For newer players, our complete survival guide provides essential preparation for the more challenging story missions.
Content Longevity and Replayability
Single Playthrough Value: The Beast’s mission design encourages thorough exploration during your first playthrough. Many players find that the side quest quality rivals main story content, making completion feel rewarding rather than obligatory.
Replay Considerations:
While The Beast doesn’t feature traditional DLC expansion (the Deluxe Edition includes only cosmetic bonuses and the Survivalist SMG), the mission variety supports different playstyle approaches on subsequent runs.
Additional Activities:
- Lockpicking Challenges – Hidden throughout mission areas
- Equipment Upgrades – Ongoing progression system
- Multiplayer Features – Cooperative mission completion
Final Thoughts on Mission Design
The Beast strikes an impressive balance between focused storytelling and optional content depth. The 38 total missions (18 main + 20 side) provide substantial value without overwhelming players with busywork. Each quest feels purposeful, whether advancing the central narrative or enriching the world-building.
The developers clearly learned from previous entries, creating a mission structure that respects player time while offering meaningful choices about engagement depth. Whether you’re here for Kyle Crane’s story or want to explore every corner of Castor Woods, the content design supports your preferred approach.
Ready to dive deeper into specific aspects? Check out our comprehensive guides:
- Playtime expectations – Plan your gaming sessions
- Resource farming strategies – Support your mission progress
- Bonus content access – Maximize your rewards
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